HSM Don Juan

With its cheerful, orange facade, the Hotel HSM Don Juan certainly stands out from its otherwise rather drab surroundings. And while there's no denying the exterior's '70s origins, once inside, it's a different story. Renovations completed in 2016 have transformed the reception area, with blond-wood paneling, smart modern seating, and soft lighting that creates a fresh contemporary feel, with a more intimate atmosphere than larger hotels (such as its big sister HSM Atlantic Park next door). An equally swish bar area leads into the rear garden, a pleasant and relaxed space with mature palm trees providing shade around the small swimming pool. Remnants of the original interiors include slabs of reddish-brown marble and a defunct-looking tiered water feature finished in white mosaic, while the pair of elevators still sport old-fashion manual doors. The hotel attracts a real mix of customers, from families with kids to noisy young revelers; so while the vibe tends to be peaceful and relaxed during the day, some nightly noise is inevitable during party season. 

The HSM Don Juan 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. It's a little more than five minutes on foot to reach the resort's long stretch of sandy beach, along with the start of main street, lined with bars, restaurants, and tourist shops. The nightlife hub of Punta Ballena (AKA The Strip) with its clubs, strip joints, and often wild revelry is roughly a 10-minute walk. There's more family-oriented fun at the Western Park water park, about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Palma's Old Town is a 20 minute drive, while getting to Palma de Mallorca takes up to 30 minutes by car.

Each of the hotel's 182 guest rooms are pretty much identical, with hardwood flooring, varnished lightwood furnishings, and textured white walls adorned with boat-themed artworks. Renovated in 2008, the units' style is starting to look dated, but interiors are well-maintained. All open to balconies with patio-style seating, most overlooking the pool with just a handful on each floor facing the (generally quiet) street. While external noise is rarely a problem, some guests have complained of poor soundproofing between rooms. In-room amenities are limited, though 32-inch flat-screen TVs were all new for 2016 (albeit with just a few English-speaking channels). There are rentable safes and Wi-Fi is free, but units lack mini-fridges and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are functional and clean, with shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and basic sachet toiletries. Either air-conditioning or heating is available depending on the weather. Room sleep up to three guests with the addition of an extra bed.

A rather old-fashioned but characterful dining room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with eggs to order in the morning and twice-weekly themed buffets in the evening. There's no outside terrace though there's plenty of space inside for the size of the hotel. Breakfast is always included in the rate, and half-board and full-board plans are also available. Reports suggest food quality is surprisingly good for the level of hotel. Snacks such as panini, pasta, and pizza are available at the poolside bar, which also has daily cocktail deals and slushy machines. The pool is fairly small, though decent relative to the size of the hotel, and there's a separate section for kids. A low-key animation program includes darts, ping-pong, and cocktail games, while there's nightly entertainment on an outdoor stage that many guests have rated highly. The swish lobby bar also opens in the evenings, with a large TV and lots of seating. Parking on-site is free of charge, as is the Wi-Fi throughout the property, though there's no fitness facilities.