Ona Village Cala d'Or

You get an aparthotel rather than a conventional hotel room here: a place where a kitchenette, a proper table and a bit of outdoor space make the difference between simply sleeping and settling in. Ona Village Cala d'Or suits couples who want room to spread out, as well as families who would rather not organise every snack and coffee around restaurant timings.

The atmosphere is practical and easy-going. You can cool off in the outdoor pool, sit in the garden or on your terrace, and keep the evening uncomplicated when that is all your legs are asking for. The hotel's website is available in English, which helps you organise the stay before arrival even though no hotel staff language is recorded here.

You are in Cala d'Or, Spain, in the south-east of Mallorca. Calo des Pou Beach and Cala Egos Beach are both roughly 0.3 miles away on foot, so the coast is within a short walk rather than a drive. Cala Petita Beach is about 1.3 miles away, while Cala Gran Beach is around 1.5 miles away.

The immediate surroundings are useful when you have returned hungry and sandy. Restaurante Beatriz is about 0.1 miles away, Central Park Steakhouse around 0.2 miles, and The Bistro roughly 0.2 miles. Betty's Music Bar is about 0.2 miles from the property, with further bars within walking distance. Palma de Mallorca Airport is around 34 miles away by road, with a driving journey of about 46 minutes.

The key decision is whether you want a compact base for two or the breathing room of a larger apartment. The Studio Apartment is the straightforward choice for a couple who will spend most of the day outside. If you are travelling with family or another pair of divers, the One-Bedroom Apartment gives you a separate bedroom and living space; the Two-Bedroom Apartment is the option for a larger group that does not want to turn every night into a negotiation over beds and bags.

Every apartment has air conditioning, a private bathroom and a terrace or balcony with either garden or pool views. That outdoor space gives you somewhere to sit with a coffee before heading out, or to let the day cool down without having to leave the property. The marble or tiled floors are easy to live with when beach sand inevitably follows you indoors.

The kitchen facilities are genuinely useful for self-catering rather than merely decorative: you have a refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, toaster, coffee machine and kitchenware, along with a dining table. There is also a sofa, a seating area, a desk and a washing machine. WiFi is free throughout, and a television, radio and satellite channels cover the quieter part of the evening.

The outdoor swimming pool is the obvious place to go when you want water without putting a mask on your face. You can follow it with time in the garden or on the terrace, where the pace is slower and the only serious decision is whether the coffee needs topping up. Beach time is close at hand too, with Calo des Pou and Cala Egos both within roughly 0.3 miles.

For a day away from the pool and the beach, the aparthotel offers boating, scuba diving and surfing opportunities. Those activities give you options when the sea is calling but a full dive day is not on the agenda. The apartment layout also lets you split the day sensibly: one person can rest, another can head out, and nobody has to turn the whole room into a communal waiting area.

Check-in starts from 16:00 and check-out is by 10:00. You need to show photo identification and a credit card on arrival, and you should tell the property your expected arrival time in advance. Cash is accepted as a payment method.

A paid airport transfer is available from Palma de Mallorca Airport, either as a private service or shared shuttle depending on the arrangement made with the property. Free public parking is available on site without reservation, which is useful if you are hiring a car for the coves and beaches around Cala d'Or.

Children of any age are welcome, and cots for children aged between 0 and 2 can be requested. The apartments are non-smoking, and parties or events are not permitted. Special requests depend on availability and may involve an additional charge.