HSM Atlantic Park

With its blue stencil font signage and underwhelming front garden, expectations are lowered upon first arrival at the HSM Atlantic Park. And stepping inside, while the lobby is perfectly clean, bright, and neatly presented, an absence of any real character, combined with old-fashioned artworks and peeling faux-leather seating makes for an outdated and uninspired atmosphere. That's not to say it doesn't tick most of the boxes the average guest might demand from a resort-style hotel of this ilk, with a sunny pool terrace, buffet dining, and plenty of organized activities. Two elevators with old-style manual doors ferry guests to the property's nine floors, and to red-carpeted hallways that continue the sparse, low-frills vibe. On our 2017 visit, the mood was serene, with guests setting up for a day around the pool -- and even at full capacity the hotel felt uncrowded and relaxed. Reports suggest, however, that the overspill from the more boisterous elements of Magaluf can upset the quiet with boozy antics. Clientele are also vacationing couples and families with kids, mostly hailing from the UK, together with some Spanish, French, and German guests.

The hotel is located on the quieter outskirts of the notorious party town of Magaluf, on the island's southwest coast. The immediate area is far from attractive, overlooking a vacant, shrub-lined parking lot. The resort's long stretch of sandy beach, however, is a little more than five minutes away on foot, as is the main street, lined with bars, restaurants, and tourist shops. About a 10-minute walk away is the nightlife hub of Punta Ballena, with its clubs, strip joints, and often wild revelry. More family-oriented fun can be had at Western Park water park, which is 15 minutes away on foot. The charming medieval streets of Palma's Old Town are a 20-minute drive, while getting to Palma de Mallorca takes up to 30 minutes by car.

Last fully updated in 2007, the decor in all 242 guest rooms follow the same semi-dated style, with lots of wood veneer, textured beige walls, and a red-and-gold color scheme. Rooms open to well-furnished balconies, the vast majority of which overlook the pool terrace, with higher-floors offering views of the surrounding hills. Junior suites offer extra seating space, while family rooms add sofa beds that sleep up to two children. Amenities fail to impress in what is advertised as a four-star hotel, with flat-screen TVs (some rather small), mini-fridges, and safes for a fee. There's also no coffee- or tea-making facilities. In-room Wi-Fi is free of charge, though the connection is usually far from speedy. Bathrooms are generally clean and bright, with shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and hotel-brand toiletries; a Junior Suite perk is tubs with massage aqua-jets. 

The rear pool terrace is pleasantly bright, clean, and spacious, with plentiful loungers, umbrellas, and trees, though the pool itself is a little on the small side for a hotel of this size. A separate circular pool is shallow enough for small children, a free kids' club operates for four- to 12-year-olds, and there's a small soft-floor playground. Regular poolside animation also includes aquarobics and cocktail games, while sports facilities are limited to ping-pong, pool, and a single multi-use court. The hotel lacks any spa facilities or gym.On-site dining options are limited to buffet dining and a poolside snack bar. The buffet restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with most agreeing the quality of the food is more than passible though lack of variety means it can get repetitive, plus there's no live cooking. The snack bar offers the usual range of chips, chicken nuggets, pizza, and burgers, and there's plenty of poolside seating. Plans range from bed-and-breakfast, through half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive, which covers all meals, snacks, and selected drinks. Daily evening entertainment is split between professional acts and the animation team, and is usually performed on the outdoor stage (or brought to the inside bar in cooler weather).