Hotel Apartamentos Ivory Playa

The first impression upon arrival at the Ivory Playa is just how spotless it is. A small, high-ceilinged lobby is decked out in pink marble, polished steel, and frosted glass -- all immaculately clean and with smart contemporary seating, fresh flowers, and cascading plants completing the welcoming space. The all-apartment hotel is an independent family-owned property open since the late '80s, though extensive renovations through 2016 have ensured that the place looks modern throughout. A pair of elevators service six floors. The rear gardens are particularly well-tended, with a tidy collection of palm trees, shrubs, and other tropical plants. While prone to some morning shade, on our visit the pool areas were sunny and buzzing with a laid-back atmosphere popular with families. Although the complex has the feeling of being squeezed into a fairly compact space and the grounds aren't huge -- it rarely feels overcrowded. 

The hotel is located between the main road that runs parallel with the Bay of Alcudia and its lovely long stretch of sandy beach just a couple minutes' away. Streetside, the immediate surroundings aren't particularly interesting. There's a neighboring gas station, big supermarket, and a light scattering of other hotels and eateries. However "Dollar Street" is just about within walking distance and offers one of the town's busier strips of nightlife with bars, karaoke joints, and lively restaurants. Regular buses also run up and down the coast, and into the Port d'Alcudia busy resort center in around 15 minutes. Another popular local attraction is the Alcudia Nature Reserve -- protected wetlands ideal for bird watching -- just five minutes' drive away. Alcudia's picturesque old town is a 15-minute drive away. Palma de Mallorca, the island's capital (and home to the main airport) is 40 to 45 minutes by car.

Of the 168 apartments here, the vast majority are one-bedroom units (sleeping up to four) with a handful of studio apartments for two. Wood parquet flooring distinguish otherwise simple interiors which also include cheerful fabrics, modern furniture, and colorful artwork. All units open to balconies or terraces overlooking either the street or garden. Higher level Plus Apartments offer views of the lake or sea. Double glazing on windows keeps noise to a minimum. Beds are comfy, with the options of mattress toppers and a choice of pillows. 

Kitchenettes with microwaves, fridge/freezers, electric burners, and cookware come as standard. There are also flat-screen TVs (small in studios, otherwise 32-inch) with a few English-speaking channels. In-room Wi-Fi is free, though signal strength varies. Extra perks in upgraded rooms include coffee machines, iPod docks, and bathrobes, all of which are also available for an extra fee in standard rooms. Around half of the bathrooms have been updated with walk-in rainfall showers. Un-renovated bathrooms have shower/tub combos with old-fashioned granite tops. All bathrooms come with wall-mounted hairdryers and generic hotel-branded toiletries. 

For a relatively small, independent hotel, Ivory Playa manages to fit in everything you'd expect from a resort property. The main freeform pool is large and the adjacent deck provides ample quality sunbeds in shady or sunny areas. A full-length (82-foot/25-meter) outdoor heated pool has two lanes for swimming, though it was full of splashing children during our visit. There is also a separate kids' pool, as well as mini- and maxi-clubs for 4- to 12-year-olds, and ages 13 and over. 

Opened in 2013, the hotel's surprisingly deluxe spa packs in a heated pool with cascades and jets, an ice machine, steam room and sauna, a modern gym, and a heated pebble foot bath, plus three treatment rooms for massages. The spa is adult-only apart from two hours a day when children are allowed, and access is free of charge. Cyclists can access a garage with secure bike storage, tools, and sports drinks. There are also use of two tennis courts for a fee.

A bright and clean dining room is where guests enjoy a buffet breakfast of hot (scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages) and cold (croissants, yogurts, fresh fruit, breads, jams, cheese) dishes, with a chef providing on-demand omelets, eggs, and pancakes. Juice is from machines, though coffee is made fresh. Breakfast is not always included in rates, though it is reasonably priced. Half-board guests have a buffet dinner included, which rotates on a 14-day cycle of dishes and live cooking. For lunch, there's a poolside bar offering the likes of pizza, salads, pasta, and tapas a la carte. An indoor bar opens in the evening, with snacks, cocktails, and nightly entertainment that includes cabaret, tribute acts, and magic shows. 

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though the signal isn't always reliable.