Seramar Luna Luna Park

Comprising two compounds, the Hotel Luna and the Hotel Luna Park, this property can accommodate up to 1,000 guests and mainly draws Europeans (mostly Germans, many in their 20s) seeking a budget-friendly all-inclusive beach holiday. A plain red facade gives way to a simple lobby with dark-wood paneling on the front desk and floors, with a few brown couches and black leather massage chairs. Hallways are painted bright yellow and feel a bit fresher, with potted plants in the well-lit wood stairwells. This is the kind of place where people go for sun and large, unlimited quantities of food and alcohol: the bar opens early, so it's not uncommon to see guests drinking poolside by mid-morning. In the evening, the drink service continues, often accompanied by poolside live music or some type of animated performance. The sheer size of the hotels makes them suitable for families, couples, and groups of friends, though the business set or travelers in search of a more upscale experience would not find it ideal.

The Luna and Luna Park hotel compound is located in the area of El Arenal, a southeastern pocket of Mallorca which saw its heyday in the '60s and '70s. Today, it is known for being the bastion of German tourists in Mallorca, with many restaurants and nightclubs in the area offering German menus and employing German-speaking staff. The area is lively, surrounded by souvenir shops and well-served by local public buses which go to major tourist hubs like Aqualand (15-minute bus or five minutes by car) and The Palma Aquarium (40-minute bus or 10 minutes by car). Otherwise, the setting is devoid of all local culture and somewhat run-down. The most redeeming factor of El Arenal is that it's right on the ocean, and has a huge white sandy beach with beautiful waters (a five-minute walk) -- though it is typically very crowded. Palma City is about 20 minutes away by car, and the airport is a 15-minute trip. In terms of convenience, the hotel has an advantage. Very well-connected by the local bus system, it offers easy, inexpensive transportation to the airport, the City of Palma, and theme parks like Aqualand. To move more liberally around the island and sample its countless coves, charm-filled towns, and Mallorca's famed lighthouse, however, it is necessary to rent a car.

Singles, Doubles, and Doubles with an extra bed are available. Though the hotel's website says that it was renovated in 2013, some rooms retain the '70s-era vibe with tube televisions and knotty pine touches. Of the two compounds, the Standard Rooms at the Luna Park seem to be slightly more modern, with flat-screen TVs -- although the curtains still resemble something that Julie Andrews might have used to make dresses for the von Trapp family. All rooms have air-conditioning and balconies with views of the sea or pine forest. Decor includes red or blue polyester bedspreads, simple wood furniture, and tile floors. Bathrooms in both compounds are overwhelmingly white and reminiscent of a hospital, with either shower/tub combos or glass-walled stall showers; hairdryers are not provided, and some bathrooms lack electrical outlets. Some guests have complained about cleanliness issues. Use of the safes incurs a hefty fee. 

Built to service large groups of guests at a time, The Luna and Luna Park have a total of two pools, two buffet-style restaurants, a snack bar, as well as plenty of vending machines. The bar closes around 11 p.m. -- too early for some. A large game room includes pinball, billiards, air hockey, and table tennis -- however, there are no special activities for kids. The property can get very crowded, and unlike at the competing Sun Club Eldorado, neither of the pools has ocean views.