HM Alma Beach

It's a great modern hotel conversion, probably the least clinical feeling in Can Pastilla, of which there are many. Beware of the single rooms. Room sizes are generally small throughout, but of the single rooms, of which there are about 9, 5 are exceptionally tiny (101, 201, 301, 401, 501). 121, 221, 321 all have large balconies with morning sun, and a window in the bathroom. 421 has a window in the bathroom but a lack of balcony. The bathroom and showers are also larger in these latter rooms, with more space around the door and wardrobe areas. Whilst the offer of single rooms is rare and commendable, the difference between these room types is immense for comfort, and arguably should be on a different room rate.

Our room was comfortable, clean and air-conditioned and the hotel has a tastefully-decorated and air-conditioned lobby and adjoining lounge and dining areas. There are two outdoor pools (one on the roof) and each has a bar where you can order food and the service is good. It was easy to find places around the downstairs pool but the roof terrace is popular and the loungers are taken early. The piece-de-resistance of this hotel is its fabulous breakfast and evening dinner buffets, with a wide choice of dishes, all of excellent quality. There are themed dinner nights, such as Italian, Japanese, Spanish and a cheese night. All fabulous and delicious. Alma Beach is about 2 minutes’ walk from a lovely Mediterranean bay and beach and the town comes to life after dark, with endless shopping streets and restaurants to explore. All the hotel staff were friendly, welcoming and helpful. I think it’s also fair to say that some parts of the local neighbourhood are very deprived, so the views of the rooftop pool you see on the travel brochures give a more contemporary feel to the resort than the reality. It’s more ‘old town’ than modern. Nonetheless, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, which included a short uber ride into the vibrant capital of Palma, where you can find everything from a stunning cathedral to high-end retail stores.

Me 43 and my mum 65 had a 5 night break here at the end of June. We had a double room with a balcony. We knew we didn’t have a sea view as that was extra. Our view was of buildings like residential/hotels. But you can see the planes taking off and landing depending on your floor, we were floor 5. One thing that struck us with the room, like others have said, is the shower cubicle being in the middle of the room. It is frosted out but not 100%. Toilet is behind a closed door, it’s just the shower and sink in the main room. There is not much storage but we managed as we travelled light. You get a fridge, safe, hairdryer and kettle in the room. Two chairs and a table on the balcony plus a drying line. Otherwise the room is very nice and spotless. The ground floor pool doesn’t get the sun until much later and not that many sun loungers from what I saw. We used the sky bar pool on floor 8. It’s really nice but again not many sun beds or loungers. The snacks from the sky bar are very nice but pricey. They have music playing which we thought was quite loud especially if your lounger is right next to it. There is another area to sunbathe on floor 5 with no pool which has beds and loungers and is usually quiet. We didn’t eat at the hotel other than the one snack so can’t comment. We had food at El Goucho which is very nice and also Mel’s bar for home cooked British food. There is a bar called The Manchester Pub too which is very friendly. Really nice place to fully relax and unwind. We will be returning.