Hotel Serrano Palace

Hotel Serrano Palace is a five-star hotel and resort for divers who want the sea close, but also want somewhere properly equipped for the hours between dives. You get a direct beach setting, two infinity pools, a spa, a gym, a restaurant and a bar, so the day does not have to revolve around finding the next place to sit down.

The hotel team speaks English, Spanish, Italian, German and French. That matters when you are arranging a transfer, asking about dinner, or trying to explain that the room key has gone for a swim in your pocket. The overall setup suits couples, solo travellers and families, with room categories ranging from single rooms to suites and accommodation for up to four people.

You are in Capdepera, on the Son Moll seafront at Cala Ratjada, with direct access to a white-sand beach. Sun loungers and parasols are set up by the beach, while the hotel’s rooftop pool looks out towards the sea. This is a coastal base rather than a remote hideaway.

The centre of Capdepera is 2 km away. Son Moll beach, Playa Na Ferradura and the port of Cala Ratjada are among the nearby places to explore, giving you a choice between a short walk, a swim and a wander around the harbour. The hotel also has a garden and terrace when you want to stay put.

The room selection is extensive, with single, double, triple and quadruple options, alongside junior suites, suites, apartments and more spacious named categories. For two people, a double room with a balcony gives you outdoor space and, in the better-equipped versions, air conditioning, heating, a minibar, tea and coffee facilities, Wi-Fi, a safe and blackout blinds. Sea-view versions are available when the view matters more than keeping the choice simple.

Travelling alone does not mean being pushed into a couple’s layout: single rooms and single versions of several categories are available. Groups of three or four can look towards the triple and quadruple rooms or junior suites, while the larger suite categories make more sense when you want the room to remain a place to sit and recover rather than merely somewhere to drop a bag.

Private bathrooms are standard across the room categories listed. Selected rooms and junior suites add toiletries, while some suites include towels, a telephone, a safe and a view. The practical comforts vary by category, so check the individual room card for the exact combination of air conditioning, balcony, minibar, Wi-Fi and blackout blinds before booking. There is also room service for the nights when the only realistic plan is food arriving at the door.

The main restaurant covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with Mediterranean and international cooking served as a buffet. Show cooking adds a bit of movement to the meal rather than leaving you to inspect a row of covered dishes in silence. Breakfast is a buffet, and it can also be taken in your room.

A pool bar and a lobby bar cover drinks and snacks, with views towards Son Moll beach. That gives you somewhere to land with a cold drink without turning the whole evening into a formal occasion. There is also a café and a snack bar for smaller appetites.

The available board arrangements include breakfast and half board. The exact meals included depend on the booking arrangement, so check that detail before choosing the plan; a diver’s appetite is not famous for respecting fine print.

Two outdoor infinity pools give you a choice between the main pool terrace and the rooftop pool, where the sea view does much of the decorating. The terrace has parasols and loungers, while the direct beach access makes a sea swim an easy alternative to another length of pool. A children’s pool is also available.

For proper decompression, Odissey Spa has a heated pool, jacuzzi, sauna, sensory showers, massages and facial treatments. The spa covers 60 square metres, which is enough for a focused recovery session rather than a sprawling wellness complex. A solarium, steam room and beauty treatments are also available.

The hotel has a gym and fitness equipment, plus table tennis and billiards for something less earnest. A library, garden, terrace, barbecue area and bicycle hire add a few options for a non-diving day. Excursion assistance, car hire and a concierge service are available when you want to leave the hotel and let somebody else deal with the logistics.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 18:00, with check-out at 12:00. Reception is open around the clock, and the hotel has a lift. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, which is useful for checking weather, arranging tomorrow’s plans or sending the obligatory photograph of a sunset that everyone has already seen.

Airport transfers are available, and car hire can be arranged. Parking, a garage and nearby parking are available, with parking subject to a charge. A vehicle charging station is also on site. The hotel provides luggage storage, concierge assistance, a safe at reception, laundry, ironing and dry-cleaning services.

Accessibility facilities and wheelchair access are available. Pets are welcome, and the hotel has an on-site infirmary. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and cash are accepted. Two meeting rooms are available for guests combining a stay with business.