Zafiro Palace Alcudia

Expect to be wowed upon arrival at the Zafiro Palace Alcudia. Automatic security gates open to a driveway that leads to the property, with super-sleek clean lines and sharp contemporary design. This high-end complex opened in 2015 and broke the mold in terms of the area's typical resort-style hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the swish and airy lobby create a feeling of space and light, and the vibe continues throughout. Guests are greeted with a glass of chilled cava, which adds to the upscale experience. The property has nine buildings, six of which house the all-suite accommodations centered around a series of immaculate sun terraces, multiple pools, and manicured gardens brimming with plant life. The hotel is undoubtedly geared toward families with kids, offering numerous child-focused facilities, plus there's ample pampering opportunities for the grown-ups. British families seeking a luxury-level resort experience make up the bulk of the clientele, and most opt for the high-end all-inclusive plan.

The Zafiro Palace is set just off one of the main roads that runs though the popular tourist town of Port d'Alcudia, on the northeastern coast of Majorca. The start of the resort's strikingly wide sandy beach -- also famed for its calm and particularly shallow waters -- is no more than five minutes away on foot. There's also plenty of tourist-oriented restaurants, bars, and mini-markets within a short stroll, and the marina and port district is also about a five-minute walk. It's about a five-minute drive to the pretty medieval town of Alcudia, and getting to Pollensa takes roughly 20 minutes by car. The island's capital Palma de Mallorca and the main airport can be reached in a 45-minute drive. 

Of the hotel's 369 guest rooms, even the entry-level Junior Suites clock in at a spacious 462 square feet (43 square meters), capping off at a vast 1,938 square feet (180 square meters) in the top-level Owner's Suites. Interiors in all have sophisticated muted earth tones, with stylish modern furnishings, gray wood-effect flooring, and warm wood paneling; geometric artwork and retro lighting add to the understated, chic air. All extend to spacious terraces or balconies furnished with comfy loungers or circular daybeds, most overlooking the gardens and pool complex. Swim-up rooms have direct pool access while Penthouse units offer sunny duplex patios with whirlpool tubs and Bali beds. Units that are less well-positioned face the relatively quiet road or parking lot, and others the noisy kids' pool area. Standard amenities are suitably upscale, with 40-inch flat-screen TVs (with plenty of UK-based and kids' channels), well-stocked minibars, and Nespresso machines. In-room Wi-Fi is free of charge and good enough for video streaming. Full suites come with basic kitchenettes, separate lounges with sofa beds, and extra TVs. Some find the semi-open-plan layout of the bathrooms unusual, but amenities are high-end, with separate rainfall showers and tubs, double sinks, full-size hairdryers, and quality Osme organic toiletries in large bottles.

Even for a high-end, resort-style hotel, the Zafiro Palaca offers an impressive package of dining and relaxation facilities. First and foremost, the kids are well looked after, with three supervised mini-clubs catering to different age groups (from four to 15 years) and have activities throughout the day. The pirate ship splash pool with numerous waterslides is always a big hit with the little ones, plus there's a fun aqua-dome in the hotel's huge main pool. There are also six swim-up pools, and a quiet adults-only pool lined with daybeds. Typical of luxury-level hotels, there's no real animation program (though yoga, pilates, and aqua-gym sessions are available) and sports facilities are limited to mini-golf and a multi-sport court. The hotel does feature a spa with heated indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, and whirlpool tub, plus a decent range of massage and beauty treatments, and a well-equipped gym with natural light. With five restaurants, guests don't lack for dining options. Most meals take place, however, at the main buffet restaurant that opens for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serves an excellent spread with table service and live cooking stations. The other four restaurants are a la carte and offer themed menus that include Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, and a grill. Guests give high marks across the board to the quality buffet and a al carte dining. Breakfast is not included as standard, though a choice of plans range from room-only to all-inclusive. Drinks and freshly made cocktails are served in the roomy lounge bar and at the swim-up wet bar, plus there's a small coffee shop just off the lobby. There's nightly entertainment on an outdoor stage, with a better-than-average mix of cabaret, live music, and dance. Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout the complex, and generally fast and reliable.