Hotel y Apartamentos Casablanca

While you wouldn't know it from its smart, modernized facade (updated in 2016), the Hotel y Apartamentos Casablanca dates all the way back to 1959 and has the distinction of being the first hotel to be built in Santa Ponsa. Once inside, the hotel's '50s origins are a little more apparent, with polished marble floors, orange-striped furniture, travertine walls, and wood paneling. It's dated, but impeccably presented and spotlessly clean. Comfy lounge seating, antique pieces, and original oil paintings add to the feeling of a well kept home. The property is composed of over 30,000 square feet of gardens that tier down spacious terraces via stone steps to the main pool. While those with limited mobility will find getting around some of the complex a challenge, there is an elevator in the neighboring apartment block that connects to the pool terrace without steps. The hotel has been run by the same family since it opened. The present manager, Pedro, is the son of the original owner -- his daughter, Ana, will take up the keys next. This helps create a familiar, friendly, and homey atmosphere that attracts a good mix of families with kids and couples, including plenty of repeat customers -- many who have been visiting for decades. 

The hotel is located on a relatively quiet, semi-residential street just off the main road that runs through Santa Ponsa and along its beachfront. The south end of the sandy bay is less than five minutes away on foot, as are plenty of restaurants, bars, and mini-supermarkets. Most of the area's nightlife is on the other side of the bay (around 10 minutes' walk away). For wilder partying, Magaluf is a 10-minute cab journey. There's also a small and quieter beach, Caló d'en Pellicer,  about 10 minutes' walk away. Ponsa's golf course and an archaeological park are also within walking distance. The cobbled streets of Palma's Old Town are under 30 minutes' drive away. Palma de Mallorca Airport is around the same distance.

The hotel's main building houses 87 guest rooms, which include singles, doubles, and family rooms that sleep up to two adults and two children. Although rooms are fairly well maintained, decor is on the dated side, with tiled floors, old-fashioned furniture, and textured white walls. Simple blue bed coverlets and striped or floral curtains add a little color to the spaces. Twin beds are pushed together to make a double bed. Most rooms open to balconies or terraces with street, pool, or partial sea views. Room amenities include either 32-inch flat-screen TVs or 20-inch tube-style TVs, air-conditioning, and telephones. Spotty in-room Wi-Fi is available for a per-device fee. Clean bathrooms are also dated. Most have walk-in showers (some have tubs), wall-mounted hairdryers, and simple toiletries. There are 24 one- and two-bedroom apartments in the neighboring block that include living rooms with dining areas, sofa beds, and kitchenettes with fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, kettles, and toasters. Studios with combined living and sleeping areas are also available. All apartments open to balconies, though some have poor or no views.

Floor-to-ceiling windows provide plenty of natural light in the hotel's restaurant, which also opens to an alfresco terrace overlooking the pool. Breakfast is a decent hot and cold buffet, though it's not always included in price and service ends a little early. A half-board plan also covers the evening meal, and food is generally good quality. There are also two bars, including one poolside that offers an a la carte lunch menu. The indoor bar has live music twice a week. The hotel's swimming pool is an impressive size, with plenty of loungers and a separate section for kids. Cyclists have a storage room for bikes, and those arriving by car have access to a small parking garage for a fee. Free Wi-Fi is also available in the bar, lounges, and reception area. There are two desktop computers and a pool table for guests to use.