Hipotels Apartamentos Cala Bona

The location was a real plus: close to everything, but at the quiet end of the resort. As a first-time guest, I judged the place by the facilities listed, so I was happy with what was there. There are two pools, one for children and a larger one for adults. They were fine, though busy, as you'd expect in peak season. The rooms were in acceptable shape, just not newly refurbished. The shower was more of a concern: weak pressure and water that changed temperature sharply and quickly, so you had to watch out for getting burned. The lifts weren't working during our stay. That didn't bother me, but people with less mobility could have trouble getting their luggage to and from their rooms. I'd seen several reviews just before arriving, and they seemed less positive than when I'd booked. The complaints appeared to be about lost services that returning guests expected and room quality. Even so, I would highly recommend this hotel.

The kids' entertainment was great, and the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet was superb, a real highlight. The hotel itself was fantastic and ticked all the boxes for us. We loved being between two very different areas. Walk one way and you're on the touristy strip; head the other way and there are quiet little alcoves, with no shops or touristy things for miles. Being able to dip into both made this resort perfect for us.

There was plenty to do at the hotel, including the pool, restaurant with some live evening performances, and bike or electric scooter rentals. It also has a large parking lot and is near the beach promenade and shops. The recommended beaches are about a 30-45 minute drive away. I enjoyed my stay. My room faced the street, but it wasn't noisy at night. :)

My apartment was spotless, and the housekeeping staff deserve thanks for that. The grounds were beautifully kept too, though the local authorities don't maintain the streets to the same standard. The apartment made good use of its space, with plenty of storage and utensils, and the shower was great. I enjoyed sitting on the balcony during the day, but lively teenagers below kept me away in the evenings. If I had a baby, I'd be furious. That noise shouldn't go unchecked. The bed was dreadful, with a rock-hard base and a prison-like mattress, and the bedding wasn't kind to my skin either. A softer fabric would make a big difference. The pool felt far too small for a place this size, and I hate to imagine it in July or August. Drinks were very expensive, and I'd skip the cocktails because they seemed short on alcohol unless you paid close attention. The reception gentlemen were pleasant but didn't seem open to conversation, so I got recommendations from other guests instead. The entertainment for little ones was okay, but not much for adults. It's close to the shops and so on. I wouldn't put anyone off staying here, but for me the transfer time wasn't worthwhile.