I have an ingrained fear of staying within a mile of anywhere frequented by package tourists, and so my choice of this hotel was a boundary pushing exercise for me. I am not the type of traveller who wishes to join organised pool games or community birdie song singing, so I tend to steer well clear of anything resort like or packaged. However, a four night stay at the Iberostar was the ticket for a cheap as chips last minute escape from the UK to Majorca during the Easter/Royal Wedding double bank holiday whammy recently.

We had booked the Royal Cupido, but like an earlier reviewer, we were 'promoted' (demoted?) to this hotel. It is just across the street, approx 30 seconds walk away. I wonder if we were not German enough to stay at the Cupido, or perhaps my Sombrero and whicker donkey were too small. Anyhow, I jest. The Iberostar Royal Playa de Palma was great, and we had a very happy five days in Majorca with our equally happy two year old son. Location for me personally was nothing to write home about. Perched between the beach, a Burger King and various German themed eateries and bars, this hotel is a concrete palace designed to appeal to the lower common denominator. The guests were almost uniquely German package tourists. As such, there was the usual collective march to breakfast and the evening half-board buffets. Breakfast was included in our rate, but we gave the evening buffet and hoopla a very wide berth and went off to find some good places to eat. Thankfully we did, and they were great (TIP - you will not find anything great in Playa unless you are keen on chips and frankfurters, aside from the Rancho Picadero which was great). We made frequent use of the 15 or 25 buses to downtown Palma (a great City with some stunning restaurants to enjoy) with a bus or taxi back. The buses are great value for money at EUR 1.25, and cabs not at all un-reasonable at EUR 15 or so from the centre of Palma.

Pool scene was hard to report on as it wasn't the warmest few days with temperatures in the low 20's, but the indoor pool was great for our son, despite the feral behaviour of some of the jungen Deutsche.

Beach is fantastic. Son loved it, and still finding sand two weeks on.

Things to do - the Soller Tren is a must. Great day out, and easy to find in Palma for the hour or so train ride to Soller. Palma Aquarium was a real hit for our two year old, and only a ten minute walk from the hotel. The aquarium is superb and well worth a visit.

We wanted to be as far away from the English package crowd as possible, and in Playa you are almost guaranteed that as it is as German as Magaluf is English. Had I booked earlier (and not a day or two before we went) I would have taken a hotel in central Palma itself. That is perhaps a slight disservice to the Iberostar as it was clean, comfortable and good value, but not really four star. The apartment was fine, comfy beds, good balcony and we all slept very well, but nothing really to write home about. Highly disappointed to not find any room service - I thought that was a prerequisite for a four star hotel or am I missing something?

Hotel bar was great in the evenings, but lunchtime bar food was very disappointing. Breakfast buffet was excellent, fresh and plentiful.

Altogether, decent break.

Clean apatment, but very basic. You have to pay for the use of the safe. Put a deposit down for towels. The breakfast is nice, a large selection. Full of Germans did not see any English. Pool bar is very basic. There is a limited amount of snacks you can purchase but only at set times.
This hotel was cheap basic and needs to be totally updated. The staff are friendly, i don't think i saw one under the age of 60!.
Luckily for us the sun shone and this break was all about the sun and definately not the luxury!

We got onto the EMT public bus number 21 to our hotel ocation.This only took apprx 15 mins to get to our hotel,the stop is out side the hotel and cost 1:25 euros each...forget a taxi! The buses are right outside the airport terminal so with our 10kg suitcases in tow, not a prob.The hotel is positioned on the main road and only 6 storeys high .All the rooms have a sea view.Hotel has all nationalities and was really accommodating, breakfast great , we were"nt booked for evening meal.Rooms cleaned well etc.So the Germans were the main parties but we found out Majorca at this time of year is when they go crazy for cycling and train in the resort, its colourful and in truth we got the bug and hired bikes for 5 euros each (all day) and got out and about.Turn left on the main promenade, head to El Arenal and head for El Capo into the country.The roads have cycle paths and its safe.Getting about via the public bus to Palma catch the EMT number 25 cost...1:25 euros Palma is expensive don"t but aftershave or perfumes you buy cheaper from shops along the prom outside the hotel! Palma though is beautiful and cosmopolitan well worth a visit.Guess what? Got the EMT number 21 bus back to airport...same price as above , We"ll return again.

We stayed half-board at the hotel for a week, and had an very nice apartment with two rooms and sea-view balcony. We arrived late in the evening, after the evening-meal. But that was no problem, since the nice receptionist offered us a great meal for two in the hotel restaurant. Good service! We were looking forward to a relaxing holiday; lie on the beach and enjoy great meals:) We soon realized that all the other guests average-age was about 60, and they were all German. We got the impression that the whole area consisted of german tourists, and german culture. We were also "lucky" beeing there as the World Championship in football took place in South-Africa...very annoying... We have nothing against Germans, but we would like to meet them in Germany instead.
At the evening there was a show at the hotel until about 11, and after that it was quiet...TOO quiet! We tried the hotelbar one evening, alone. Haha, very funny! Then we tried other bars in the area, but after ten german drinking songs, and two football matches, we returned to the hotel. At daytime the hotel opened a little restaurant by the pool area, but we never saw anyone eating there. Not so very strange actually, as sthe staff did nor offer very much service, and the food was awful. We believe they were perfectly happy about the situation. In general we do not recommend the food at the hotel, hardly average, no surprises..
One day we rented bikes, and cycled to the nearest town Can Pastilla, recommended:) We also took the bus to Palma; visited the cathedral, went shopping and enjoyed a great meal. Very nice and interesting city!