MLL Hotel Caribbean Bay

Aesthetically, the Caribbean Bay Hotel has an edge over most other three-pearl hotels in Mallorca. Though the quality of its furniture is a few notches under Ikea, everything is at least new and modern. The 10-story peach stucco building is set in a somewhat rundown area with fast food restaurants, cafes, and bars. Inside, the lobby is airy and bright, with modern red and white chairs, pale wood laminate furniture, beige tile floors, and red-tinged modern paintings. Pool areas are somewhat stark, with white and gray plastic lounge chairs lining the otherwise unadorned decks. The dining area is clean, but with its bright orange pillars and piles of unlabeled desserts, feels a bit like a college cafeteria. Guests can expect to find families with young children eager to benefit from the all-inclusive, along with crowds of young -- sometimes rowdy -- European teens. There is a small stage and DJ area with strobe lights that caters to the party-loving demographic. 

The Caribbean Bay is located in El Arenal, a city that feels far removed from the Caribbean or any other beach paradise. Grimy and rough around the edges, it's home to many value hotels, fast food joints, convenience stores, bars, and kebab places. The area's one huge redeeming factor is its proximity to a lovely beach, which is a five-minute walk from The Caribbean Bay. Though this beach can get crowded -- think towels and umbrellas everywhere, impromptu games of beach volleyball, and kiosks playing loud music -- it has surprisingly clean white sand and calm blue waters. The El Arenal Marina (Marina Playa De Palma) is just a 10-minute walk from the hotel, while Aqualand and the Palma Aquarium can both be reached in just under 10 minutes by car. Palma Airport is about 10 minutes away by car. There is a public bus stop just outside the hotel, and it reaches Palma in about 20 minutes.  

Guest rooms have the same wood laminate furnishings and red and white color scheme as the rest of the property -- including red-striped bedding and curtains, and bright red modern wall art. In-room amenities are basic, with the exception of flat-screen TVs and safes that require deposits prior to use. Double rooms have balconies, but the views -- over the rusty tops of the bedraggled buildings below -- are uninspiring. The bathrooms are white and cream, and have shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and basic fixtures. The Single Room is tiny, with little space to walk around the bed, and limited closet space. 

The Caribbean Bay has two pools, neither of which is really large enough for a hotel with 224 rooms. However the rooftop pool, tiny as it may be, is in a special, sunny spot that can be enjoyable when the hotel isn't full. Otherwise, The Caribbean Bay offers the same standard amenities as every three-pearl hotel in Mallorca: an arcade, a pool table, an entertainment area, a TV lounge, and a small gift shop. The option to purchase souvenir ensaimadas (traditional Mallorcan cream-filled pastries) at reception is a nice touch, though local bakeries could provide a better guarantee of freshness. The food from the all-inclusive buffet can get repetitive and there is no entertainment for children provided at the hotel. There are four computers for guest use in the lobby and Wi-Fi is available for a fee.