Castillo Hotel Son Vida - Palma de Mallorca, Spain 

This is a lovely hotel conveniently located about 20-25 minutes drive from Palma airport and only about 15 minutes from Palma old town. With the exception of a little attention to detail on a couple of minor occasions (for example we had arranged for a late checkout but after the usual noon checkout time our swipe room keys stopped working and had to be replaced), everything about the place is 5-star including the prices of course but overall you get what you pay for. It's a bit of a drive to the best beaches and some of the quaint little towns around the island but driving in Mallorca is not too painful and if you don't have a car or prefer not to drive much you could easily spend all your time at the hotel since the pool areas are very nice and there are several restaurants and a bar all of which have lovely, large patios with sweeping views and good food/service. The breakfast buffet is fantastic (though it's exactly the same every day so be prepared to get a bit bored if you stay here for more than a few days) and fills two full rooms (one is a cold buffet and the other a hot buffet) -- my friend and I stayed for six days and not even once did we get hungry for lunch after this breakfast so we didn't eat again until dinner! Personally I don't think this is a place for families/kids since it is very stately and clearly designed with tranquility in mind (and there is very little on the grounds or nearby to keep kids occupied) but as people tend to think that any place with a pool means that it is child-friendly there were indeed some families and times when the pool area was swarming with very noisy kids, quite a few even playing ball and other games which seemed inappropriate. Once a woman trying to read had to approach some kids and tell them to quiet down since they were really screaming and didn't seem to have any adult supervision (or if they did clearly the noise was not disturbing them). There are three very nice pools here (two outdoor and one covered with a very nice hot tub next to it and a fourth pool and play area for toddlers but the kids here during our stay were older than that area is designed for) and there were a couple of times I couldn't escape noisy kids no matter which one I went to but oh well -- happily this was not the case at all times and most of the kids were fairly well-behaved in the restaurants and elsewhere during our stay. Our room was very spacious and luxurious -- if cozy/comfy beds, bed linens and towels are your thing you will definitely not be disappointed.

I have read all of the reviews here. Some I find truthful and representative of my experience. If you have never stayed in a 5 star hotel before - you will think that this place is heaven and as a good 4 star hotel by northern european standards you would be correct. Firstly, this place is terribly overpriced. They have a technique of hiding costs and expenses everywhere they can. It is very unprofessional and at this level something I have never experienced previously. So if you think its expensive at the start, wait until you start needing service. When I was there, the evening before I left, there was an English couple complaining quite aggresively at the reception. Nothing here is complimentary. It has the functional sterility of a upmarket commodity provider hotel. I think the majors probably do it better. Yes it is an old castle, and yes it does have some sized oil paintings on the wall and a suit of armour for a knight. But after that it is really difficult to see anything special. 80% 5 star service, 150% of the price. I have stayed at several leading hotels of the world, and the service is impeccable. This has a feeling of the emporers new clothes, they believe that they are special and dare you to contradict. Just because you joined the band, it does not mean you can play the piano. If you want a very expensive (and slightly offensively money grabbing) experience, which will not represent a true 5 star (grand lux) experience, then this is your place. location - out of town, though a slighly shabby district. facilities - present and functional, but no magic. Seen, much, much better - at this level.