Hotel Pure Salt Garonda

In a resort area awash with middle-of-the-road hotels, the luxury-level Hotel Pure Salt Garonda really stands out from the crowd. Before even entering the property, its smart, cubic-balconied facade distinguishes itself as a cut above. Passing through pretty gardens, with manicured lawns, tidy rows of palm trees, and beautiful tropical flowers also adds a feeling of tranquility and seclusion before arriving in the hotel's lobby. Pebble-studded columns with wraparound red leather seating create a swish and stylish look. Check-in is sit down at a chunky wooden desk, though lack of background music or cozy-looking areas detracted from the atmosphere on our summer 2017 visit. The spa and fitness room located just off the reception area also felt a little oddly positioned. Completed updated in 2015 and joining the Pure Salt brand in 2016, the hotel is immaculately finished throughout, with an elegant wrought iron staircase and checkered marble floors as the only nod to the hotel's age. Elevators ferry guest to seven floors, and to the property's rear is a small but sunny pool terrace with expansive beach views. As an adults-only hotel, the vibe is relaxed and distinctly grown-up, attracting the more well-heeled couples mostly hailing from Germany and the UK, with also -- and unusually -- a share of American guests. 

The Hotel Pure Salt Garonda has a prime spot overlooking the bustling seafront promenade that runs the three-mile (five-kilometer) length of Playa de Palma beach. The surrounding Les Meravelles neighborhood is a pleasant and buzzy resort, filled with restaurants, bars, and tourist shops. It's also not far from the scruffier El Arenal end of the bay, characterized by kebab shops, nightclubs, and noisy bars typified by the Megapark drinking complex less than a five-minute walk away. While certainly busy during high season, however, the beach is long and wide, with fine golden sand and calm waters. The location is also convenient for Palma de Mallorca Airport, which is within a 10-minute drive, with Palma itself is under 20 minutes.

All guest rooms and suites were updated between 2012 and 2015, smartly finished with a combination of wood-effect flooring, crisp white walls, and simple contemporary furniture (with some pieces looking suspiciously IKEA-esque). Large photographs of views around the island provide some color against an otherwise muted palette. Starting at roughly 235 square feet (22 square meters) entry-level rooms are on the small side for this level of hotel, though Premium rooms add more space and Suites are positively roomy. Rooms all open to furnished balconies or terraces, with rattan seating and at least partial sea views in most cases; the rest overlook the garden. Junior Suites extend to spacious terraces, large enough for a pair of loungers, and feature sweeping full-frontal panoramas of the bay. Suites lack sea views, but they have direct garden access and private whirlpool tubs. Amenities are all suitably high-end, with 40-inch flat-screen TVs, pillow menus, very well-stocked minibars (with over 40 items), and free Wi-Fi. Premium rooms add snazzy, wall-integrated TVs, while Suite perks include iPod docking stations, Nespresso machines, and whirlpool baths with sea views (in Junior Suites). Bathrooms are done in moody dark marble, with double sinks, walk-in rainfall showers, and hairdryers; standard toiletries are quality hotel brand, with Bulgari products in Suites. 

Facilities on offer at the Pure Salt Garonda certainly tick all the boxes you'd expect at an upscale property. A spa just off the lobby lounge feels appropriately deluxe, with sauna, steam room, whirlpool tub, and heated indoor pool that opens directly to a garden terrace with loungers; spa treatments also use top-quality products. A glass-sided fitness room with up-to-date equipment also adjoins the lobby, and feels a little exposed. On the sea-facing side of the hotel sits the outdoor pool, which is on the small side, as is the surrounding terrace, which caps the number of loungers allowed. More loungers are available at the beach for a fee, though the hotel doesn't offer any water sport activities. Free yoga classes are held poolside or on the beach twice weekly. Bicycle are also are available to rent.  Though not always included in the rate, breakfast is a highlight and offers a wide range of buffet items, freshly-made coffee, chilled cava, and eggs cooked to order. An alfresco terrace also offers sea views, and an optional half-board plan covers a three-course dinner (with three options per course) with quality food. Guests can also opt for dinner at the attractive Mikel & Pintxo tapas bistro on the ground floor. Room service is available 24/7. A bar provides occasional live music and a good choice of cocktails, which can also be enjoyed with sea views.