Why Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa is one of Mallorca’s beachiest family hotels

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa sits right on one of Mallorca’s loveliest beaches. But that’s far from all that makes this all-inclusive resort remarkable, as Kim Jones and her family recently discovered.

View from our room, Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa

Why Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa is close to the perfect beach hotel

Ask any parent what they want from a family beach holiday and – apart from the obvious (good weather) –  most of us would also prioritise being close enough to a safe and sandy beach that getting to it (laden down with heavy bags, unwieldy umbrellas, picnics and all manner of other beach paraphernalia), doesn’t take an age and cause a huge headache when you’ve got excited or over-tired little ones or teens dragged out of bed in tow.

When you stay at Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa hotel, proximity to a beach is more than taken care of. Just a couple of minute’s walk from our room, through the sunflower-filled gardens of the hotel, and we were on a private path that spilled directly onto a superb stretch of white sands. Forgotten your sunscreen? No matter. Your room is mere moments away. Neglected to pack a water bottle? The hotel’s bars are right behind you and ready to take your order.

Playa de Muro, Northeast Mallorca

As we plunged into the calm, clear waters I reckoned this had to be one of the most hassle-free family trips to the beach we’d ever had.

And what a beach! The hotel lies directly on Playa de Muro, on the north-east coast of Majorca, widely considered to be one of the island’s top stretches of sand. With sweeping views over Alcudia Bay, it acts as an idyllic extension of the hotel gardens: Blue-flag, family friendly and shallow-watered.

Family pools, Iberostar Selection Albufera Park

Swap sands for pools, there are no fewer than seven

After a dip in the refreshing clear waters, you can lie back on a hotel lounger or hire snorkels or paddleboards.
Then it’s just minutes back to your room for a shower. Or if your water babies haven’t had enough of a splashing time, they can continue the fun in one of the seven pools on site.

For younger families, there are pools filled with slides, water-spouting fish, frogs, and splashing, crashing buckets to dodge. And if you prefer a more tranquil experience, there are more serene pools, too, where you can swim a few leisurely lengths, then indulge in some holiday reading poolside. A dip in the rooftop pool is a must –  with gorgeous views over the bay, it’s the perfect place to sip a sundowner as you watch the sunset.

Swim-up rooms, Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa

Choose a room with a view or rooms you swim up to

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa is a 4-star hotel that was totally refurbished in 2023. It’s part of a resort which includes the neighbouring Iberostar Selection Albufera Park and, as a guest, you can wander between the two hotels, use their shared facilities and dine in their 10 restaurants and bars throughout your holiday.

You can choose from swim-up rooms, garden-view, pool view or sea-view rooms. We stayed in a lovely side sea-view room with a balcony –  our two sons in an identical room next door. There are also family rooms with a separate living room which have two sofa beds or bunk beds.

Beachy Mallorca, Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa

Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa is the responsible all-inclusive resort

The resort is all-inclusive. And before you turn up your nose at the thought of poor quality food or bristle at the thought of ‘all that waste’, it’s worth re-evaluating your perspective when you hear about Iberostar’s ‘honest food initiative.’  It means they use only quality ingredients, seasonal produce wherever possible, and sustainable practices. For example, they’re dedicated to responsible fish consumption, aiming for 100% responsibility by 2025.

Recipes are also free from nasty artificial ingredients  – and it’s evident in any taste test. The three buffet restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with diverse healthy menu options – including vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free choices – that are imaginative and fresh. There are also three a la carte restaurants on site serving Greek, Spanish and Mexican cuisine.

Iberostar has also adopted an ‘intelligent’ food system that helps track and predict how much food to prepare so there’s less waste at the end of every day. Again, with the target of becoming waste-free by 2025.

Star Camp, Iberostar Selection Albufera Park

Even Star Camp proves its commitment to sustainability

The hotel group’s commitment to sustainability goes far beyond their food, though. Iberostar has launched Wave of Change, a pioneering initiative that also encourages a circular economy and preserving coastal health. For this reason, all the rooms in Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa are free of single-use plastics and there’s a real focus on working to preserve the ecosystems of this corner of Mallorca.

This even extends to activities that go on at the hotel’s Star Camp for children aged four to 17 where you can expect a programme that’s packed with fun and educational activities that teach them about the importance of respecting and appreciating the natural world.

The camp also adopts the ‘Theory of Multiple Intelligences’, tailoring activities to each child’s learning style and talents – whether painting workshops, science experiments or games and team challenges.

Rooftop pool, Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa

Don’t miss the all-day ice cream bar at Iberostar Selection Albufera Playa

Away from Star Camp, entertainment on site goes on from morning until night. We played table tennis and had family padel tennis competitions like it was going out of fashion – and enjoyed some of the professional dance and musical shows that happen on stage every evening.

Oh, and did we mention there’s an ice-cream bar serving your fill of flavoured ice-creams on tap, all day? And a superb spa – where my partner and I enjoyed a heavenly couples massage? Everything about this hotel is geared up to make your holiday as easy and fun-filled as it can be.

Kim cycling, S’Albufera Nature Reserve

Get out and about in Northeast Mallorca, it’s beautiful here

With so much going on, it’s not surprising that some guests rarely leave the hotel grounds. But it’s definitely worth tearing yourself away to explore your surroundings.

The hotel is right next to the S’Albufera Nature Reserve  – a protected area of wetlands where you can spot all sorts of birdlife, including peregrines, avocets, falcons and even black vultures. We hired bikes from the hotel to get there and cycled around two of the four marked trails, stopping off at birdwatching hides en-route.

Take plenty of water with you as there’s lots of ground to cover. Entry is free, but you need to sign a permit at the reception centre, a five minute cycle (15 minute walk) from the main entrance.

Alcudia, Northeast Mallorca

The beautiful old town of Alcudia is about 8km away – a cycle ride, easy drive or you can take the bus. It’s easy to spend a day here, exploring the charming narrow streets and historic buildings, climbing the medieval walls that encircle the old town and bagging a bargain at the market.

About 6km east of Alcudia, located off the beaten track in a protected wildlife sanctuary, is the Museo Sa Bassa Blanca – a treasure trove of weird and wonderful art and artefacts dating from the 16th century to contemporary pieces. There’s a gallery dedicated to children’s portraits through the ages, as well as a modern space showcasing the latest in art trends. As you explore the gardens, you’ll also come across intriguing sculptures that add a dash of eccentricity to the surroundings.