Hotel Playa Esperanza

Before even entering the Hotel Playa Esperanza, its gleaming white facade with glass-paneled balconies and refined '70s-era architecture sets a swish and impressive tone. A fresh, contemporary mix of polished gray marble, low-slung modern seating, and monochrome-meets-metallic interiors create a smart, upscale atmosphere. Natural elements such as driftwood sculpture, vertical wall-gardens, and a mother-of-pearl chandelier soften the sharp modern look. Access to the buildings six floors is via a trio of sleek-looking elevators or a stairwell that spirals up a central atrium to a sunny skylight. 

The hotel is the middle of three buildings that make up this extensive complex, flanked by Plaza Esperanza Suites on one side and Esperanza Park Apartments on the other. They all share the impressive 15 acres (60,000 square meters) of beautiful, rolling grounds made up of well-tended gardens dotted with numerous palm and pine trees and lined with meandering footpaths that connect straight to the neighboring beach. Despite its size, the vibe is serene and relaxed with couples reclined on loungers scattered around the lawns and -- over school holiday season -- families with kids cooling off around the pools.  

The property is part of a long strip of hotels sandwiched between the beautiful Playa de Muro beach and the main road that runs parallel with Alcudia Bay. There's not a great deal in the way of dining or nightlife in the immediate area, though the main road is lined with shops and supermarkets, and there are a few restaurants within walking distance. Besides direct access to a scenic stretch of sand, the next nearest attraction is the Alcudia Nature Reserve -- protected wetlands perfect for bird-watching -- a five-minute walk away. Livelier Port d'Alcudia is also a 10-minute drive or 20 minutes by bus. The pretty Alcudia old town and nearby Roman ruins of Pollentia are also 15 minutes' drive away. Situated at the opposite end of the island, the capital of Palma and Palma de Mallorca Airport can take up to an hour to reach by car. 

The hotel has 338 guest rooms and suites, all of which were renovated through 2014 and 2015 to include a bright, modern finish that combines wood-effect flooring, travertine marble tops, and a palette of muted colors. Suites add separate living areas with second TVs and sofa beds. Amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with a long list of international channels), minibars (stocked with spirits, beer, wine, and soft drinks), and electronic safes (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free of charge, but speeds vary on location and usage. 

Some bathrooms are newer than others; around half were renovated in 2016 to include walk-in showers. Un-renovated bathrooms feature shower/tub combos. All bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, and come with hotel-brand toiletries and wall-mounted hairdryers. 

Sliding doors open to balconies or terraces with rattan seating. Entry-level rooms overlook the hotel's parking lot and main road (so can be prone to traffic noise). Most rooms, however, feature at least side views over the pretty gardens and scenic coastline; some units have full-frontal panoramas.

The Hotel Playa Esperanza offers an impressive selection of leisure and dining facilities. Breakfast is served in the spacious and bright dining room with floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows that make the most of the fine sea views. The morning spread is excellent and varied with plenty of cooked-to-order items such as eggs and pancakes. Dinner is a choice of two sittings and tables are allocated for the rest of the stay (as is the sitting time, which can feel inflexible). Food quality is excellent and the half-board plan (breakfast and dinner) comes as standard (drinks not included). A second dining option is on offer at the poolside Luna restaurant, for a good choice of slightly expensive a la carte dishes. The main bar provides live music and opens to a terrace with sunset views.

With a choice of three pools scattered around the complex (the apartment building's pool is of the huge lagoon variety) and the beach just steps away, there are certainly no shortages of places to take a dip. Sun loungers and umbrellas are set up on the sand, and there are water sports activities on offer. There's also a heated indoor pool and separate spa with a jetted thermal pool, cold plunge pool, whirlpool tub, six treatment rooms, and saunas and steam baths. It's only open to those over 13, and only the first visit is free. Children ages 4-years and older have use of a supervised kids' club and there are nursery areas in the main buildings. There are also a playground, a small sports club, and a free tennis court.

Wi-Fi is free throughout, but the signal can be spotty.