HM Jaime III

Guests should prepare to feel like they've just checked into a modern art museum. The hotel is quirky, colorful, and with a surprise around just about every bend. The lobby and the hallways are decked out with art -- photos, sculptures, paintings -- created by a variety of international artists. There is no overarching theme or continuity to the work featured, but the feel is very modern and minimalist. The Salon has black leather couches, mod clear-plastic chairs, and black walls; hallways are also black and decorated with energetic photography. No Bahamas-print button-downs here -- the hotel draws a more affluent, urban class of traveler who is keen to explore the lesser-known parts of Mallorca, get in some quality shopping, and sample true local cuisine.

Located a few minutes' walk from El Corte Inglés (Spain's top department store), the hotel is perfectly positioned for anyone keen to do some luxury shopping. From its very central location, it's possible to walk just about anywhere of interest, and main sights like Mallorca's Cathedral and the Es Baluard Museu d'Art Modern i Contemporani are just 14 minutes and four minutes away, respectively. The major bus station is also just a five-minute walk away from the hotel and provides convenient transportation to other parts of the island, including several of its beaches. It's also worth adding that despite being smack in the middle of the city, the hotel is well-isolated from the outside noise and offers an urban feel without the congestion.

Double, Triple, and Quadruple Rooms are available, along with Junior Suites. All have somewhat generic modern decor consisting of pale wood floors, cream walls, and white bedding set of by dark throws and curtains. Despite conveniences (minibars, air-conditioning, safes, and flat-screen TVs), the overall look may strike some as a bit plain for a hotel that otherwise has so much artistic flair. The bedroom and small living room of the Junior Suite are separated by a glass wall, which makes the room feel a bit like the lobby of a dentist's office. Bathrooms feel a bit more upscale, with glossy white basins, sleek chrome trim, and fluffy white bathrobes, though the no-frills toiletries should be upgraded. Balconies (available in some rooms) offer a beautiful view of a leafy green landscape mixed in with buildings; the balcony furniture, instead of the usual white plastic patio medley, is a very stylish dark wood and silver set of chairs.

In addition to its very eye-catching artistic offerings, the hotel has a small spa and wellness center with a sauna, Turkish bath, and a few cardio machines that all overlook a small but handsome rock garden spotted with a few green plants. The space is sleek, with white tile loungers flanking a rectangular whirlpool large enough to avoid awkwardness if other guests are already in it when one arrives. As far as dining options go, the hotel has a pleasant but casual street-side terrace and a restaurant with a bit more of an artistic edge. Punctuated with tall silver and red bar stools and mismatched pillows, the quirks of its design accurately reflect the playful innovations of the menu. Unlike most Mallorca hotels, this one is equipped with meeting rooms. Though they mainly look out onto gardens full of palm trees and hardly feel like the place where guests might want to fire up a Power Point, the rooms are well-equipped.