Apartamentos Azul Playa

If you prefer a place where the day can run to your own timetable, Apartamentos Azul Playa is an aparthotel rather than a conventional full-service hotel. You get a studio or apartment with a kitchenette, a small fridge, a microwave, coffee machine and kitchenware, plus a balcony or terrace for the important business of sitting down properly after a day outside.

The setting suits couples, small families and divers who do not need an organised programme between breakfast and bedtime. The website is available in English, Spanish and German, so the property is geared towards an international clientele, including English-speaking guests. There is an outdoor pool with a shallow area for younger children, an indoor pool and a spa with sauna and massages when your legs have had enough of Mallorca for one afternoon.

You are in Cala d'Or, in the Cala Ferrera part of the resort, at Av. Cala d'Or 21. The sea is around 50 metres away, while Cala Ferrera Beach is about 150 metres from the property. Cala de Esmeralda Beach is roughly 450 metres away, and Cala Serena Beach is around 0.7 miles on foot. In other words, beach choices are available without turning the afternoon into an expedition.

For a change of scene, Cala d'Or town centre is a five-minute drive away, with shops, restaurants and bars. Restaurante Paparazzi is about 500 feet away on foot, while Tapas y Mas is around 1,000 feet away. Mondrago Nature Reserve lies about 4.2 miles away, and Vall D'Or Golf Club is a ten-minute drive from the apartments. The location is resort-based, but you can still reach a protected natural area without crossing half the island.

The room choice is less about decoration than about how much space you want around your holiday. A studio works neatly for a couple who plans to spend time outdoors and wants somewhere practical to sleep, shower and keep breakfast supplies. If waking up to a sea view matters, the Studio with Beach View gives you that particular small luxury without requiring a larger apartment. The Premium Studio accommodates three people, while the two-bedroom apartment is the sensible choice when you want separate sleeping areas and room for a family group.

Every accommodation has simple décor and tiled floors, with air conditioning for hot nights, free WiFi, a sofa and a dining table. The bathroom is private and includes a shower and hairdryer. A wardrobe, clothes rack and drying rack keep the practical end of the holiday under control, while the balcony or terrace gives you somewhere to sit with a coffee rather than balancing it on the edge of the sink.

The kitchenette is the useful part after an early start or a late return: small fridge, microwave, coffee machine and kitchenware. You can keep water cold, assemble something quick and avoid treating every meal as a scheduled event. Family rooms are available, children of any age are welcome, and a cot can be requested for a baby. There are no extra beds, so choose the accommodation carefully if everyone is expected to sleep in the same booking rather than merely fit inside the same photograph.

Breakfast is served in continental and buffet form, giving you a straightforward start before heading out. The self-catering setup then takes over: the kitchenette lets you keep supplies in the fridge, make coffee and put together a simple meal when restaurant timing is not quite aligned with your own.

There is one bar, the Snack bar, for something easy beside the pool or between outings. The surrounding area does the heavier restaurant work, with Restaurante Paparazzi about 500 feet away, Tapas y Mas around 1,000 feet away and Restaurante Mestral roughly 1,150 feet away on foot. Cala d'Or town centre adds more choice a short drive away, including bars for anyone who still has the energy for a nightcap.

The outdoor pool is the obvious place to put the afternoon on hold, with a shallow area designed for younger children. There is also an indoor pool when the weather is less cooperative or you simply prefer not to negotiate with the sun. A sun terrace and garden provide the setting; the difficult decision is whether the next move is the pool or the sofa.

The spa adds a quieter option, with a relaxation area, spa facilities and a sauna. Massages are available, which is useful when your shoulders have started filing formal complaints. The spa area operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., so this is an afternoon recovery plan rather than a late-night escape.

For a little more movement, bicycles can be hired and car hire can be arranged on site. The tour desk and concierge service can help shape a day away from the pool, while Cala d'Or's beaches give you several uncomplicated alternatives when the only activity required is walking into the water and back out again.

Palma de Mallorca Airport is about 34 miles away by road, with the journey taking around 50 minutes by car. Shuttle service is available and can be arranged with the property; car hire is also available on site. Bicycle hire and shuttle service carry an additional charge, while luggage storage is available if your travel times do not line up neatly with the room.

Check-in runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and you need to let the property know your arrival time in advance. Check-out is from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., which is useful for an early airport departure. The minimum age for check-in is 18, and children of all ages are welcome. A cot can be requested for a baby, but extra beds are not available.

Reception operates around the clock from 1 May to 30 September. Outside those dates, it operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. WiFi is free throughout the property, laundry service is available, and a safety deposit box can be used. Card payment is required, as cash is not accepted.