Eix Lagotel

With its dated signage and weather-worn whitewash facade, the Eix Lagotel immediately feels a little past its prime. Characterized by bold zigzagging balconies and a vast internal atrium flooded with natural light, however, the '80s-era architecture is still quite striking, if lacking warmth. The lobby itself is clean and functional, though a little dated, with all the usual resort hotel trappings such as colorful pamphlet displays, animation schedules, and internet terminals. The complex is spread between two eight-story buildings, and the neighboring annex housing all the apartment accommodation. Elevators are numerous, though don't all feel well-maintained and are prone to being out-of-order. 

To the front is a pleasant lakeside garden with resident ducks and a small jetty, while to the rear is an extensive sun terrace dotted with palm trees and featuring a large lagoon swimming pool. Also to the rear just across the road sits the hotel's sports and pool club areas providing lots of extra pool and recreation space. The affordable property draws mostly British families, with more older couples either side of the school holidays. Overall, the atmosphere is unpretentious, relaxed, and a little rough-and-ready in places, though most guests are too busy enjoying the all-inclusive plan to be bothered by its cosmetic shortcomings.

The hotel has one of the more remote locations in the area, set at the far side of a lake on the outskirts of the relatively quiet Playa de Muro. There's little in the immediate area, though it's around a 12-minute walk to a road lined with tourist shops, mini-markets, and restaurants, plus one block farther to the long, picturesque sandy beach. Alternatively, a free shuttle runs every half hour. The property's grounds back up to canals and the S’Albufera Nature Reserve (all of which can be a source of mosquitos). The family-friendly Hidropark is a 10-minute drive away or the scenic cobbled streets of Alcudia town are about 15 minutes. It's also about an hour by road from the island's capital of Palma, and Palma de Mallorca Airport is the same distance.

The Eix Lagotel has 251 rooms and 89 one- and two-bedroom apartments, sleeping from one to six guests. All rooms in the main building were renovated between 2014-16 with a fresh, simple contemporary update that included new wood-effect flooring, modern IKEA-like furniture, and lake-themed photography. Some apartments are awaiting a refresh (earmarked for 2018) and feel dated in comparison. All open to spacious balconies with patio furniture, with most featuring pretty views over the lake or neighboring nature reserve, though some are within eyeshot of the local power station. 

Standard amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with good choice of U.K.-based channels), fridges, and key safes (for a fee). In-room Wi-Fi is free of charge but, while it worked well during our visit, it can be slow during periods of high use. Apartments all come with simple cooking facilities and microwaves set on dining tables. Family rooms have separate bedroom for two kids. All bathrooms have been updated with walk-in showers and wall-mounted hairdryers, though we found a couple signs of rust and disrepair. 

While not all of it is particularly polished, the hotel offers an impressive range of leisure facilities. First off, the main lagoon pool is large and spread across two levels, with plentiful loungers and umbrellas, plus a separate splash pool and poolside activities most days. Just across the road, the hotel's Breezers Club offers another three circular pools of varying depths (from deep to toddler-friendly) surrounded by spacious terraces and more sunbeds. Next to here is the Sports Zone, consisting of three tennis courts, squash, mini-golf, and a five-a-side football pitch (though these are all charged). There are also a free kids' club for 4 and up, a daily animation program that includes pistol shooting and archery, and a game room with arcade machines and pinball. Two rowing boats and a pedalo are available to explore the lake, and bikes for exploring the surrounding area. 

With just one main dining room and no real restaurant, there's no escaping the fact that dining options are very limited at the Eix Lagotel. That said, we found the buffet experience above average for this level of hotel, with a decent spread of mostly good quality food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (though just one live cooking station preparing a single dish). Draft beer, wine, and soft drinks are self-service, and bottles of wine are available to buy. Two snack bars (one at Breezer's Club) provide fast food during most of the day between mealtimes, while the main bar offers dispenser cocktails, ice-cream, and slushies. There's also an on-site supermarket for groceries and vacation vitals. 

The optional all-inclusive rate includes buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which has live cooking and self-service soft drinks, local beer, and wine. Snacks and light meals are provided across two of the bars, and include ice cream. A range of soft drinks -- including slushies for kids -- and local alcoholic drinks including spirits and dispenser cocktails are also covered. All kids' clubs and entertainment is part of the package, though most sports facilities, bikes, and boat hires incur fees.