Originally Posted by
craigthemif
I understand the Zoetry to be the best. But it's inland from the beach and cannot be reached on public transport. I'll eventually get there to tick off the Brand Explorer badge, but the rates can get high + the cost of taxis or car rentals...
I've stayed at the Secrets, Dreams and Alua Leo.
The Dreams is terrible. Package holiday nightmare. Zero elite recognition.
The Secrets is pretty decent - conversion of a villa owned by a Marquis or something and right on the beach (public). But the surrounding area is more German than Spanish...
I'm quite fond of the Alua Leo. I did 40+ nights of my own status chase there earlier this year. It's incredibly convenient for the airport and the city of Palma. There are people on meals-included packages - and the buffet is better than average IMO - but there are no alcohol-included all-inclusive guests so it basically feels like a normal hotel. It's also open year round - I think only the Alua Soul is also open year round - which means you can get ridiculously cheap rates in November - March.
If you can wait until off-season, the Alua Leo or the nearby Alua Soul will be exactly what you need. If you actually want a summer holiday at a WoH hotel, perhaps try one of the more secluded Alua hotels...
Thank you so much for your informative response and for the warning re Dreams - appreciate it and will steer clear from this one!
Just to clarify (and I should've been more explicit in my original post!) I am actually looking for a summer holiday on the island (late August or so for ~10 days). In previous trips I've stayed at Marriott hotels (Son Vida and Hacienda Son Antem) but I'm trying to force myself off Marriott as I've been Bonvoyed a few times, not to mention the rates for this summer are grossly overpriced for what is an OK experience. Thought I might give Hyatt a chance as I have a status challenge I could try to complete if swayed.
I'll have a rental car, so no issues with remoteness - IMO the more remote the better to try to tap into a Spanish experience rather than German/British. The Alua Leo looks cozy but quite city-based and maybe less of an actual summer-holiday experience unless I'm way off?
In addition to Zoetry (which looks quite good), based on what you've stated there are a few hotels on the east coast which could fit the bill, though again I worry about the 'package holiday' aspect of them:
- Alua Calas de Mallorca
- AluaSun Cala Antena
- AluaSoul Mallorca
- Alua Las Rocas
Any thoughts on the above would be greatly appreciated - or any other hotels fitting the bill for that matter.
Thanks again!!!