We stayed for 5 nights, arriving Christmas day, and stayed in Rm 122 (2nd floor) in the new block.
First, be aware this hotel is outside Palma ( as I am not sure I realised as my husband di all the arrangemenst) - although several buses run to Palma from outside the hotel- 20-25 mins to the old centre, 1.25E one way, and these were easy to use ( they are happy to take coins) and better than using/parking our hire car. There is also a taxi rank outside the hotel- 13E to the airport and about 8E to the town centre.
The hotel main buildlng has a large stunning terrace, pool and outdoor sitting area. with direct views of and access to the sea.
Our room in the new front side block ( across the road via the hotel underpass) was disappointing. We were upgraded, so had a room with a balcony and plunge pool ( not able to use in Dec). We has a view of the main hotel and the sea beyond that- and the road. There are lower level rooms and rooms at the back which must have a very poor view. The room itself was badly designed; I'm not a big fan of open plan bathrooms and this one was ridiculous. The bath is on a raised pedestal with steps- for what purpose I am not sure, though I suppose you can sit up in it and look across the room , across the balcony to the distant sea. I tried it once but felt so unsafe( it moved slightly on its fixings), slippery to get in/out, uncomfortable due to its shape and plug ( the plug manages to be in just the wrong spot), and with nowhere to put your soap, shampoo etc. All the walls of the cupboards, wardrobe. loo and shower are of etched glass with magnetic fastenings- these were so strong that everytime you opened/shut them it caused a noise like a starter pistol going off- so noise/light privacy is non-existant. Why they are ecological I do not know- and the stone wall was just so contrived.
However the bed was big and comfortable, and the facilities like safe, toiletries, mini-bar, hair dryer all in place. It was nice to have a sofa and when we asked for a DVD player it was soon brought over. Problems with the lights and drinking water were promptly fixed ; the turn back service was a bit early in the evening ( and never involved the removal of the coverlet as this was taken off the the first time the bed was made and never returned) but friendly.
We didn't ask to be moved room as we were told the hotel was full when we checked in. When we checked out and mentioned our disappointment/concerns re our room and queried what the rooms in the main building were like, we were shown one. Even though it was without a balcony we would have prefered it. The check out receptionist on duty said he would note our comments and email address and pass them on for a response
All staff were friendly and professional.
We had a look at the spa but weren't drawn to use it- it looked OK,but nothing special, and the steam room was not working. I thought the treatments prices were very expensive, even for a 5star hotel.
We ate in the restaurant and the food was fantastic and reasonable priced for food of that quality. The restaurant manager was brilliant- offering alternatives/tweaks to the table d'hote menu choices, and promising to open another bottle of our choice if we did not like his. Wine prices were not the high prices of some 5star hotels.
We didn't eat breakfast as the hotel as it was not included in our room rate and at 28E for the buffet breakfast seemed too high- though it did look impressive. We did have a snack lunch and this did not match the quality of the evening meals.
For 2 of the other days we had lunch in Palma at Marc Fosch's 2 restaurants- Fosch Food and Simply Fosch - and they were both superb.
We were very impressed with Palma in December and the island. We loved the hill villages of Valldemossa and Deia but were disappointed to find the small train service to Soller was shut for several weeks for repairs.
We would definately visit Majorca again, Palma again- and quite possibly the Maricel. We visited the 5 Star Hotel Nexe Palace up the road fro a lunchtime drink and were initially very impressed with it's terrace, all the rooms seeming to have balconies, and it access to a beach, but when we called in one evening the residents ( lots of old men with much younger,high maintenance women) and the bling evident in a very formal ( room design and food) restaurant put us off and put the Maricel in context.
The Maricel is a stylish place, but subtle and without excess, and consequently attracts a like minded clientele!