Bonanza Park Hotel by Olivia Hotels Collection

You get a proper hotel setting here rather than a small dive lodge: gardens, terraces, pools and several places to eat or sit down. The atmosphere suits divers who want a comfortable base for the day, then a little choice once the wetsuit is hung up and the salt has been washed off.

English is spoken by the hotel team, alongside French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian. That matters when you are arranging transfers, asking about dinner or trying to explain that the room key has disappeared into the same pocket as your dive computer.

Families are catered for too, with a kids’ club for children aged 4 to 12, children’s activities, babysitting and a children’s pool. The result is a hotel that can work for a diving couple, a mixed group or a family holiday where not everyone is planning to spend the week underwater.

The hotel is in Calvia, Mallorca, in a quiet residential area near the coast. Illetas Beach is about 800 metres away on foot, so the sea is within walking distance rather than directly under your balcony. The address sits in a coastal setting, surrounded by gardens and close to the small coves and natural spots of the area.

Calvia town centre is about 7 km away, while Palma’s Bendinat golf club is roughly 1 km from the hotel. That gives you a useful split: the hotel stays away from the thickest urban bustle, but golf, beach time and a larger town are all within reach.

Palma airport is about 19 km away. For an airport arrival by public transport, take bus line 1 to Plaza España, then line 4 to Illetas; the bus stop is outside the hotel.

For two divers travelling together, the practical choice is the room arrangement that gives you the sleeping set-up you prefer: a double bed or twin beds. Several categories add a balcony, and some offer a glimpse of the sea, which is the sort of detail that earns its keep when you are sitting down with a drink and checking tomorrow’s weather.

The junior suites are the step up when you want a little more breathing room in the evening, while the terrace rooms put outdoor space into the equation. The hotel also has terrace bungalow options, giving you another way to choose according to how much you value a private place to sit rather than simply a bed and a bathroom.

Air conditioning is available in the balcony rooms, with blackout blinds, soundproofing, a minibar, Wi-Fi, television and a safe in the better-equipped categories. A private bathroom, shower, towels and hairdryer cover the unglamorous but essential part of returning from the sea. The room facilities vary by category, so check the individual room card carefully before booking; the balcony and sea glimpse are not universal.

Breakfast is included and served as a buffet, with hot and cold starters, dishes prepared on the spot, a vegetarian corner, desserts and cheeses. Dinner follows the same buffet approach, with themed buffets three nights a week. It is a useful arrangement when you want to eat at the hotel without turning the evening into a formal expedition for food.

Ses Forquettes is the main restaurant, serving breakfast and dinner on a terrace. Its cooking is Mediterranean, and dinner calls for formal attire for gentlemen: long trousers and a short-sleeved top. Keep that in mind before packing only the clothes that can survive a boat deck.

For something less structured, the Pool Bar serves salads, sandwiches, house pizza and grilled fish or meat on its terrace beside the gardens. Bar Galeón also sits on a terrace and brings live music into the evening. There is a bar, a restaurant and a snack bar on site, giving you options between a full buffet and a quicker plate by the pool.

Two fresh-water pools, a children’s pool and a pool area with umbrellas and hammocks give you a straightforward place to decompress. The gardens provide the setting; the hammocks provide the official excuse not to move for a while. A sun terrace is also available when you want to dry out properly without going back to the beach.

If sitting still becomes too ambitious, there is a gym, a tennis court and mini-golf. The Bendinat golf club is about 1 km away, and the hotel can help arrange excursions. Bicycle hire is also available, offering an alternative to spending every non-diving hour beside the pool.

Evenings can include live music or shows on various days of the week. Families have a kids’ club for children aged 4 to 12, children’s activities, babysitting and a children’s pool, so a diving day does not have to dictate the schedule for everyone else.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The building has a 24-hour reception, lifts and facilities adapted for guests with reduced mobility, including an accessible restaurant. Laundry, ironing, dry cleaning, luggage storage, concierge assistance and currency exchange are also available, which is handy when a dive trip starts producing damp clothing faster than clean clothing.

Airport transfers can be arranged through the hotel, and car hire is available. Parking is provided, with paid parking on site. Electric-vehicle charging is also available. If you prefer public transport, the airport route runs via Plaza España and Illetas, with the bus stop outside the hotel.

The hotel accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Maestro. Meal arrangements depend on the booking selected, although the standard package described here includes breakfast. Check the exact room and meal details before confirming, particularly if dinner is part of your plan.