Hotel Costa Azul

Even by the standards of its exclusive marina-front neighborhood, the smart steel gray and glass facade of the Hotel Costa Azul stands out from its neighbors. Fully renovated in 2014, the reception area is a sharp and modern space that makes a fitting impression for what is -- at core -- a contemporary hotel with a lot to like. The lobby includes red leather seating, dark wood paneling, and splashes of the property's signature turquoise color. While initially the look and feel says "chain hotel," this property is in fact third-generation family-owned hotel that dates back to the 1950s. What also sets the Costa Azul apart is its "Sea of Poetry" concept, whereby each floor is inspired by literature and the Mediterranean. As well as the ubiquitous fish, cloud, and bird motifs throughout, this also extends to a poem assigned to each of the 126 guest rooms. A pair of elevators ferry guests to one of eight floors, the third of which features an intimate restaurant, swimming pool, and sun terrace overlooking the luxury yachts and sail boats of Palma Marina. The hotel attracts mostly vacationing couples over the summer months, and to a lesser extent corporate travelers and families with kids; it's also a popular choice for hosting events and business meetings. 

The hotel has a prime location overlooking Palma's main marina on the principal thoroughfare that runs the length of the city's seafront. There are plenty of bars and restaurants nearby, from more intimate local options to international chains like the Hard Rock Cafe, which is a five-minute walk from the hotel. The buzzing and trendy Santa Catalina neighborhood, which is full of even more bars and restaurants, takes 10 minutes to reach on foot. The hotel's position also puts practically all of the Mallorcan capital's attractions within walking distance -- the swanky boutiques of the Passeig del Born and edge of the picturesque Old Town can be reached in 15 minutes on foot. Historic sites like Bellver Castle and the Gothic cathedral are a five-minute drive from here. It will take 15 minutes to reach the Palma de Mallorca Airport by car or cab.

The literary theme continues into the guest rooms, where each room features lines of poetry on its walls -- a thoughtful and unique touch that some guests love. The rooms themselves are bright, clean, and modern, with crisp white walls, dark wood flooring, and splashes of blue, green, or turquoise; furniture is minimalist and contemporary, if a little IKEA-esque and reminiscent of chain hotels. Standard amenities include mini-fridges (with free bottled water), electronic safes, air-conditioning, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs with multi-media inputs and a few English-language channels. Wi-Fi is free and mostly works well. Premium Rooms add Nespresso coffee machines, robes and slippers, and small make-up bags. Bathrooms are clean and contemporary, with walk-in showers, rectangular vessel sinks on bright and roomy countertops, wall-mounted hairdryers, and large mirrors.There's one suite available with a separate lounge outfitted with a huge TV and a minibar, plus a spacious corner terrace with two loungers, a dining table, and chairs. Family Rooms provide bunkbeds for kids. Of the six categories of rooms, Standard Rooms are the only ones that lack sea views -- they overlook the city instead. Upgraded rooms tend to be on higher floors and offer better sea views as well as balconies, though rooms on lower floors can be prone to some traffic noise. Guests have also noted that some rooms are a bit small.

Despite its central location, there are a number of features to like at the Costa Azul. Most of the hotel's facilities are found on the third floor, where a small pool with retractable roof and hot tub overlook a spacious, lounger-lined terrace with views of the sea. A pair of canopied Bali beds can be hired for a daily fee that includes light meals and drinks. The hotel also has a spa, which includes color therapy showers, a jetted tub, sauna, and massage treatments (available for couples). There's also a small, bright fitness room with sea views and a limited selection of exercise bikes, a running machine, and free-weights.Dining is available on this floor as well, with the intimate bar-restaurant Tramuntana serving lunch and dinner. A buffet breakfast that includes local produce, a healthy corner, and cooked-to-order eggs and pancakes is available in the Xaloc Restaurant, though it's not included in room rates. This ground floor eatery also serves set menus and themed buffet dinners (included in the half-board option), while the separate Embat cafe-bar lounge offers an a la carte menu of traditional tapas and evening cocktails. Meeting and small conference rooms are available for various functions. Other amenities include private parking a short walk away for a reasonable daily fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.