Sentido Tucan

A facade of distinctive circular balconies and a white marble entryway help the Sentido Tucan stand out right from the moment guests arrive. Thankfully, interiors have benefitted from a 2015 renovation -- much of which was completed during our visit -- and public areas at the hotel are fresh and modern. Once inside, expect to see gray marble floors and contemporary seating that has a blend of mod and antique silhouettes. Guests check-in at a swish, translucent front desk where new arrivals are offered welcome drinks. Shabby-chic touches complement vases filled with sand and seashells to create a subtly beachy vibe, which is appropriate as one of this hotel's main draws is its proximity to the sea. While there's not much in the way of gardens, the lobby looks out directly over a quaint pond and a spacious pool terrace lined with rows of lounge chairs. Thanks to the hotel's adult-only policy, lack of background music, and low-key poolside entertainment, the vibe is particularly relaxed and relatively quiet. Clientele lean towards younger and middle-aged couples -- the majority come from the U.K. and most opt for the hotel's all-inclusive plan.

The hotel is located in the center of Cala D'or, a popular resort destination on Majorca's southeast coast that's characterized by low-rise, whitewashed buildings, most of which are hotels and vacation apartments. The road is lined with various souvenir shops and restaurants, and there's a mini-market just a couple minutes away on foot. The main Cala Gran beach is just down the block from the rear exit of the hotel, while the smaller and prettier Playa Cala D'or is around a five-minute walk from the hotel. The village's pedestrianized commercial center is also a block away, and is full of eateries, bars, and retail outlets. A train-shaped resort bus stops right next to the hotel and connects to various other parts of the area, including Cala Egos and Cala Ferrera. Palma de Mallorca Airport is just under an hour's drive away, while Palma's quaint Old Town is a bit farther.

Each of the 177 rooms are virtually identical, all having been renovated in 2015. They share streamlined, modern styling, with light wood floors, cool gray accents, and minimalist furniture in cream tones that has a subtle retro feel. Beds have backlit headboards and are positioned across from room-length mirrors. Sliding doors open up to semi-circular balconies, most of which overlook the pool area; a few have partial sea views, though some overlook the road or the hotel parking lot. Additionally, high balcony walls mean that guests aren't able to take in the views when seated. With many rooms overlooking the stage near the pool, some guests complain of inevitable noise from the evening entertainment.

Standard features include simple coffee- and tea-making facilities, air-conditioning, free safes (not always the case in Mallorca), and wall-mounted 32-inch flat-screen TVs, though English-language channels are limited. Mini-fridges include free bottled water, but no other minibar items. Bathrooms are clean and modern, with powerful wall-mounted hairdryers and spacious walk-in showers with good water pressure and both rainfall and directional heads. In line with the hotel's eco-friendly ethos, the only toiletries are foaming soap and shampoo in wall-mounted dispensers, though additional toiletries are available on request.

Buffet-style meals are served in the hotel's bright and spacious dining room, which opens to a covered outside terrace area. Breakfast is the usual mix of pastries, fruits, yogurts, and hot items such as bacon, sausages, and cooked-to-order eggs. Late breakfast is also available at the poolside snack bar, and light meals such as hamburgers and salads are served throughout the afternoon; ice-cream and cakes are offered for just an hour window. Lunch and dinner have a rotation of dishes that repeat every two weeks. While the food quality is decent enough, the vibe can feel a little canteen-like. There's also an a la carte restaurant serving Spanish tapas and an excellent selection of wines. Note that room service is not offered.

The hotel's pool is long enough for swimming and is surrounded by plenty of lounge chairs. There's also a poolside bar. Overlooking the pool terrace is a bright and free-to-access spa with a whirlpool tub, a sauna, and steam rooms (as well as a modern gym and massage treatments). Evening entertainment is put on several times weekly, typically offering bingo, quizzes, and Balearic folk and flamenco dancing. However, when Oyster.com visited, the entertainment came in the form of a solo singer belting out mostly Rod Stewart hits. Note that Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout the resort and it's fast enough for streaming video, but the signal does sometimes disconnect. 

As well as breakfast-only and half-board rates, there are two levels of all-inclusive plans -- regular and premium. Both cover the buffet breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and include self-serve soft and alcoholic drinks (local brands). The premium all-inclusive option also covers international branded alcohol and once-per-week dining at the a la carte tapas restaurant (reservations required).