Hotel Roc Linda

A tired facade with peeling paintwork and towel-draped balconies hardly makes the best first impression upon arriving at Hotel Roc Linda. And stepping inside it hardly improves, with dated and uninviting decor that reflects its 1970s-era origins. Beyond the gloomy reception area is a roomy lounge scattered with tatty furniture arranged around a small stage (which is no longer in use). Half of this L-shaped building overlooks a basic pool area where haggard-looking loungers sit on frayed strips of artificial grass and terra-cotta tiling. Two sets of stairs lead up to another spacious terrace, particularly sunny and quiet beyond the soft whirring of AC units and occasional jet engines overhead. Two cramped elevators transport guests to one of six floors with drab poorly-lit hallways. Clientele are mostly the over-60 set on budget getaways, joined by some families over the school holiday season. Some of the top-floor balconies give a direct eye-line to the airport, also making it particularly popular with plane-spotters. Major renovations have been scheduled for 2018.

The hotel is located in a largely residential and particularly quiet neighborhood of the small and laid-back Majorcan resort of Can Pastilla. There's little in the immediate surroundings beyond a couple of restaurants and small supermarket, and the resort's sweeping sandy beach is just over five minutes away on foot. While this small seaside town has no shortage of tourist-oriented bars and restaurants, those looking for nightlife should look elsewhere. The start of the long Playa de Palma beach is also just over five minutes away on foot and stretches several miles to the livelier resort of El Arenal. In the other direction is the buzzing island's capital, Palma, 10 to 15 minutes away by car -- alternatively buses stop just outside the hotel. This is literally the nearest resort to Palma de Mallorca Airport (transfers take around 10 minutes), so expect frequent airplane noise overhead. 

The hotel has 189 air-conditioned rooms, all identical with the only real difference being whether they overlook the pool area to the rear or car park and street to the front. While rooms looked clean, the decor -- terrazzo flooring, lumpy-textured walls, and patterned fabrics -- feels old-fashioned and tired. Furnishings also display scuffing and numerous signs of wear and tear. Rooms are fairly spacious, however, and open to large balconies or terraces -- some upper levels have glimpses of the sea and even to the nearby airport's runways. Although old tube-style TVs have all been replaced with 32-inch flat-screens, amenities are otherwise basic with little beyond manual safes and mini-fridges (both at a charge). Bathrooms are functional and fairly well-maintained, with either shower-tub combos, or shower stalls, plus bidets and wall-mounted soap dispensers; hairdryers are available on request (for a fee). In-room Wi-Fi is also only available for a charge.

Features at Hotel Roc Linda are adequate, but don't quite check all the boxes of a typical Can Pastilla resort. Floor-to-ceiling windows and cheerful decor bring a bright and airy feel to the hotel's dining room, where buffet breakfast and dinner are served daily. Breakfast is an ample spread of eggs, bacon, sausages, and the usual cold options such as cereals, fruit, and yogurts, plus a cooked-to-order egg station. Dinner is a mix of Mediterranean and international favorites, such as salads, pastas, chips, and pizza, and show cooking grill of meat and fish dishes. Breakfast is always included and half-board is optional; while not outstanding food quality is decent with a good variety for most tastes. Drinks and snacks are also available through the day from the bar, which has a hatch out to the pool area. The pool is square-shaped and fairly small, with a separate splash pool for kids and surrounded by sunbeds that have seen better days. There are a few games including pool and pinball, and an upper-level sun terrace. No poolside animation means the area is more peaceful than many (though prone to noise from the nearby airport). There's no gym on-site, though a small garden contains a tennis court and mini-golf course, both in need of a makeover. Free Wi-Fi is available around the lounge and bar area, but in-room connections cost a fee.