Hotel UR Portofino

An immediately striking feature of the UR Portofino Hotel is its bright teal facade, which makes the property easy to spot. Stepping inside, the scene is more eclectic -- think hardwood floors, traditional neutral-tone furnishings, and some Middle Eastern Touches, plus a black piano. Another interesting touch is the bookshelf trompe l'oeil wallpaper behind the black granite front desk. 

The lobby is open-plan with both dining and lounge areas, while walls are adorned with an annually changing gallery of original artworks. Built in 1965, the hotel comprises guest rooms spread between two buildings, with the sunny pool terrace situated inbetween. Proximity to the airport means the whole property is prone to frequent though low-level jet engine noise. Clientele lean toward older couples -- mostly Scandinavian, German, and British -- as well as the occasional family and group booking. 

The hotel is located in the Ciudad Jardin area of the El Coll d'en Rabassa district, positioned between the main airport and the island's capital, Palma de Mallorca. It's a relatively quiet, mostly residential neighborhood that stands out for its abundance of seafood restaurants (including one of the island's most loved, Can Fernando Restaurant). Another local highpoint is its long stretch of sandy beach which is literally steps from the hotel. The pretty bay and former fishing village of Portixol is about 10 minutes' drive away, while the picturesque cobbled streets and Gothic cathedral of Palma's Old Town are around 15 minutes. Seafront bicycle paths also connect directly to the center in around 20 minutes. The hotel's position puts its within easy road access of the Palma Aquarium and Mallorca Airport, both under 10 minutes by car. 

There are 66 rooms in all, spread across two buildings and six categories that include Family Rooms. Interiors are simply styled to the point of feeling sparse, with white- or cream-painted walls, brown carpeted floors, and basic, white modern furnishings. Some rooms have charcoal-gray accent walls, but otherwise the only color comes in the form of orange- or rust-colored headboards and bed runners. Standard rooms are undeniably small though upgraded rooms generally offer more space, and some have balconies with (lateral or frontal) sea views. A few rooms also open to spacious terraces with loungers overlooking the pool. 

Amenities are the same regardless of room type, and include small flat-screen TVs (with one English-speaking channel and no pay-per-view movies), electronic safes, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. There are no coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are functional, with walk-in showers (no tubs), hotel-branded toiletries, and modern wall-mounted hairdryers. Soundproofing keeps airplane noise to a minimum. Room service is available from morning until night. 

The Restaurant Arrecife is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving mainly Mediterranean-inspired dishes, which can be enjoyed alfresco on the rear-poolside or front terrace. There are two bars: one in the restaurant, and the other on the fifth floor with lovely sunset and sea views and regular live music (though only open seasonally). The hotel's unheated pool is just about long enough for a swim, surrounded by poolside loungers and a small, separate kids' pool. The pool terrace gets sun for most of the day and is rarely crowded (due to the nearby beach). While the hotel lacks fitness or spa facilities, bike hire is available on-site and seafront bicycle paths are just outside. There are two computers and a printer available for guest use in the lobby. Reliable Wi-Fi is free throughout.