Hotel Cartago Ibiza

The Cartago is fronted by a small parking lot, beyond which is the entrance, grandly marked by a half-dozen international flags and a long canopy awning. Guests enter a spacious and bright reception area, dotted with numerous potted plants and presided over by a pair of polished, horse head statues. Shelves stuffed with tour brochures, colorful postcard display racks, and wicker furnishings on terra-cotta tile floors make up some of the trappings of this typical family-oriented, all-inclusive resort. The property is built into the side of the valley, with plenty of lovely sea-facing vantage points and tiered terraces that slope sharply down toward the main swimming pool and beach below (accessible via steep footpath or glass-sided elevator). Opened in 1969, the hotel was last renovated in 2009, and some of the decor looks quite dated. The vibe, however, is fun and friendly, and there's a particularly enthusiastic animation team geared toward entertaining the families with children that primarily frequent the hotel.

The hotel has a superb setting, built into the cliffside in a lush valley overlooking the picturesque San Miguel Bay, just off a winding road. It's set in the quieter north side of Ibiza island, so there's not a ton within walking distance besides the lovely sandy cove and a handful of restaurants. However, there are a few local natural attractions that can be explored on foot, such as the Calo des Multons and Cova de Can Marca caves, both about a 10-minute walk away. A bus stop just outside the hotel connects to a variety of places around the island, including Ibiza Town and Es Canar, both around 30 to 40 minutes away. Ibiza Airport is located on the opposite side of the island and is around half an hour away by cab.

The hotel's 196 rooms tend to be clean and colorful, with well-maintained but dated decor consisting of tiled floors, thin patterned blue bedspreads, and lightwood furnishings. Blue accent walls with orange paintings add more color to the units. Space is limited in most rooms, though all extend to furnished terraces with lovely sea and/or valley views. Amenities include remote control-operated air-conditioning units, safes, and flat-screen TVs with plenty of UK-based channels (including some for kids), though no coffee- and tea-making facilities. In-room Wi-Fi is available for a fee. Bathrooms are functional but look tired in places, and come with basic toiletries, shower/tub combos, and wall-mounted hairdryers. 

The hotel's all-inclusive plan covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner served in the hotel's two buffet restaurants. There are also three a la carte eateries covered in the all-inclusive plan, offering American, Chinese, and Spanish food. The food gets good reviews (for an all-inclusive) from most guests. Snacks and ice-cream are also free, while a variety of drinks are available at one of three bars, one of which sits poolside. The main pool is just about large enough for the size of the hotel and has pleasant views over the valley opposite, though lounge chairs can be in short supply. The kids' pool is actually larger and includes fun rock formations, a waterslide, and other water features, plus a separate paddling pool. There are also a small kids' club and playground, plus a gym with a decent amount of equipment. The lovely sandy beach is accessible via the hotel's glass elevator, which also leads to shared facilities at the sister resort Hotel Club San Miguel. Wi-Fi is available for a fee.