Club MAC Alcudia

Families looking for a big, brash, and (undeniably) British all-inclusive hotel need look no farther than Club MAC Alcudia. The complex is huge, comprising three large blocks aptly named after planets -- Jupiter and Saturno (standing at nine and 10 floors, respectively), and Marte, with six levels plus the reception area. Check-in works via a ticket system, hinting at how busy it can get when large package tour groups descend en masse; our experience, however, was swift and smooth, and the all-important all-inclusive wristband was secured within minutes. At almost 25 acres, the grounds are certainly extensive, though they are centered around two lakes, which makes them fairly easy to navigate. The large footprint doesn't prevent overcrowding, however; there are over a thousand rooms, mostly occupied by couples with kids, and guest numbers can swell to several thousand during peak summer season. The property is always kept clean and tidy, and staff members we encountered were generally cheerful and polite. There is no shortage of all-day bars, and the all-inclusive plan can lead to a few instances of excess (which may occasionally disturb other guests). Also prepare for a few kids who are too jacked up on the unlimited supply of sugary slushies while they enjoy the almost endless child-focused facilities on-site -- including free entry to the neighboring water park. 

The hotel is located on the edge of the popular resort of Port d'Alcudia, set on the northeastern coast of Majorca. While not quite as upmarket as the nearby Port de Pollensa, the town is a pleasantly laid-back mix of tourist restaurants, bars, and hotels. Besides the adjoining Hidropark water park, there's very little immediately nearby. The resort center and majority of its dining and nightlife -- including "Dollar Street," the nickname for Pere Mas i Reus -- is about a 15-minute walk, or five-minute drive, away. The town's strikingly wide sandy beach -- also famed for its calm and particularly shallow waters -- is also just walkable at around 15 minutes on foot. A free shuttle bus is available to both the beach and the port. Alcudia's old town is a 10-minute drive, the pretty town of Pollensa is a 15- to 20-minute drive, and Palma de Mallorca, the island's capital (and home to the main airport), is at least 45 minutes by car. 

The hotel's 1,024 rooms are spread across three types: Standard, Family, and Premium. The Premium Rooms were all given a makeover in 2014 and have sleek contemporary wood veneer flooring and furniture. The rest of the rooms, however, look very dated, with rattan and bamboo furnishings, tiled floors, and faded artworks. Family Rooms extend to separate bedrooms with bunk and sofa beds, and can sleep up to five guests. All rooms open to small balconies with plastic seating, with those on higher floors commanding some impressive mountain views. Premium Rooms tend to be on the top floor, with better vistas (these may even have a very distant view of the sea). Standard Room amenities are minimal, consisting of 32-inch flat-screen TVs, old-style safes, and Wi-Fi, all of which incur a fee (the TVs have six free channels, and Wi-Fi is cheap). Premium and Family rooms, however get bigger (40-inch) TVs with extra channels (over 40, mostly in English) and free Wi-Fi, plus kettles and cups (though no tea or coffee); Premium Rooms also provide mini-fridges. There's a big difference in the bathrooms, with those in the Premium Rooms offering large walk-in showers with both rainfall and directional heads; older bathrooms look worn and have shower/tub combos. In-room Wi-Fi was speedy on our visit, though it can slow during busier times. Despite numerous signs in the corridors reminding guests to be quiet, thin walls and overexcited kids (and sometimes adults) can mean rooms are prone to noise.

The day starts with breakfast buffet served at all three of the hotel's restaurants; there's one in each block and all are spacious and modern, though inevitably feel a little likes canteens. As well as the usual array of cereals, yogurts, scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausages, live cooking stations provide freshly fried eggs and pancakes. Lunch is served in two of the three restaurants, and dinner usually has a theme (such as Asian, Mexican, or Spanish); beer and passable wine are self-service. Considering the number of diners, food is actually mostly decent. There are also snacks available throughout the day at various bars around the property. Expect queues during peak summer season. A grand total of eight pools can be found on-site, including shallow splash pools, a dragon-themed kids' pool, a lazy river, and a regular pool for swimming -- though there's no adult-only quiet pool. More water-based fun can be found next door, with free entry to the full-size water park. There's a vast program of mostly child-focused activities as well as nightly entertainment at the amphitheater-style Circus stage -- though show quality can certainly vary. Pedalos (paddle boats, to North American travelers) can be taken out onto the lake for free, and hovercrafts are available for a fee. In the evenings the lake is lined with stalls selling toys, novelties, and crafts. Various vending machines, pool tables, fairground rides, and video games are scattered around the complex.

The all-inclusive plan covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner served buffet style, as well as snacks such as burgers and ice cream throughout the afternoon. Branded soft drinks and beer, as well as local spirits and wines, are served in the three main bars and covered under the plan. Two bars (Moon and VIP) charge for international wines, cocktails, and top-shelf spirits. Coffee, juice, and water is available 24/7 from the main building. While entry to the water park is free, the plan doesn't cover any food, drink, or sunbeds there (though hotel guests do get a discount on food). Guests in Standard Rooms also have to pay extra for Wi-Fi, safes, and satellite TV channels (which are included in Premium and Family Rooms).