This hotel is sexy. Crisp white walls and giant leather cherry-bomb-red chairs dot the area in front of reception. Some of the chairs in the dining and bar areas can feel outdated; but the coy black, red, and white theme throughout restores the common areas with a bit of edge. The hotel's two pools have a similarly colorful and edgy theme, flanked by shaggy white umbrellas and sleek loungers. As an adults-only upscale property, there's an air of maturity about the place, with subtle undertones of a relaxed party atmosphere. Poolside drinks come in glass, not plastic, and the Astoria's owners -- it's a family-owned property -- are reportedly very present, interacting frequently with guests and taking pride in ensuring that everything is up to standard.

The Port of Alcudia, where the Astoria Playa is located, is a touristy but tasteful part of the island. Full of good bars, clubs, restaurants, and terraces, it buzzes with options while preserving a very laid-back Mediterranean feel. A huge, sandy white beach with completely transparent waters is a 10-minute walk away. It gets crowded, but is a much better option than other touristy beaches like Arenal. There are also plenty of loungers to go around and a generous row of trees to camp out under.  The main drawback is that the property is a 45-minute drive from the airport and central Palma. Outside of the entertainment and dining area surrounding the hotel, there isn't much nearby sightseeing. With a hired car, the towns of Pollenca and Sa Pobla are under 20 minutes away, and definitely worth a visit.  

Basic rooms at the Hotel Astoria are comfortable but average in terms of offerings and decor; they come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, balconies, and rainfall showerheads in the bathrooms. For a fuller four-pearl experience, the Suite is worth the upgrade. It has a two-person hot tub right next to the bed, and a spacious hydro-massage shower. It's decorated with trendy white and transparent furniture, with the occasional smattering of colorful pop art. The pool views from the terrace are also good. Alcudia is a town full of resorts, and from higher floors, guests have a bird's eye view down the strip.  

The Astoria Playa has two magnificent pools: one simple and surrounded by shaggy white umbrellas, and another more funky with an island of palm trees floating in its center. Lit up in shades of purple at night, the latter is a festive place for evening poolside drinks. Otherwise, there's an impeccably maintained mini-golf area and a sunny outdoor terrace for drinks and snacks. Blau Blue is the buffet restaurant, while El Rincon offers lighter fare on an outdoor deck.There is no wellness center -- the hotel's vibe is clearly more about lounging and relaxing.