Holiday Village Majorca - Protur Monte Safari

The lobby of the Holiday Village Majorca has a gray and white color scheme that gives it the appearance of a hip, urban boutique hotel, though its sheer size quickly indicates otherwise. The grounds are beautifully landscaped, with fountains that hint of the Moorish influence so characteristic of Southern Spain.This huge property is outfitted with an impressive array of restaurants, bars, and pools, and offers plenty of activities for children. It has far too many rooms to ever feel exclusive, though the hotel does have a distinct air of quality, especially for an all-inclusive. The property caters to families with young kids, and the general atmosphere is oriented toward younger guests, although the spa provides a quiet refuge for grown-ups. 

The Protur Monte Safari is slightly inland and surrounded by mountains in a quiet area in the outskirts of Cala Millor, a 20-minute walk or five-minute drive away. It's a half-hour stroll to Sa Coma, which can also be reached in five minutes or so by car. A  free shuttle provided by the hotel leaves every 15 minutes and transports guests to the beach and commercial areas. There's also the option to cycle into Cala Millor, though the road is dusty and plain. Once in town, it's worth escaping the touristy shopping options by taking public transportation to explore a few markets, including Son Severa on Friday mornings, and Monacor on Mondays. Central Palma and the Palma Airport are both an hour's drive away. It's possible to reach them by public transportation in just under two hours, but renting a car or booking a shuttle are much quicker and more efficient options.

 A variety of options are available from Standard and Family Apartments to Swim-Up Suites with private pools. The Duplex Suite has a rooftop terrace with a cabana bed and a private whirlpool hot tub. Rooms were renovated in 2013 and are big and bright, with cream-colored walls and contemporary -- but plain -- light-wood furnishings that give them a business-hotel feel. Rooms come with minibars and electric kettles and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Most rooms have pretty views of the property and surrounding mountainsides. Bathrooms are spacious, with rainfall showers and hairdryers, but they lack tubs. However, portable bathtubs and cribs are available on request. 

The Holiday Village Majorca was renovated with kids in mind, and as a result, there are plenty of children's activities and amenities on offer. The children's entertainment team is 60 strong in peak season, and there's a kids' club with a game room, basketball courts, and a sprawling tree house playground complete with a rock-climbing wall. There's also a kids' pool replete with all sorts of fountains and slides, though even the main pool -- which can get crowded -- has a huge floating playground. For a more relaxed atmosphere, there's a smaller, less crowded pool that is partially covered, though nothing tops the sleek indoor pool with an atrium ceiling that lets in lots of natural light. The hotel's full-service spa offers a sauna, three different types of whirlpools, and six different types of showers, including mud, cyclonic, aromatherapy, and chromotherapy options. There are plenty of cabana beds surrounding the outdoor whirlpool and throughout the hotel's grassy lawns. The all-inclusive property offers numerous dining options, including the main buffet restaurant, a pool bar buffet, and Italian, Mediterranean, and Tex-Mex restaurants. All of the restaurants have alfresco dining options.