Protur Palmeras Playa Hotel

A natural stone pond with a fountain marks the driveway to the otherwise anonymous-looking Protur Palmeras Playa. While the office-block geometry of its facade is initially hardly welcoming, the lobby is bright and spacious, with enough jazzy-print fabrics and plants in plastic pots to create an inviting arrival experience. Practically the whole hotel (minus the pool area) benefitted from a makeover in 2011, and it shows, with smart and modern interiors throughout. The property comprises three eight-story interconnected blocks built in a U-shape overlooking the often lively central pool terrace -- a pleasant space dotted with tall palm trees, but prone to morning and late afternoon shade. The fully all-inclusive, resort-style hotel primarily attracts customers booking through British travel agencies, who tend to be families with kids over the summer months and older couples later in the year. We spotted several mobility scooters parked in the reception area on our fall 2017 visit. 

The hotel is located the small and relatively quiet purpose-built resort of Sa Coma, on the far eastern coast of Majorca. The town's long and pretty stretch of sand is just a block from the property and a couple minutes away on foot. Although very busy during peak season, the beach is large enough to not feel overcrowded. Protur Palmeras Playa is a family-friendly resort, there's but a huge amount of nightlife in the area, though a main strip of low-key bars and restaurants is also just two or three minutes' walk. The nearby Cala Millor is a little livelier and a five-minute drive up the coast, while other local attractions include a Safari Zoo and the Drach Caves (both about a 10-minute drive). The location is one of the more remote on the island, at least an hour's drive from the capital of Palma, and from Palma de Mallorca Airport.  

The 215 guest rooms have a similar look, about half of which have sliding doors that separate lounges from the bedroom areas while the others are more open-plan. Rooms are spacious and, thanks to the 2011 renovations, feel suitably smart and fairly modern; gray wood-effect flooring combines with real wood furniture, striped fabrics, and contemporary art prints. All but a handful of rooms open to small furnished balconies overlooking the pool. Corner rooms have an extra terrace, though some past guests complain that rooms near the outdoor stage can be noisy during the evening entertainment.

Amenities include 26-inch flat-screen TVs with a good range of UK-based channels (including a kids' channel), plus Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout, though it can be a little hit and miss in rooms. Mini-fridges and coffee- and tea-making facilities also come as standard, and safes are available for a charge. Bathrooms are clean and contemporary, with rainfall walk-in showers with removable showerheads, heated towel racks, wall-mounted hairdryers, and hotel-branded toiletries. 

The freeform outdoor swimming pool is a little small for the size of the hotel, though with the beach nearby it rarely feels overcrowded (and a side door opening directly to the street means easy beach access). There's a separate section for younger bathers, and the surrounding sun terraces are lined with plentiful and comfy loungers. Also poolside is a whirlpool tub for up to six at a time, plus there's a bar serving drinks and snacks throughout the day. But because the terrace is surrounded by tall accommodation blocks, at least part of it is usually in the shade. 

An animation program runs six days a week, with activities such as darts, ping-pong, and shuffleboard, though there's little in the way of sports facilities. A free kids' club, however, is available from the ages of four to 12, with free access to a play park in the nearby Club Protur complex included. There are no spa facilities on-site, though there is a small gym, but it only has a few pieces of equipment. Guests receive discounted access to the impressive spa at the Protur Biomar, a 15-minute walk away.

Most meals are served in the hotel's cheerful dining room, which opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, served buffet style with live cooking and wok stations. There's no a la carte options, though consensus is that food is generally good quality with enough daily variation. Instant coffee and juice machines operate during breakfast, and for lunch and dinner beer, wine, and various soft drinks are self-service. The poolside bar offers a buffet in warmer weather, and during colder months, an indoor bar provides the same. Evening entertainment is generally decent enough tribute acts, with some comedy, bingo, and quizzes thrown in.  

The all-inclusive plan covers a buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with live cooking and self-service drinks including beer and wine. A continental breakfast is available at the poolside bar, with snacks such as sandwiches, ice cream, and assorted cakes on offer for the rest of the day. Local spirits, wine, beer, and premixed cocktails are served until midnight, though premium beverages and other cocktails cost extra. Guests also have one visit per stay at the nearby Italian restaurant, Verona, which has a pizza and pasta buffet. Wi-Fi throughout, animation, entertainment, and kids' club are covered, though there's a charge for in-room safes.