Palladium Hotel Cala Llonga

Turning off a hilly winding road and into a barriered driveway, the Palladium Hotel Cala Llonga offers an immediate atmosphere of peaceful seclusion. In other words, this isn't the typical Ibiza party hotel. The front of the hotel comprises a large, wood portico under a whitewashed facade, plus sea-view terrace carpeted with artificial grass and retro orange and beige plastic molded seating. The lobby is spacious and polished, with marble floors and a few pieces of contemporary furniture, though it ultimately feels like a place to simply check-in and move on, rather than hang out for long stretches of time. Not to worry, though, as the hotel's outdoor space are its real strength. Set into the hillside, the property cascades towards the water in a series of sun terraces, at the top of which sits the hotel's bay-view swimming pool. It's an adult-only all-inclusive hotel and attracts older guests throughout the year, with slightly more younger couples joining over the summer months, many of whom are from the U.K.

The hotel is built into the side of a lush pine-covered valley that overlooks the picturesque sandy bay of Cala Llonga. The property is one of the more secluded in the area, with most of the nearby restaurants around 10 minutes away on foot. The beach itself is a five-minute walk from the hotel and rarely feels crowded; its clear waters also slope very gently out to sea making it popular for water sports. The even smaller and secluded cove of Sol d’en Serra is a five-minute drive away, while the charming cobbled streets and swish boutiques of Ibiza Town are around 20 minutes away by car. The other party-hard alternative nearby is Playa d'en Bossa, which has plenty of bars and nightclubs and is a 25-minute drive from the hotel. Ibiza Airport is 20 to 30 minutes away by car.

Most of the hotel's 150 air-conditioned rooms are pleasant and well-maintained, with floor-to-ceiling wood paneling, black-slate tile floors, and simple modern furnishings, though some are on the small side. Standard Rooms in particular feel a bit generic, with bedding that's little more than a white sheet thrown across twin beds. Suites are more contemporary, with padded headboards, streamlined furniture, and a cool white-and-gray color scheme. A bit of black-and-white photography hangs on the walls in all rooms, giving them a touch of personality. Standard amenities include mini-fridges (with free bottled water), iPod docks, air-conditioning, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with a couple of English-language news channels); in-room Wi-Fi is free of charge, but can be unreliable. All rooms open to furnished terraces or balconies, some with sea views. Upgraded rooms feature spacious outdoor areas with whirlpool tubs and lounge chairs; it's worth noting that some rooms that have sea views also overlook the parking lot. Bathrooms are modern and well-maintained, with walk-in showers in most rooms and the addition of whirlpool tubs in suites. 

The hotel's all-inclusive plan covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All meals are served buffet-style in the main restaurant, which features large windows overlooking the sea. There are also Japanese and Italian eateries which open to an alfresco terrace with sea views. Food is generally well-liked and includes enough variety for everyone. A pool bar provides well alcoholic drinks and snacks as part of the plan, as well as a stage for live shows during the day; the separate Show Bar offers decent evening entertainment. The kidney-shaped outdoor pool is surrounded by lounge chairs and offers lovely mountain views, though some complain that it can feel cramped during busier times. There's also a poolside whirlpool tub, and just around the corner from the pool is a sun terrace lined with daybeds. Additional tiered terraces look out over the sea. Direct access to the sea is possible, though the coast area is rocky and prone to sea urchins. A small wellness center offers massage treatments (including treatments for couples), while other health/sports facilities include a tennis court and fitness room. Limited free parking is available at the hotel, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though it can be spotty.