First trip to Mallorca - what a wonderful island. Beautiful scenery, fantastic white-knuckle drives through the mountains, lovely small fishing villages, really friendly locals.

Chose the hotel because it's part of Starwood (points earner) and because it has golf on tap. That said, the golf was very expensive and I thought the Son Muntaner course (open only to guests of three hotels and members) was in pretty tired condition. Paid 122 Euros for 18 holes and cart and didn't think the overall fairways/greens quality merited it. Good layout, though, and some challenging and interesting holes.

The hotel is a nice design - good pool, separate childs' pool and play area, full spa facilities (although my wife said it wasn't particularly relaxing because of background noise - phones ringing, staff chattering etc). The main restaurant has a Michelin star and the quality showed. We ate in there twice (although my credit card has now melted) and the service and food were both excellent. Breakfast was also served here - with some outside tables. The selection was very good, eggs cooked to order, help yourself to plate loads of anything. That said, they do have the World's slowest toaster! I think it was a case of the bread turning brown just before it went green through age.

The cheaper restaurant offered everything from a cheese baguette by the pool up to a full evening meal. The service was OK but did give the impression of being a training ground for the Michelin version upstairs.

The hotel bar is actually part of the reception area. Short of atmosphere as a result but good service, big measures, loads of free nuts and what have you. Other options for dining rely on driving or getting a taxi. The hotel is some way from Palma and there is nothing else within walking distance.

We had a deluxe room. Didn't like the twin beds, or at least the join between them, nice balcony/view, spacious, maid service a bit late in the day, shower feeble, nice bowl of fruit topped up daily, overall a good room.

This is a good little bit of Spain to visit to brush up on your German. The Arabella roots (and much of Mallorca's ex-pat community) mean that the Germanic influence is everywhere. Coupled with the demise of the Peseta in favour of the Euro, this meant that I missed some of the particularly Spanish charm and culture that can be experienced elsewhere.

I'll go again. Nice location, nice quiet hotel, friendly staff, good service, good facilities. A really good pre-winter break for a week.