Hotel Palia Puerto Del Sol, Cala d'Or

Request or pay for a marina/harbour-view room in advance — it offers yacht views and quieter evenings, though the supplement may not feel worthwhile if you rarely use the balcony.

Avoid this property if stairs or steep walking are difficult, as the resort has many steps and limited lift access.

Choose an upper-floor room for better views, more privacy, quieter air-conditioning, and fewer insects, but expect more stairs.

Request a pool- or garden-facing room for a central location and pleasant outlook, but check whether it overlooks the noisy family pool.

Bring bottled water or refill a bottle at the free reception and pool-bar dispensers; bathroom water is salty and costs €2 per bottle.

Request a high-floor marina-view room for the best outlook.

Request a ground- or lower-floor apartment if stairs are difficult, because the complex has no lifts and requires extensive stair climbing.

Request a ground- or first-floor room if mobility or pushchairs are a concern.

Eat at local restaurants and bring extra spending money, as the hotel food may not suit everyone.

Bring cups or reusable plastic glasses for in-room drinks and outdoor use.

Take the free shuttle bus to Cala Gran; services run approximately every 10 minutes.

Use the adult pool beside the chill-out bar for a quieter setting and marina views, but do not rely on it being child-free.

Try both the green and yellow Ting Ting train lines; expect occasional delays and about €5 for an adult return ticket.

Use the main-pool-side gate to reach the Spar shop next door, and stock up before it closes at 21:00.

Check your block’s position before arrival, as the resort is hilly, with steep routes to the restaurant and harbour; lower blocks are nearer the pool and bar.

Avoid basement or lowest-level rooms, which may be dark, damp, or affected by sewage smells.

Expect spacious apartments with free air conditioning, though rooms may lack kettles and cups.

Choose an apartment near the complex centre or opposite the chill-out bar for a convenient position.

Book a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment for larger groups and extra space.

Request an apartment with a fridge if you need one, because not every room includes one.

Request a refurbished apartment, as older rooms may be offered unless you specifically ask.

Pack mosquito repellent, as mosquitoes can be particularly troublesome.

Take a taxi into Cala d’Or for about €5, with local taxis reportedly arriving quickly.

Reach beaches such as Esmerelda around 08:00 because they become very busy.

Arrive before 08:00 for the best chance of securing multiple beach sunbeds with parasols.

Expect cold, heavily chlorinated pools; inflatables are prohibited, but balls, pool noodles and bats are allowed.

Choose another property if travelling with very young children.

Consider booking room requests directly with the hotel, especially during high season.

Request a pool-view room for a better outlook.

Have breakfast before 09:00 to avoid the busiest period.

Request room 402 for a convenient location near the large pool.

At the hotel pool, sunbeds may remain available until late morning in June.

Request room 220 for a peaceful pool outlook.

Avoid room 118 if you want to be away from the restaurant.

Supervise children closely at the family pools, as lifeguard support may be limited.

Wait until later for lunch or dinner, as queues are busiest when service opens.

Walk around the marina, then go uphill by the barrier to reach the resort centre in about five minutes.

Expect a short queue in the dining room during rainy weather.

Expect all-inclusive wine to be unimpressive.

Request room 362 for its reported views.

Request room 27 for the quieter garden side, preferably on the top floor.

Avoid rooms 001–060.

Avoid room 206 for now.

Request room 205 or an adjacent room for direct access to the garden and swimming-pool area.

Request rooms 201–208 for ground-floor garden or pool access, a peaceful setting, and proximity to reception and dining.

Request room 175 or 176 for extra space, a top-floor position, and three separate balconies.

Request room 154 for a central position overlooking the pool.

Request room 108 for an ideally positioned apartment.

Ask for room 419 or a marina-facing alternative.

Check the condition of any top-floor room before unpacking, as leaks have been reported.

Avoid rooms on the complex’s outside edge if traffic noise bothers you.

Request a rear-garden room or rooftop apartment for a quieter setting and, in the rooftop option, extra space.

Avoid visiting the restaurant in July or August if you dislike very hot dining areas.

Head to the English bar on the harbour, two minutes away, when the all-inclusive service finishes.

Arrive at the pool early to secure a lounger.

Consider room 306 for an excellent marina view.

Consider apartment 332 for a harbour view.

Consider room 170 for a harbour view.

Request an apartment near the entrance to reduce the impact of noisy tiled paths and stairs.

Ask about the changing and shower facilities before departure so you can freshen up before travelling to the airport.

Choose reasonably priced Marina bars such as Bliss; Sky Bar next door is more expensive.

Budget for the safe, tourist tax and beach-towel hire.

Bring sunscreen from the UK, where it may cost less than €10 per bottle in Cala d’Or.

Consider room 114 for convenient access to the adult pool and chill-out bar.

Bring conditioner because the showers use salt water.

Bring a fan for the room.

Avoid paying extra for a sea-view room upgrade.

Arrive early at Santanyí market because it becomes extremely crowded by 10:30.

Book the Starfish boat trip for dolphin watching and swimming at sea.

Skip the all-inclusive package and budget for local restaurants instead.

Join the hotel activities if they appeal to you; they suit families, couples, adults and solo travellers.

Rent a car through the hotel; debit cards may be accepted.

Use bus route 515 to reach Campos.

Inspect the apartment before unpacking, especially if self-catering, because some rooms may lack cups, cutlery, kettles, or other advertised facilities.

Try the pizzas.

Rent beach towels at reception.