Saratoga - Palma de Mallorca, Spain     

This is a great hotel if you want to explore Palma de Mallorca and the rest of the island. It is close to the bustling city and only 20 minutes walk to the railwaystations and the busstation. It is clear that this is a city-hotel. It is not only frequented by tourists but also by businesspeople. Don't expect animation or lively pool activity. There is a pool on te ground floor but it doesn't get much sunshine and you can't sit next to it to sunbath. There is also a very small pool on the top floor with a couple of lounges. The breakfast buffet is good. The coffee is from machines but drinkable. Don't reserve halfboard. The food in the restaurant is not refined and you seem to be eating the same every night even though there's something else on the menu. There is only choice out of two first, second and dessert courses. You could go ? la carte, but would have to pay extra for this. Service was OK most of the time but once I thought Manuel from Barcelona was serving... He know nothing! The room was nice and modern. The cleaning was not always adequate (bath not properly cleaned, no new towel, bed linnen with little holes in). All in all I liked the hotel because of the location, but I wouldn't sstay here again.

I have just recently returned from this hotel (stayed there first week in May 08). First impressions were good, until the young male receptionist decided to give us a room with no balcony overlooking the entrance to the underground car park on the ground floor. Having already requested a room with a balcony, after seeing our room we complained. A female receptionist, after a lot of persuasion and complaining from us and having to show them our original booking a number of times, eventually gave us a room over looking the marina at the front of the hotel. This room was nice and big with a balcony. But it was a little grubby with dirty floors (covered in dust) and the shower fittings were coming away from the wall, not particularly worthy of its 4 stars - especially as the room rates are not cheap! There is not much storage space for your clothes/luggage despite the big room! However, the hotel is ideally located for everything in Palma, walking distance to the marina, restaurants, cathedral (great view of the cathedral from the bar/pool on the top floor of the hotel) and if you have a room at the front of the hotel - a great view of the castle on the hill too. The hotel does have parking, but it is charged at ?10 per night (still cheaper than other car parks). Breakfasts are good, but staff are very sour faced. Tea/coffee is not fresh but from self-service machines. There is a good choice of cheese, meats, cereals and fruit and delicious pastries. It also has internet access in the foyer/lobby - but be quick - there is only 1 PC and often a lengthy wait to get on. Don't be surprised if you return back to your room for a shower and there are no towels - this happened to us a few times and when we requested towels the staff are not particularly quick and bringing them up to your room either! This hotel is pleasant enough , but it really wouldn't hurt the staff to be more helpful and better mannered.