Atolon

This was our third visit to the Atolon, and after staying in May 2026, we chose to return for my birthday in September. We’ve stayed in several different room types over the years, and one thing that remains consistent is the limited storage space. My partner and I always pack lightly, but it’s worth noting for anyone staying longer than a few days.

When we first stayed at the Atolon, we were joined by my partner’s family. My mother‑in‑law stayed in a sea‑view apartment with breathtaking views, but my partner’s uncle and aunt stayed in a partial sea‑view room where they couldn’t see the sea at all. Another uncle and his wife stayed in a side sea‑view room and also had no view of the sea. We stayed longer and opted for a standard room and actually had a better view than both of those “sea‑view” rooms. Because of this, and because we don’t spend much time in the room, we now always choose the cheaper option rather than paying extra for views that aren’t guaranteed.

The hotel’s location continues to be its strongest feature — perfectly positioned between Cala Millor and Cala Bona, making it easy to enjoy both areas. We spend very little time in the room because everything we want is right on the doorstep.

Housekeeping has always been excellent. Rooms are cleaned daily, beds are comfortable, and bedding is changed on request. In May, the air conditioning was outstanding — so good that my partner needed a quilt at night. Unfortunately, our September stay was a very different experience. On four nights, around 3am, the AC began blowing warm air into the room, waking us both up in pools of sweat. At first, I assumed it was due to the heatwave, but even after restarting the unit, it struggled. One night, the AC failed completely and the room became unbearably hot. Reception informed me they were having issues with the exterior unit and provided a fan, which helped slightly. It’s clear the system needs upgrading, especially for the hotter summer months, as we often found ourselves cooling off in neighbouring hotels during the day.

Food has always been hit‑and‑miss. While some dishes are lovely, the combinations often don’t make sense, and the menu lacks a clear concept. A bigger concern is the incorrect food labelling, which we’ve noticed across all three stays. On one occasion, I even helped the chef move the signs to the correct dishes because guests were asking for chicken while he was cooking fish. This really needs reviewing for both clarity and safety.

There is a bar next door with a DJ, but it’s not really our scene. Drinks at the hotel bar are quite expensive compared to nearby bars, and the atmosphere is usually quite flat, so we tend to go out instead.

The pool is adequate for the size of the hotel, but there is visible algae on the sides. A staff member does clean it daily, but it seems to be an ongoing battle, and the sides never appear fully clear.

One final point — while I never expect special treatment or any kind of celebration, every other hotel I’ve stayed at for my birthday has acknowledged it with a small gesture such as a card or a little gift. It’s always been a lovely personal touch that makes the stay feel special. This time, however, there was no acknowledgement at all, which was disappointing, especially considering this was our second visit within the same year and a return trip specifically for my birthday.

Despite these issues, we would return — mainly because of the fantastic location and the friendships we’ve built in the area over our visits. However, we would strongly encourage the hotel to address the following:

Review and upgrade the AC system, which worked perfectly in May but is clearly insufficient during hotter months.

Improve menu planning so dishes complement each other, and ensure at least a few items per night follow a clear theme.

Correct food labelling to avoid confusion and ensure guests know what they’re eating.

The Atolon has a lot of potential, and with a few improvements, it could easily match the standards of neighbouring hotels.

Great holiday, very good hotel, would recommend.

Location: Cala Bona on the beach front, easy walk to Cala Mellor, lots of restaurants, bars and shops close by. Atmosphere: Laid back, no loud music, very relaxing. Kaafu Beach club next door has a DJ at night but the vibe is chilled out and relaxed. Rooms: Very clean, good walk in shower, dove toiletries, safe, kettle etc but no tea/coffee etc so take your own or buy locally. Air con is in the room but it wasn't effective enough for the heat and could not be adjusted to go any colder, reception did check this out for us and to counter the heat placed a fan in the room for the duration of the holiday. The hotel is in two blocks, one in the main reception area and three more floors across the road, we were in the block over the room on floor 5 with a side sea view and it was a really lovely view. Value: Great value for money. Cleanliness: Excellent both in the public areas, restaurant and rooms, the staff work extremely hard, towels and bed linen changed as expected. Service: Excellent service by all staff, chefs, waiting staff, reception, domestic and lifeguard. Amenities: 1 large pool and one smaller pool, direct access to the sea (it is rocky though so take appropriate sea shoes), paddle boards can be hired from reception 10 euros for one hour. Food: Excellent, both breakfast and dinner I could not fault and I am a fussy eater. Eggs, pancakes, omelettes cooked to order in the morning as well as every breakfast item you can think of is on the hot plate, fresh fruit and yogurts also available. Fish or meat and a vegetarian dish cooked to order at night although if you don't want to wait food is also available on the hot plate. If I had one criticism of this hotel it would be that service for drinks at night in Kaafu Beach Club can be very slow but this depends on the number of people coming in (it is open to the public) and not enough staff. Overall a wonderful holiday, thank you to all the staff and we can't wait to return.