Hotel Santa Maria Playa

We had purchased our trip at the last minute and we were "lucky" to have found availability at this hotel, but for a really expensive price and not worth it. *Positives* 10 minute max, walking to the beach of Cala Millor. Great location for the beach. The staff at both hotels were friendly. They spoke mostly Spanish, German and English. Close to the bars and tourist shops, a super market, a giant home goods and beach supply store, and over-priced restaurants. The hotel pool is nothing spectacular. You won't feel a resort or even a beachy vibe. Just your basic squarish pool. It did have a really deep end for diving in. You can swim in the pool at the sister hotel around the corner. That pool area was nice and family friendly. A little more beach vibes there. Not a huge pool, but good enough for a bunch of grown ups and kids. The hotels and room were clean. If you have to check out early, but your flight doesn't leave till late, you can store your luggage behind reception then go swimming, come back and shower in the guest shower and be fresh for your trip back home. That was nice. *Negatives* Transfer takes 1,5 hours from Airport Palma to the hotel and vice versa. The sound insulation within the building is nill. We heard Eeeevery single thing from our neighbors on both sides and upstairs. The worst noises were coming from housekeeping, early in the godforsaken mornings, scraping and banging furniture around. Who can sleep through that awful noise? And talk about sleep...we got very restless sleep. Due to the very uncomfortable beds and too fat, or too thin pillows. During our first few days we tried sleeping on the original single mattresses, with the box springs poking us in our backs and dips in the center of the mattress. After a few days of that torture, we asked for different mattresses and kindly enough, the housekeeping exchanged them for us. Unfortunately, those were so hard and stiff, they were also uncomfortable to sleep on. I don't have back problems, but I woke up every single day with major pain in my neck, shoulders and back. As soon as we come back home, I finally got a good night's sleep. The rooms also are *not* equipped with a refrigerator. At least not our room. (400's) I didn't know this upon reservation. So if you want a cold drink, which you most likely will after being in the wonderful heat and sunshine, you must walk outside of the hotel to buy your refreshment, or go to their bars. The food: basic choices for breakfast and dinner. Same same every day. It gets boring after a few days. Not really a good variety in hot food. Vegetarians beware, your choices are bread, salad bar, baked beans, mushy broccoli gratin, dry french fries and ketchup. Oh and something they call soup, but looks like gravy (?) Meat lovers, you get your heavenly pick of surf and turf that has been way overcooked. Enjoy the jaw exercise. I must say though, the restaurant staff are very friendly. At the Hotel S.M Playa, there is no animation or night