Sol Palmanova by Melia - All Inclusive

From the outside, with its characterless beige, balconied facade, the Sol Palmanova looks little different from the typical, '70s-era resort hotel. Stepping inside, however, the lobby is a sleek and modern space that combines a minimalist monochrome color scheme with contemporary furnishings. The front desk provides a stylish splash of color with light boxes glowing in shades of purple and red. A 2015 refit to the guest rooms gave them a similar contemporary appearance. The complex is actually two properties in one (formerly the Hotel Mirlos and the Hotel Tordos) that together can accommodate a whopping 1,500 guests, making it one of the largest on the island. Despite its size, the hotel is kept spotlessly clean and well-maintained throughout, though that doesn't stop it feeling crowded when full and small elevators struggle to cope with the numbers. Guests report that staff are particularly outgoing and attentive, adding to the hotel's friendly and lively atmosphere. An all-inclusive hotel, it's particularly popular with families who make up the bulk of the clientele, though vacationing couples are also well-represented; almost all guests are British.

The hotel is situated overlooking a road in the popular tourist resort of Palmanova, on the southwest corner of Majorca. While not on the beachfront, it's a few minutes' walk from the the middle of the resort's three sandy beaches -- Playa de na Nadala -- and plenty of bars and restaurants. The wild nightlife of neighboring Magaluf is a 20-minute walk or a five-minute cab journey; there families can also find the child-friendly Katmandu Park. The charming cobbled streets of Palma's Old Town are about half-an-hour's drive away, and Palma de Mallorca Airport is around the same distance.

The complex has a grand total of 653 guest rooms, all of which underwent renovations in 2015 that replaced dated interiors with understated contemporary styling. The design consists of crisp white walls, dark-wood flooring, and modern, white furnishings. The only color comes from various shades of beige in throw pillows and love seats, and this bare look can make the rooms lack warmth. Some rooms are also tight on space. All have sliding glass doors that open to furnished balconies or terraces, with some higher-level rooms featuring great sea views; others have spacious sun terraces overlooking the pool. Modern amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with a good selection of UK channels), mini-fridges, and safes (for a fee); though there's no tea- and coffee-making facilities. In-room Wi-Fi is provided, though generally very slow. Updated bathrooms have walk-in showers (with rainfall and handheld showerheads) and wall-mounted hairdryers.

Unsurprisingly for a hotel of this size, there are two main dining rooms, each serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style with live-cooking stations. While most describe the food quality as decent enough, some feel it's a little canteen-like and dishes can get repetitive. Each restaurant includes a dining area for kids. There's also a very spacious lobby bar with TVs showing regular sporting events, and two poolside bars also serving ice-cream. The complex features an impressive four pools, two of which are small kiddy pools. The main pool is long and lagoon-style, but reports suggest early-morning lounger reservation is rife.  The kids' pools include waterslides and fun water features. Younger guests are also kept entertained by a kids' club with art and craft workshops, sports, and pool games. There's also a daily poolside activities program for adults who want to join in. Wi-Fi is free in most areas of the hotel, though connection is slow and spotty. There's no gym, but the hotel does put on regular spin classes and aqua aerobics

The all-inclusive plan includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet-style, alongside house wines, beer, and soft drinks. Snacks are available three times a day (between mealtimes) from one of the restaurants, and ice cream is served at the poolside bars. Soft drinks, local beer, spirits, and wine are covered in the poolside bars throughout the day and into the evening from the lounge bar until midnight (and half off bar prices after). An All-Inclusive Gold plan is also available with a supplement that covers some premium drinks, a longer list of cocktails, and branded ice cream.