Hotel Bellavista

The breakfast quality was quite poor compared with other hotels. I also asked well ahead for a refund for my final night because an unexpected complication meant I had to leave early. I understand they were entitled to refuse, but since I wouldn’t be using the service, I thought making an exception would have been a reasonable courtesy.

We’d definitely come back, mainly because the staff take real pride in making guests feel looked after. They were friendly, multilingual, and genuinely helpful. Our room was always clean and cared for when we returned, sometimes with the kids’ stuffed animals arranged adorably at the edge of the bed. The water pressure was great and the water always hot. The breakfasts were decent, with a good variety that changed day to day. The pool was usually quiet, in a shady spot, so the water stayed cool and refreshing. The location is a big plus: shops, restaurants, nightlife, beaches, and historic sites are all easy to reach on foot, and the price is very affordable. There are some tradeoffs, though. The rooms feel a bit dated, and the nightlife nearby sometimes means an intoxicated person singing loudly in the street at any hour. Early airport pickups can also disturb light sleepers. Our bus came at 4:30am, and even though we tried to be quiet, people moving in the hallways could be heard. On a humid island, wet things take ages to dry. We found it helped to shower early and keep it cool, get some rope locally to hang things on the balcony when it wasn’t raining, air the room during the day, and keep the windows, especially the bathroom one, shut at night to reduce noise. It also helped to tell the staff when we needed something. The building is older and can be noisy, but the staff really care about giving guests a good stay.

I can’t see how this is rated a 3* hotel. It feels more like a hostel, and I know at least two hostels here in Cala Rajada with better standards. Everything was terrible. People partied loudly all night, so we barely slept. They also charge 3 euros to use the mini fridge in the room. You have to get a cable from reception and plug it in yourself. Don’t expect a 3* hotel.

Booking was easy, and reception were nice and very helpful. The rooms are on the small side, but clean and comfortable. It was a nice experience.