Sol Cala d’Or by Melia Apartamentos

It's hard to find fault with the Sol Cala d'Or Apartments. Spread over a series of crisply painted white buildings that are very typical of the Cala D'Or area of Mallorca, they charm with a sunny, summer carefree spirit. The lobby is thoughtfully decorated with local bits of art, books, and beautiful tile mosaics that showcase the local character. As this hotel belongs to the Sol chain, the more budget-friendly end of the luxury Meliá hotel chain, service is taken very seriously, and cleanliness is guaranteed. Expect to see families with young children and mid-age couples lounging and reading by the pool. This hotel smells like the sea and is essentially a mini Mediterranean oasis surrounded by crystal waters and lush tropical gardens.  

The property is a three-minute walk from Cala d'Or, a beautiful cove of calm, crystalline waters that can get quite crowded in peak months. The surrounding area is very lively -- set up with bars, restaurants, and touristy shops that cater to guests from the many resorts in the area. Two other coves -- Cala Gran and Cala Ferrera -- are under a 15-minute walk away, and with their more vibrant shades of blue, are worth a stroll to check out. Central Palma and the Palma Airport are both an hour away by car, but the lovely towns of Satanyí, Porto Colom, and Porto Cristo can all be reached in roughly 30 minutes. 

Rooms at the Sol Cala d'Or Apartments are more than one might expect from a typical three-pearl hotel. Decorated in a light shade of pistachio, they feel homey, and details like rounded archways between the rooms add a pinch of elegance. The kitchenette is impressively modern, with its new white cabinets and immaculate granite countertop. Everything from the oven, stovetop, microwave, fridge, toaster, and salad spinner is new and spotless, and a huge furnished patio that leads into a leafy garden makes a nice spot to dine outdoors. Even the bathrooms have not been overlooked  -- sleek gray accent walls and new chrome showerheads in the shower/tub combo all give the impression that this is more than the average value hotel. 

As far as the amenities expected of a three-pearl hotel in Mallorca, the Sol Cala d'Or Apartments have it all. The pool is huge and eye-catching, with a centerpiece of floating urns that really makes it pop from the landscape. There's a sandy playground and some ping-pong areas for children, as well as a large kids' pool. Adults can drink, dine, and snack at the many terraces, or wander through the nicely landscaped grounds.