Barceló Ponent Beach, Cala Ferrera

Reserve a pool or beach sunbed very early, ideally by 7:45am, because prime spots can disappear before 10am.

Request a sea-view room, preferably on a higher floor, for the best outlook; the other side overlooks the family pool, night bar and some sea.

Arrive before 9am in summer to secure the best loungers; sea-view spots fill first, while the family pool usually has availability.

Choose the family pool for more afternoon sun; it is larger, livelier and warmer than the beach-side or adults-only pools.

Dine early to avoid queues and difficulty finding a table, especially at dinner.

Compare the all-inclusive-plus price carefully; it adds towels, robes and daily à la carte access but may not justify the upgrade.

Pre-book an airport taxi or private transfer; a taxi costs about €80 each way, while unplanned journeys may take two hours.

Choose all-inclusive if you drink alcohol or want meals covered, but compare the cost because food quality opinions vary.

Expect the beach-side pool and main terrace to become shaded from midday or mid-afternoon.

Request a lower floor if you have mobility issues or a pram, as the lifts can be unreliable and stairs are used.

Book a high-floor sea-view room for the best outlook, preferably on floors 4–6.

Bring a bottle opener.

Book All Inclusive Plus for flexibility and good value on drinks and snacks.

Allow extra time for check-in and avoid relying on lifts around meal times, when queues are longest.

Avoid paying extra for a sea-view room unless the price is low; balconies may lose sun after 2pm.

Prepare for weak air conditioning during warm weather.

Choose loungers nearest the beach or sea on the ground-floor pool for longer sunshine.

Try free roadside parking at the top of or down the road from the hotel, then walk about five minutes.

Join the organised games and activities, which include plenty of fun options.

From the airport transfer drop-off, turn right and follow the path beside the barrier to reception; do not go down the brae.

Request a side-sea-view room if you want coastal views without booking the full sea-view category.

Avoid the buffet restaurant at peak times because it becomes chaotic.

Expect small rooms and bring your own hairdryer if needed.

Reserve hotel parking with a hire car because spaces are limited and hotel rates vary from €10 to €18 daily.

Visit the pool or beach early morning for quieter conditions, or go to Cala in the late afternoon for fewer crowds.

Try the lemon juice and ask about gluten-free options.

Bring your own beach towel because replacements cost €10, even though the deposit is refundable.

Check the exact room category at booking; some sea-view bookings may be assigned side-sea-view rooms.

Eat in Cala d’Or town rather than around the marina, or try Playa Marina’s patatas bravas and inexpensive cocktails.

Book directly if choosing All Inclusive Plus.

Have breakfast before 9am, when the restaurant becomes busy.

Use the beach loungers if the pool area is too crowded.

Request a bedroom bin.

Request a low-floor room.

Try the pedal boats on the beach.

Book a private airport transfer to avoid the roughly two-hour coach journey.

Keep your room until departure day if available so you can make the most of your final day.

Bring several swimsuits because the sea and pools are inviting.

Bring insect repellent, fly spray and familiar snacks such as pot noodles.

Operate the room safe by pressing #, entering your code, then pressing # again.

Use the downstairs gym and visit the upstairs wellness centre for sunbeds and a cold-dip pool.

Swim in the sea early in the morning when the water and beach are especially peaceful.

Take the island tour by bus, train, tram and boat for extensive sightseeing with little walking.

Hire paddle boards from the beach for an active afternoon.

Allow about 15 minutes to walk into the centre and another five minutes to reach the marina.

Use the electric train around Cala d’Or for €3.50 per adult; children travel free, and the stop is near Spar.

Arrange a taxi in advance whenever you need to travel beyond the hotel.

Rent two beach sunbeds, a parasol and a safe for €17 if the pool area is shaded or full.

Book tiki umbrellas as soon as you arrive because reservations can cover several days.

Try Papaya Polynesian Cocktail Bar to the right of the hotel, or look for the nearby bar with a long happy hour.

Choose quieter dining times for a more relaxed meal.

Book the Magical restaurant in advance and expect long buffet queues at busy times.

Ask for adjoining rooms early if your party needs rooms next to each other.

Request room 115 if it is available.

Check whether the bathroom’s clear glass door suits you before settling into the room.

Ask for a room near reception for convenient access.

Avoid rooms ending in 90 or higher because they face another hotel and may hear loud evening entertainment.

Avoid fish if you want to reduce the risk of spending the day ill.

Join the Cala d’Or Facebook page for local hints and tips.

Book the Drach Caves in advance, especially for visits around 1pm in October.

Avoid rooms overlooking the entertainment area.