Hotel Serrano Palace

With its smart gray-stone and black marble facade, the Serrano Palace certainly stands as one of the more striking-looking hotels in the area. Stepping into its bright and spacious lobby, clad wall-to-wall in more polished stone, onyx marble, and wood paneling, the ambience is indeed instantly upmarket. A glass of chilled Cava and handmade truffles at check-in also makes for a pleasing arrival experience. That said, while the Serrano Palace was the first luxury-level hotel in Cala Ratjada, its glory feels a little faded now with much of the property left feeling a little last century. Cruise ship-style decor in some public area adds to the slightly dated feel, and much of the resort-style complex lacks the finish of a genuine luxury establishment. Typical for the resort town, the hotel attracts predominately German clientele, largely couples, as well as some British and Italians. Guests should be aware that there's a casual attitude to optional clothing in some of the facilities, including saunas and the hotel's rooftop nudist zone.

The hotel is located in a prime spot on the southern edge of Cala Ratjada and steps from the lovely sandy beach of Cala Moll. It's also just a couple minutes' walk to the seafront promenade, dotted with bars and restaurants and stretching to the resort center -- another 10 minutes on foot and where the buzzing Harbor District and most of the resort's dining and low-key nightlife is found. While this is a sleepy fishing village vibe off season, numbers swell in the summer months -- mostly with German vacationers -- with beaches sometimes feeling a little crowded. The historic towns of Capdepera and Arta are a 10- and 15-minute drive, respectively. Positioned on the far eastern point of the island, the hotel is remote from the capital Palma and Palma de Mallorca Airport, taking up to an hour-and a-half by car.

The hotel has 152 rooms, all of which are decorated in a combination of rust-colored marble, walnut panel furnishings, and coordinating pink pattern fabrics. While some might describe the look as classically elegant, others will find it dowdy, busy, and old-fashioned. Starting at 440 square feet (41 square meters) the rooms are some of the most spacious in the resort, with suites measuring almost double that. All open to large terraces or balconies with pairs of loungers, with either pool, street, or partial sea views. Standard amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with a few English-speaking channels), well-stocked minibars, and electric safes. Coffee- and tea-making facilities are available on request for a fee -- though they're free in suites. In-room Wi-Fi is also charged. Standard bathrooms are clad in yellow marble, with shower/tub combos, twin basins, and old-style hose hairdryers. Bathroom amenities also include bathrobes, slippers, and quality Pascal Morabito toiletries. Suites add whirlpool tubs and multi-jet walk-in showers, while the top Imperial Suite features a rooftop terrace hot tub.

Features here are relaxing, pleasant, and focused on adults. With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool, the hotel's main restaurant is bright and spacious (if a little dated) and the setting for an excellent buffet breakfast each morning. Orange juice is freshly squeezed and there's also chilled Cava for making mimosas, plus live cooking stations for fresh eggs. Breakfast is always included, and most guests also choose the half-board rate which also covers a buffet dinner (accompanied by live piano music). The pool bar is open for snacks and lunch throughout the day, and a grand glitzy lounge bar provides generally good evening entertainment. The outdoor swimming pool is long enough for a good swim and lined with plenty of loungers, plus a handful of canopied daybeds available for rent. Kids have a separate splash section, though there's no other child-friendly facilities. Spa facilities are impressive with a stylish heated indoor pool with a whirlpool section, saunas, steam rooms, and various sensory, aroma, and light experiences, plus a range of massage treatments. The hotel also features a rooftop nudist terrace with loungers and superb views over the surrounding area. On-site parking is available for a fee.