Tropic Garden Aparthotel

Tropic Garden is a family-oriented hotel with all-inclusive and half-board options available during high summer season. The hotel was built in 2002, but managed to have a dated look that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the '80s. However, 2016 and 2017 saw massive renovations, giving much-needed updates to the hotel’s general decor, starting from the reception area, out to the slip-resistant flooring by the pools, and into the guest rooms.

Expect bright and cheery contemporary decor with a slight beach theme, on top of still outdated but spotless travertine floors, columns, and rose-tinted glass. The reception area has a wall of glass overlooking the pool, cute peacock-shaped wicker seats, and a seemingly random Buddha bust. Just outside there’s a bridge with a pond housing fish and frogs, and inside, expect hallways scented by air-freshener and decorated with large planters.

Thanks to the variety of kids’ programs and good freebies, this hotel typically sees families with kids of all ages, with cooler months bringing in families with younger kids.

Tropic Garden is located in Santa Eularia, just a two-minute walk from a large supermarket. Santa Eularia Beach is 10 to 15 minutes away by foot, though there's no sand, just water. Across the road from the hotel, guests have a small strip mall with a corner store, souvenir shop, and car rental company.

• 14-minute walk to Santa Eulalia village
• 14-minute drive to Ibiza Golf Course
• 22-minute drive to Talamanca
• 27-minute drive to Playa D'en Bossa
• 28-minute drive to Dalt Vila and the Old Town
• 28-minute drive to Ibiza Airport
• 30-minute drive to Es Cavallet Beach
• 37-minute drive to the San Antonio Sunset Strip

All 225 of the guest rooms received full renovations between 2016 and 2017. Tired, dated decor, patterns, and wood furniture were replaced by white walls, white furniture, big beds, and pops of turquoise. Bathrooms got new tile, showerheads, and improved amenity kits that include conditioner, wood brushes, and face towels. Bar areas holding the apartment kitchens were also tweaked for a more modern look, but are still made up of the same sink, mini-fridge, and electric burner hob layout, while suite kitchenettes are basic with kettles, decent mini-fridges, and microwaves that are sometimes dated. All rooms have AC, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.

Rooms are essentially the same size with different layouts, and room rates mostly depend on the view. Double Standard Rooms come with upgrades to sea views, and have a double bed made up of two individually fitted twin beds side-by-side, a work desk that doubles as the kitchenette area, and a narrow cushioned couch. Suites feel more cramped since the wall that divides the bedroom and living room takes up noticeable space.

Apartments are laid out like Suites, but have the added bonus of am upgraded kitchen with electric burners, a sink, and dishes. While all guest rooms here have larger-than-usual terraces, Superior Rooms have some that are nearly two-thirds the size of the inside spaces, and these are outfitted with Bali beds. These rooms also sport bigger TVs and coffee machines.

Tropic Garden has three pools: two outdoor and one lackluster indoor pool. The large outdoor pool has a rock waterfall, bridge, and double-sloped entrance, plus an adjacent kiddy pool. A mix of contemporary and dated stretched plastic loungers line the terrace, but they often get claimed before the pool even opens. In the summer, the hotel has a strict no-floats rule for the pools. Towels are available for a cash deposit from reception.

The indoor pool area is a bit bleak with a few loungers scattered around the perimeter, no music, and a very warm and humid atmosphere. This area is unsupervised, locked, and must be opened with a key from reception. Guests will have to sign up to use the sauna, but they can soak in the 12-person whirlpool at their leisure.

Family-friendly features include a small touch-operated splash area with fake grass for kids and a few loungers for supervising adults, plus free activity programs for toddlers to teens. Programs for children ages 4 to 11 have activities like games, nighttime mini-discos, and T-shirt painting. Teens up to age 16 can participate in activities such as nightly entertainment ranging from karaoke to live music and video quizzes. There are also table games like air hockey set up around the pool area, and a library with books and a TV.

Most activities are free, but some, like crafts, may have a small materials fee. The hotel doesn’t have any in-house babysitting, but guests can hire from an approved external service for a fee.

During the summer high season, the hotel operates as an all-inclusive or half-board hotel. Half-board includes breakfast, lunch or dinner, and drinks while eating. With either plan, there’s a 50-percent upcharge for premium alcohol brands and ice cream. There are no meal plans in low season. All meals are served buffet-style in the large and sunny main restaurant, and kids have their own dedicated buffet area during dinner. Expect live cooking stations, themed nights, and long lines.

The hotel only operates one bar at a time, so during the day guests can grab drinks and snacks at the Papaya Pool Bar, while evening drinks are served at the horseshoe-shaped Hibiscus Cafe off the lobby. During the summer, there’s a small stage set up for performances.

Adult activities include fitness classes, rifle targets, bocce, and water aerobics during the day, plus nighttime entertainment like trivia, live entertainment, and unique escape room setups. There’s also a wellness area with a small massage cabin and free yoga and Tai Chi, plus outdoor soccer and tennis courts that can be rented for free.

Other features available in the hotel include tour booking, free business center station with printing, luggage storage, and bike rentals. A daily shuttle takes guests to and from the beach for a small fee. This hotel doesn’t accept pets, and parking is available for a daily fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.