"Location to the airport:
Our transfer took around about 1 hour and that included a number of drop offs. This was expected as I knew that the area was not close to the hotel, the bus was cool and clean.
Reception
The reception area is beautiful and smells lovely, it is full air conditioned. Check-in can be lengthy; however, this is due to the staff taking the time to explain everything they can. The conversation is helpful and informative. Staff are always willing to help, whether that's booking taxis or reserving a table at the BBQ restaurant. There are two spaces near reception which house books which can be taken, there is also a TV room however we did not sit in there.
Wi-Fi:
There is WIFI available but it is mostly in communal areas we could not access it in our room which was number 358, not an issue for us as we just used our mobile data.
Rooms
We booked a standard double room without a pool view. Before travelling, I emailed to ask whether a complimentary upgrade might be possible; unfortunately, it wasn't.
The AI wristband acts as the room key, which is great. Our room was small but had a double bed and a fridge. We did not have tea and coffee-making facilities; however, we were aware of this when booking and didn't need them.
Following check-in, the fridge contained two bottles of water, but these were not restocked during our stay. We simply got water from the pool bar and kept it in the fridge instead.
The bathroom was lovely; however, on the first day we accidentally flooded the floor by turning the shower on too much. We were more careful for the remainder of our stay and didn't have any further issues.
Air conditioning: The air con in reception was a welcome reprieve from the sun during the day, the air con in the room however was not as effective. I did not feel like I was melting whilst in there but it could have been colder. The air was only really apparent when stood underneath the vent.
Housekeeping
Housekeeping attended the room every day and, for the most part, it was cleaned well. We were given some dirty towels on one occasion, but they were quickly replaced when we mentioned it.
The complimentary toiletries were fine. There was also a small card displaying the housekeeper's name, which we used to indicate that we had left a tip.
Pool Area
Everybody is right about the sunbeds. They are almost always reserved by 8:30am, and it often seems as though nobody uses them until much later in the day.
The pool deck is quite small, and the sunbeds are positioned very close together. One morning, we went to Alcúdia and didn't reserve a sunbed as we weren't returning until 1pm. We managed to find one sunbed for our belongings and simply waited for other holidaymakers to leave, which they eventually did.
The pool is smaller than the pictures suggest. The beanbags are popular, although they do have an unpleasant smell.
The pool walls often had moss or algae growing on them, despite staff cleaning the pool every evening. This may be due to the type of pool it is, but honestly, it isn't pleasant to see when you're swimming.
The fountain comes on at 12:30pm for half an hour and, while it looks nice, it can be a nuisance as you are likely to get soaked.
Entertainment: There is a full timetable listed in the reception area but we do not typically engage in activities during the day, my partner played darts a couple of times and enjoyed it. The nighttime entertainment was good, we saw a couple of shows. The only thing to note is the area is outside which can still be hot at night- I only mention this as other hotels I have stayed in have had air conditioned theatres.
Tips
If you Google tipping culture in Majorca, you'll probably find that tipping isn't necessary. However, there are tip jars throughout the hotel, so tips are clearly appreciated.
Our previous holidays have been in Mexico, where tipping is very common, so we had budgeted for tips and found that the staff were grateful for them.
Drinks quality: The drinks were all lovely, top shelf spirits were used and was coke for mixers. House wine was nice enough also. There are also cans of Strongbow available which are nice and we did take some to the room and kept them in the fridge.
Pool Bar
The pool bar opens at 10:30am, and each guest can order two drinks at a time. The menu is extensive and includes ice creams such as Magnum and Cornetto, which are included on the all-inclusive package.
The cocktail of the day is also included. Some items are not covered by the all-inclusive package but can be purchased with a 50% discount. Be aware that the iced coffee is more like an affogato, as it comes with ice cream.
There is no poolside drinks service; however, staff do regularly come around to collect empty glasses.
We didn't eat at the lunch buffet by the pool, as we preferred eating in the indoor dining room for a break from the heat, but the food looked good.
We did try several items from the snack menu, which starts at 3pm, including toasties, pizza and fries throughout our stay. Everything was very tasty, and I'd definitely recommend it.
Buffet
The buffet can be very busy at breakfast and dinner, as half-board guests also dine there. Staff do not seat guests, so once you've found a table there may be a short wait before someone takes your drinks order.
The food was tasty and varied. There was always a rice dish, such as paella, as well as themed options, which during our stay included chicken gyros, sushi and burgers.
Many of the reviews mentioning that the food isn't always piping hot are accurate, although there is a microwave available. This didn't affect our meals, as the hotel was busy and food was replenished frequently.
The pizza was exceptional. There were a few days when tuna pizza was served, which isn't to my taste, but the other varieties were delicious. It was probably the best pizza we've had at an all-inclusive resort.
Comments about chilled foods not always being properly chilled are also fair. Occasionally, the cheese looked a little sweaty, but again, items were replenished regularly.
The desserts were always plentiful and delicious, with lots of fresh fruit and ice cream available.
BBQ Restaurant
The BBQ restaurant is offered as an alternative to the evening buffet. Reception booked us in twice during our stay, and we thoroughly enjoyed it both times.
The restaurant isn't located within the main hotel building. It's across the road at the rear of the pool area, but it's only a short walk away.
The buffet includes a variety of grilled meats such as steak, chicken, burgers, pork and vegetables. There is also a salad bar indoors, although it isn't as extensive as the one in the main restaurant.
Once seated, the host may offer premium cuts of meat for an additional charge. My partner chose a T-bone steak for €35. He said it was cooked well and tasted excellent, although it was enormous and left him very full, a nice problem to have!
When the BBQ restaurant isn't operating, the area is used as a bar. We didn't spend much time there because it is close to a body of natural water and my partner tends to get bitten by insects quite badly.
Bar
The main bar is located near to reception and opens at 6pm, it is a wider range of drinks on the menu including more cocktails such as Zombie- these were very tasty. Staff do take drinks orders in the bar however it is sometimes quicker to go to the bar yourself. The staff can seem like they do not want to be there but they have probably been at work since 10:30am as we saw the same staff throughout the day.
General Area
The hotel is located in a fairly residential area; however, the beach, along with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars, is only a short walk away if you want to explore beyond the hotel.
We went for a walk most mornings and even noticed a nearby padel court, although we didn't play. Overall, it's a lovely area that feels very safe to walk around.
Overall, we had a lovely stay and felt the hotel offered good value for money. The staff were hardworking and friendly, the food was varied, and the location was great for exploring the local area. The issues with sunbed reservations and the condition of parts of the pool were frustrating, but they didn't spoil our holiday. We would happily return and would recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a relaxed all-inclusive stay in Playa du Muro"
