Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace 

We had an incredible 7-day half-board stay at the Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace & Spa and cannot praise it enough. A major tip for future guests: request rooms 102 to 106! We were in 103, and this specific section has a private entrance off the reception area. With only five rooms in that corridor, it is extremely quiet. Our balcony perfectly overlooked the pool, meaning we enjoyed beautiful sunshine from midday to evening—it was so relaxing to sit out and listen to the music drifting over from the Gran Hotel. The atmosphere was fantastic. I had read reviews complaining about the hotel having a lot of German guests, but as an Irish person, I found this to be a huge positive. It was a relief not to overhear loud, overbearing English conversations; the German guests were incredibly respectful and polite (even if they lack the Irish sense of humor!). The food was consistently of the highest quality, with a different cultural theme every evening. The restaurant staff were always in great form, and the table staff were super attentive, clearing plates efficiently without ever making us feel rushed or guilty for indulging! The facilities are just as impressive. The spa is brilliant, and the outdoor pool is wonderfully warm, feeling like a treated saltwater pool rather than being heavily chlorinated. I also have to commend the pool staff for managing the sun loungers. They check the area before opening, and if anyone leaves a towel unattended for hours, the attendant will actively remove their belongings if you bring it to her attention. The evening entertainment in the top lounge area was fantastic. A memory that will stay with us forever was watching the total solar eclipse from this top area—the hotel made it an incredibly special event. Lastly, getting around is a breeze. The Bus 25 stop at Mega Park is cheap, easy to use, and goes directly to the aquarium and Palma. If you need a taxi, always ask reception to call one; they arrive within a minute (I tried a local app and waited half an hour). An absolute sanctuary of a hotel; do not hesitate to book!