We stayed at the Mac Garonda Hotel in September-October 2009 for two weeks.

Had never stayed at the Mac Garonda before, as we usually stay at a another 4-star hotel almost across the street. However, this time, we decided to try the Garonda, as the room rates were a better deal, especially after Oct. 1st, and we were curious about the Garonda, as we had friends who always stayed there and enjoyed it. This is a family-friendly resort area, and the beach is just across a mostly-pedestrian road, with very little, if no traffic to speak of.

This is one of the original hotels on the Playa (Beach) de Palma, built in 1964, but has been remodelled, and has had many changes of ownership since. This beachfront hotel (the water's edge is about 60 meters away) Has an enviable location right in the middle of the 6-kilometer long beach. Guests are overwhelmingly German, but there were a few British, Irish, Spanish, Dutch and Scandinavian. At this time of the year, it was mostly middle-aged couples and groups of singles, but there were also a few families with children.

It is not a sprawling resort, and neither are any of the other hotels along this beach, but is large enough not to feel cramped. Room was spacious, with a very large terrace the size of the room, but you will get this only if you're on the 5th floor, where there are only 8 rooms available. Guests on other floors will get a much smaller balcony. There are only twin beds, but they can be joined or separated as needed.

Room has a small refrigerator - used to be a minibar - with 2 water bottles, 2 cans of San Miguel Beer and 2 cans of Pepsi. If you want refills, go get them yourself, and the nearest source is the SPAR Supermarket "Super Biarritz" which is next door, where the McD's is. Although the tap water is certainly potable, you can get a 5-litre bottle of Mallorcan Mineral water for € 1,80.

TV in room, is a small analog, only channel in English is CNN International, with other, channels in French, Italian, Portuguese and Russian, along with all the local Spanish and several German TV channels. Downstairs in the bar, there is a large LCD TV.

When making phone calls from your room, keep in mind it costs just over €0,60 per minute for local calls, international calls will be even more expensive, but it's free to receive calls, so have your family and friends call you instead. There is a room safe available for € 28 per week, leave a € 6 deposit for the key. Large Beach Towels are available for a € 20 deposit.

Bathroom was also very spacious, with marble walls, well-stocked basket of complimentary amenities, i.e. shampoo, bath gel, shower cap, shoe polish, etc. As in some other hotels in Spain, there are no shower doors or curtains, but a plexiglass partition is used, and works well to keep water from splashing outside the bathtub. If you're a person with a big (beer) belly, you might find it a little tight to get between the handle and the plexiglass screen, as there is only about 40 cms.

We found quite a bit of dust inside the clothes closets and on the TV, but the maid on duty came up right away and cleaned it.

Free WiFi is available on the ground and first floors, you need to ask reception for a User Name and Password, good for eiither 1 or 2 hours, free for the asking. Bring along your laptop and you will be able to make internet calls for free. If you didn't bring it, there are two PC's, €1.00 for 10 minutes, are available in the lobby.

Evenings, there is a duo who plays live music in the bar, but it is low-keyed. Most guests will want to go out for a stroll and if into it, hang out at "Bierstrasse" (Beer Street) or "Schinkenstrasse" (Ham Street). You don't have to be fluent in German to enjoy the local clubs, but it will certainly help. Palma City is only about 9 kms. away, and I would highly recommend that you rent a car for at least a day, to explore the rest of the island.

There is a large outdoors, mostly covered, terrace with ample seaviews, along with a swimming pool, which was barely used. Water was quite cold, but was told it should be heated. Didn't see a workout room. A nice touch is a Foot Shower, at the bottom of the staircase leading down to the "Tamarindo" Restaurant, to wash off the sand off your feet, upon returning from the beach.

Breakfast is open-seating, but for dinner, there is the 7:00 PM or the 8:30 PM seatings, and you are assigned to a table, although the Maitre d' will gladly make changes for you. For breakfast, you are offered: Orange Juice (very sugary, but I combined it with any of the fresh melon, watermelon and pineapple juices available), toast, breads, jams, fresh fruit, sliced hams, cheeses, croissants, pastries, eggs prepared to order, scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs (thought the 5-minute hard boiled eggs were overdone, but was told that this is a Health Department requirement), grilled and raw tomatos, pancakes, muffins, cereals, bacon, yogurts, champagne (Spanish Cava).

We had Half-Board and the 7:00 PM seating, and didn't miss lunch. We just had a fruit or some yogurt instead. The dining room is closed for lunch, but for those guests on full board, the "Tamarindo" Restaurant (open to the public on the ground floor) is available.

Dinner is another abundant buffet which also offers fresh grilled fish and meats every night, and a local mallorcan specialty, i.e. Cocarrois, Trampo, Tumbet, Sopas, Sobresada, Chicken Escalduns, etc. I thought it was amusing how they translated some dishes. Soups were excellent, and "Gazpacho" (cold andalusian vegetable soup) was also offered almost nightly. If you so wish, you can arrange to have dinner at "L'Arcada" which is a pizzeria around the corner belonging to the same hotel management group. Drinks during dinner are not included, a 0,5 L bottle of water is € 2,10, San Miguel Beer, €2,30 and a bottle of good local wine for € 12 - 17. Desserts include Creme Caramel, Rice Pudding, Fresh Fruit, 3 different flavors of ice cream. Gentlemen: Don't forget to wear long pants for dinner, else you will be asked to change. No shorts allowed for dinner.

If you see a gentleman wearing a suit & tie, that is the Hotel Manager, and he is always there at the entrance to the Dining Room for Dinner. He is very approachable and affable, so if you may have any comments or suggestions or concerns, please let him know.

The hotel does not offer any parking facilities whatsoever, but you can easily find parking on the next street over, Calle de la Mar Egea. There is a bus stop just outside the hotel, and with frequent and inexpensive bus service to Palma. A good idea because Palma traffic is horribly congested, seems like the City authorities have declared war on cars.

If you're looking for a good, family-friendly, well-located hotel on the Playa de Palma with excellent cuisine and good service, this is the place. We'll be staying here again.