FERGUS Club Europa

Club Europa joined the Balearic-based Fergus chain in 2015, which carried out a much-needed resort-wide revamp. This contemporary makeover is evident on first sight at the reception area, an airy, beach hut-style space with tropical plants, clusters of wicker lampshades, and leafy trellis murals adding to the relaxed island feel. With more than 400 rooms spread across dozens of rows of two-story bungalows scattered around acres of verdant gardens, the layout feels more than a little like a Mediterranean village. Being set in a hillside means plenty of steps and steep footpaths, so the resort isn't ideal for guests with limited mobility. Besides that, however, the property is enormously family-friendly with a multitude of kid-focused facilities catering mostly to younger children. While high season can feel a little overrun with noisy tots, a separate adults-only section ensures there's somewhere grown-ups can find some peace and quiet. 

The hotel has one of the more usual locations just off the busy main road on the outskirts of Peguera -- a former fishing village turned laid-back resort town particularly popular with German tourists. Set into the hillside, the resort is built on a slope that can be steep in places, but it's near a lovely pine forest with numerous hiking trails. It's about a 15-minute walk to the Peguera's sweeping sandy beach, and to its decent range of restaurants, cafes, and bars -- though most rely on the hotel's free shuttle bus service. There's also a large supermarket two minutes' walk away. It's a short drive from some lovely coastline and coves, including those at Cala Fornells. It's also an easy 20-minute drive from the charming cobbled streets and gothic cathedral of Palma's Old Town, while Palma de Mallorca Airport is another five minutes by car.

Units at FERGUS Club Europa come in two types: standard doubles and suites. The vast majority received a makeover in 2016 and have a bright and modern combination of cool gray, black, and white, with rustic wicker accents and simple contemporary furniture. Some guest rooms in the adults-only section have decor from a few years back. Ground-floor rooms have furnished terraces with upper levels opening to balconies with garden, pool, or pine forest views; pool-facing rooms are certainly noisier. Suites add separate lounges with dining areas and double sofa-beds, sleeping up to three adults and a child. Standard in-room amenities include 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with a few English-speaking channels, including one for kids), mini-fridges (filled on request), and electronic safes (for a fee). Suites also add espresso machines, microwaves, bathrobes, and free stocked minibars on arrival. Wi-Fi is free of charge though the signal can vary depending on location. Bathrooms have been tastefully updated with traditional tiling, walk-in showers with rainfall showerheads, and wall-mounted hairdryers, though toiletries are the generic sachet type.

The largest of the hotel's three pools is a huge splash pool with six waterslides, zero-entry access, and a separate shallow section for younger kids. There's also plenty of loungers for parents to watch over their little ones, though the area can obviously get a bit raucous. A more peaceful dip can be had at the "relax pool," which isn't child-free, but noise is discouraged. The third pool, however, is adults-only, and includes a poolside bar and two sunbeds (free of charge). Four kids' clubs caters to children four years old and up, plus there's a childcare for toddlers and a teen room with video games, movies, and Scalextric car racing. Sports facilities include a free tennis court, squash court, and a bright modern gym; bikes are also available to rent.

Most meals are served in the upper-floor dining room, a spacious, bright, and modern eatery offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets. Live cooking includes cooked-to-order eggs in the morning, grilled meat and fish for lunch, and a carving station every evening. There's also a separate adults-only section, which is useful when service becomes overcrowded. A neighboring snack bar-restaurant also provides adults-only breakfast and mostly Italian-inspired food throughout the day. Several past guests have complained that food isn't up to stuff. Other amenities include a coin-operated laundry, a small supermarket, free on-site parking, and free Wi-Fi throughout. 

The all-inclusive rate includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner served buffet-style with live cooking. A restaurant also provides an Italian buffet throughout the day, plus one a la carte dinner per stay. Select alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also covered, and premium drinks including cocktails are served at a 50 percent discount. All kids' clubs are included, as is evening entertainment and sports facilities, except bike rental.