Cabau Cala D’Or

Cabau Cala d’Or is one of many aparthotels nestled in the valley of Puerto Rico. Due to the dry, desert climate of the area, the hotel gets plenty of warm sunshine year round and all day long - perfect for guests who enjoy staying by the pool, or sunbathing on the roof deck. These are, indeed, the busiest areas of the hotel: there’s pop music and continuous activities by the pool throughout the day, and one can expect plenty of kids, booming microphone dialog from the hosts, and general merrymaking. Other parts of the hotel -- such as the rooftop sun deck -- are quieter, for those who prefer a more low-key atmosphere.

The hotel is well-maintained overall, with smart, gray-and-white interiors and chic, modern furniture, setting it miles apart from the dated decor and run-down facilities found in other mid-range properties nearby. Even the bar -- with its warm tones and geometric lampshades -- is a light, airy space that feels immaculately clean. The hotel is pleasant overall, even if the pool area gets rowdy at times. Families and couples are the most frequent guests, and during our visit we saw plenty of British travelers.

As with many of the hotels in this dry, mountainous region, Cabau Cala d’Or is on a quiet road carved into the hillside, nestled in the valley of Puerto Rico. There are 185 stone steps leading down the steep valley and directly to the main shopping center at sea level. There, you'll find restaurants, bars, and clubs open until almost sunrise. The walk down takes about five minutes. Most guests prefer to take a cheap taxi back to the hotel, rather than climbing back up the stairs. Puerto Rico's beach and marina are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Europa Fashion Mall, located outside the valley, is 10 minutes away by car. The airport is a 35-minute drive, and the vibrant city of Las Palmas takes roughly one hour to reach by car.

In keeping with the rest of the hotel, apartments are refreshingly clean and modern, with a relaxed turquoise color scheme. All have one bedroom, accommodate a maximum of four people, and come with large, well-equipped kitchens, separate living areas with flat-screen TVs and sofabeds, and terraces or balconies. Most have pool or sea views. Bathrooms are modern, with white and blue tiling and free starter toiletries. There is no free air-conditioning, but apartments feel surprisingly cool despite being baked all day in the blazing Puerto Rico sun. Fans and air-conditioning units can be rented on a weekly basis via a third-party supplier, but guests must be proactive to request them. The Wi-Fi, which is spotty, can be expensive and is paid per device. A basic handful of satellite TV channels are free, and additional channels are only available for a fee. Additionally, access to the safe isn't free. During the day, noise from the pool is audible in rooms, and at night music from the main shopping center travels up the valley. It may be audible until early morning.

The main attraction of this hotel is its heated pool, which is busy with guests throughout the day and hosts a variety of games and activities. Admittedly, the area is a bit small for the size of the hotel, but this doesn’t seem to stop guests from having a good time. The daily morning ritual of reserving sun beds by the pool seems to irritate some -- but this is common with many resorts in the area. The poolside bar has a large, modern, indoor seating area, and serves drinks as well as cooked breakfasts and light bites such as pizza and burgers. It also hosts a barbecue night every Wednesday, along with live entertainment every evening until late. 

For those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, the rooftop sunbathing deck takes guests up and away from the commotion of the pool area. It gets warm sunlight all day long. However, use of pool towels is not free. Three guest computers, located in a corner of the bar, are available for a fee. Wi-Fi is not free anywhere in the hotel, but guests can get 30 minutes access with the purchase of a drink. There is a basic mini-market in the reception area which is open around the clock and stocks limited basics. The reception is also open 24 hours. Limited private parking is available out front, which is possibly the only free perk of the hotel.