Zafiro Bahia

The service was outstanding—everyone was so kind, friendly, and efficient, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. A special mention to the animation team, who were fantastic! They brought so much energy and fun to every day and really made our holiday memorable. We would definitely recommend this resort

We had a very enjoyable stay at this family-oriented 4★ hotel and would happily return. One thing to keep in mind is that it is located on the opposite side of Mallorca from the airport, so the transfer can take well over an hour.

The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful. They even managed to arrange a late check-out for us during the peak season, which we really appreciated. Housekeeping does not clean the rooms every day, but towels are replaced regularly. The housekeeping staff were very observant—they quickly learned our daily routine and always chose the perfect time to clean our room without disturbing us.

We stayed in a suite, which was very spacious. The bathroom was unexpectedly large, although its layout was rather puzzling. There are two sinks in the living area, while the bathroom itself has none. It's certainly an unusual layout and took us a little while to get used to it. It was also quite unusual—and very convenient—to find such a well-equipped kitchenette in this type of accommodation. However, although washing-up liquid is provided, there is no sponge or dishcloth, so bring your own if you plan to use the kitchen. We had read this in other reviews beforehand, and it turned out to be very useful advice.

The bathroom has plenty of space, but the toilet is squeezed right next to the wall, leaving almost two metres of completely unused floor space in the middle, without even a shelf or towel rack. There is also no power outlet near the desk, with the only conveniently accessible socket being next to the sofa. On the other hand, the huge built-in wardrobe behind the entrance door is excellent.

The sofa can be converted into two separate beds, but I would only recommend this for shorter stays. The person sleeping on the lower section feels a bit like they're in a coffin. It's manageable for a few nights, but not particularly comfortable.

The air conditioning works well and is powerful enough even on very hot days. However, you cannot adjust the fan speed—it only supports simple on/off operation.

There are several places to eat throughout the resort. Breakfast, served buffet-style, was excellent. On two occasions, however, the milk seemed to have gone off, so it's worth checking before pouring it over your cereal. Lunch and dinner were also very good, either in the main buffet restaurant or at one of the à la carte restaurants.

The Mirablau restaurant, the one closest to the beach, was a bit inconsistent. Every time we visited there was some issue with our order—something missing, forgotten or delayed—but the staff always resolved it. There is even a "pizza" on the menu, although Italians might declare war over calling it that! Still, it was an honest attempt and tasted perfectly good.

One practical difference from other all-inclusive resorts we've visited was the drinking water policy. At every other resort we've stayed at, it was easy to get bottled water 24/7, and many hotels even restock the minibar daily. Here, you receive one complimentary bottle on arrival, and after that you're expected to get drinks in reusable cups from the bars or restaurants. If you ask at the bar, they will give you water to take away, but only in a 0.3-litre glass bottle. Unsurprisingly, we accumulated quite a collection of those by the end of our stay.

Dinner officially requires a minimum dress code, although it is enforced rather loosely. My wife was one of only a handful of women actually wearing a dress and high heels.

The swimming pools are clean, come in various sizes and depths, and are mostly designed with children in mind, although there is also an adults-only pool. We liked them very much. The water is partially desalinated, but you can still tell it comes from the sea.

The beach is only a short walk away, although the route to it isn't immediately obvious when you first arrive. You leave through the back of the hotel and follow a path over the dunes. As everywhere in Mallorca, the beaches are public. Renting one umbrella and two sunbeds costs €21 per day, payable in cash only. Municipal staff collect the fee at irregular intervals, so you may already be using a sunbed before anyone comes to collect the payment. I don't know what would happen if they arrived while you were swimming and no one was there to pay. The ticket is valid for the whole day, so in theory you should be able to leave and later occupy another available set of sunbeds using the same ticket, although we never tested this.

The beach is generally clean, although for the price charged I expected more frequent cleaning. Seaweed was very rare, and the sea remains shallow for dozens of metres from the shore, making it perfect for young children whenever the wind is calm.

The entertainment team is active throughout the day, organising games, sports and various pool activities, especially for children. Most activities require at least some understanding of either Spanish or English.

Finally, a note about evenings in Mallorca. Remember that you're in southern Europe, where life follows a different rhythm. Evening entertainment starts around 9 p.m., and it's perfectly normal to see families with toddlers still at the playground or children dancing at the evening show well after 11 p.m. If you're from northern Europe, this may come as a surprise—but that's simply how things work here. Relax, adapt, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Overall, the hotel has a few quirky design decisions and some operational oddities, but these are easily outweighed by the friendly staff, spacious rooms, excellent pools, good food and the relaxed family atmosphere. We would happily return.