Grupotel Aguait Review: Worth It in Cala Ratjada?

With so many options in Mallorca, we had a hard time picking a beach town and hotel for our vacation. We’re so glad we chose Grupotel Aguait in Cala Ratjada. The resort is a little off the path from the heart of town, but the quiet setting and easy walkway into town gave us the right balance at a price that made sense on an expensive island. This pick isn’t for everyone, so here are the pros and cons to help you decide.

This is not sponsored. We paid for this hotel stay ourselves, and our opinions and recommendations are entirely our own. Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no additional cost to you.

👉 Read our complete guide to Cala Ratjada here: Cala Ratjada, Mallorca: Is It the Right Vibe for Your Trip?

First Impressions at Grupotel Aguait Resort & Spa

We walked into the lobby at Grupotel Aguait Resort & Spa and immediately saw blue water through the glass doors on the other side. That’s the right vibe to start a vacation. It’s a beautiful hotel that makes you feel relaxed the second you’re on the water, even if it isn’t five-star luxury.

Reception is on your left and the bar is on your right. At check-in, the front desk asked if we wanted to add breakfast for 5€ per person per day, or pay 12€ a la carte each morning. We’re not big breakfast eaters, but at that price, it was totally worth it.

The service set the tone for the whole stay. The pool bar staff learned our names right away, and we got the same warmth at the front desk and in the restaurant.

How Far Is Grupotel Aguait From Cala Ratjada Town?

When we first arrived, I looked around and thought we were too secluded. I’d researched the walk into town before booking, and for a minute I couldn’t find it.

Pro tip: Face the water, walk out toward the pool, and go all the way left until you’re at the end of the property. You’ll see a set of stairs. There are a couple of rocks to climb over and a short sandy, rocky stretch before you reach the paved walkway. We had no trouble with it, but anyone with mobility issues should know about that first section being a little tricky and look for a smoother path.

Once you’re on the pedestrian path, it’s an easy walk. The Passeig Marítim follows the coast about 1.5 miles from the hotel to the far end in the heart of town, so it was a nice 3-mile round trip to the very end of the walkway get our steps in. We did it twice a day, at lunch and at dinner to get 6 miles in without needing the gym. You’ll pass bars and restaurants and have water views the whole way.

Passeig Marítim walkway into Cala Ratjada

Beaches, Coves, and Activities at the End of the Walkway

Platja de Son Moll is the main sandy beach less than a mile from the hotel but its crowd and small. There are also small rocky coves along the way, including one right at the hotel, where you can get in and snorkel or swim around. At the end of the walkway, you’ll find the small harbor where you can arrange for small boat trips, kayak rentals, or just plenty of places to stop for a drink.

I’m a seasoned kayaker, and the kayaking looked rough to me. We actually watched people get escorted back in from choppy water. So, the boat trips look like a better option to us, especially when the sea is rough.

If you’d rather not go anywhere, the loungers are great at the hotel. Grupotel Aguait has them spread across the grassy areas, by the pool, and overlooking the rocky cliffs above the water.

Grupotel Aguait Rooms: Book the Sea View

The room was basic and comfortable. We had two twin beds pushed together in the usual European setup rather than a real king bed, only one pillow each, and sheets that felt a little scratchy. I’m sure we could’ve asked for extra bedding but there wasn’t any available in the closet. The walk-in shower was nice, and we were happy it didn’t have a 1980s bathtub. My only real wish is softer linens and a couple more pillows.

The room was also very quiet, and the blackout curtains were excellent. We slept well all three nights.

We chose an upgraded sea view room, and we’re glad we did. The rooms are small, so the balcony becomes a nice extension. We sat out there with a glass of wine and looked over the rocks and the water. Our balcony was set away from the pool, so we didn’t get any of that noise, though pool-facing has its own appeal if you like people watching. We were kind of laughing at the daily water aerobics at 11 am.

The air conditioning was a little too warm by American standards but cool by European ones. I was comfortable. Theo likes it Arctic, but adapt in Spain in August, and I always bring a mini fan.

Food and Drink at Grupotel Aguait

There’s one full restaurant, plus a poolside restaurant that’s good for appetizers and drinks during the day. The main restaurant does buffet breakfast and dinner, and there are lunch options we never got around to trying.

They serve breakfast until 10:30. I would have loved 11:00, but we went down around 10:00 every day and still had plenty of options. There were eggs cooked to order, Pinchos, fresh juices, and Prosecco, along with the full range of American and European breakfast options. We made little fried egg sandwiches with cheese and bacon and had orange juice and Prosecco with them. You can sit inside or outside over the water, and the setting is nice either way.

We tried the buffet dinner one night and paid 25€ total for the two of us. For a resort buffet, it was very good. We sat outside because the evening was cooler, and we put together a nice mix of things. We still enjoyed our dinners in town more, but it was nice to have this option on arrival when we were exhausted. 👀 Looking for the best dining options in Cala Ratjada? Read our full guide here: Cala Ratjada Restaurants: Best Spots for Food and Drinks

We would skip the all-inclusive if you want to explore the town. Cala Ratjada has many good restaurants a 15-20 minute walk from the hotel. We were happy with the 5€ breakfast and keeping dinners flexible. But if you don’t want to leave the resort at all, the all-inclusive option is available and the food is good.

Grupotel Aguait dinner was good for a buffet

Pool, Gym, and Spa

The pool was a bit small and lots of people actually used it, so it did get busy. It was fine. Not bad, not fantastic, but the views from the pool are outstanding and that’s what really makes this property special.

The gym had a nice set up, also overlooking the sea, so that’s always a nice touch. The spa was right next to the gym but we didn’t book any services. We feel like the trip went by too fast, but it’s nice to have the option to get massages.

What Grupotel Aguait Costs

The room cost $255 per night. Everything we spent, without even trying to budget, worked out to $1,500 for the two of us for three nights. That covers every meal, every drink, and everything we did on and off the resort. For Mallorca in August, we were happy with that.

The one number that made me pause was the airport transfer. We were quoted $150 to $200. The hotel had a taxi deal at 110€ ($125) each way, which still isn’t cheap. But everything else in Cala Ratjada was reasonable enough that the transfer didn’t change how we felt about the value.

Pro Tip: Ask about the hotel taxi rate when you book rather than arranging a transfer yourself. Grupotel Aguait had a fixed rate.

How Far Is Grupotel Aguait, Cala Ratjada, From Palma Airport?

Plan on being in transit for a solid hour or even a bit longer. That’s why the transfer was so expensive (see above) and we were glad we accidentally got a shuttle for 10 people for just $25 more on the way there. it’s far, but we would still book it again because it’s quiet and beautiful with plenty of things to do.

Our shuttle from Palma Airport to Cala Ratjada

Late August in Cala Ratjada

We went the last week of August, and it felt quiet but still hot. Many schools are back in session and people were returning to work across Europe, so the crowds had thinned out. We’d originally planned this trip for September and moved it for personal reasons, so we paid more than we would have a few weeks later. The increase wasn’t bad, and neither were the crowd levels.

Who Should Book Grupotel Aguait

We looked at about five beach towns before booking this trip. They share a lot of the same features, like a beach that will be busy, small rocky coves for swimming and snorkeling, and an area with bars and restaurants. Our decision came down to price and not wanting a party beach, while still having enough going on to keep us busy. Cala Ratjada hit both, and we were really happy with the decision.

Book It If: You want a relaxing resort with a nice walk into town, you like getting your steps in, you want activity during the day and rest at night, and you care about price on an expensive island.

Skip It If: You want a party scene, or you want full luxury in the room itself. The grounds and the setting are lovely, and the room is exactly what you’d expect at this price.

The one place we’d try next time is Playa Sóller. We spent a day there and loved it, and it’s a little closer to Palma. It also costs more, which is why we didn’t book it this time. We’d still stay at Grupotel Aguait again in a heartbeat, so on a longer trip we’d add Sóller as a second stop.

Grupotel Aguait Cala Ratjada: At-a-Glance

Location: outside the center of Cala Ratjada, about a mile walk along the Passeig Marítim (3 miles round trip to the end of the walkway)
Room rate: $255 per night in late August
Total trip cost: $1,500 for two people over three nights, everything included
Breakfast: 5€ per person per day added at check-in, served until 10:30
Buffet dinner: 25€ for two
Airport transfer: 110$€ each way if arranged through the hotel
Book this room: sea view with a balcony
Best for: couples who want quiet, walkability, and value but still great bars and restaurants in town
Not for: party travelers or anyone wanting luxury. This is a solid resort with amazing service and beautiful views but it’s mid-range not luxe.

Grupotel Aguait FAQs

Is Grupotel Aguait Worth It?

Yes, if you want a relaxing resort with a walkable route into town at a fair price. The setting, the grounds, and the service are fantastic. The rooms are simple, so book the sea view and spend your time on the balcony, at the pool, or in town.

How Far Is Grupotel Aguait From Cala Ratjada Town Center?

About 1 mile along the paved Passeig Marítim, and 3 miles round trip to the end. The first minute of the path has stairs and a rocky, sandy stretch, and the rest is flat and easy.

Should I Book All-Inclusive at Grupotel Aguait?

We wouldn’t. We added breakfast for 5€ per person at check-in and ate dinner in town most nights. The buffet dinner is good and costs 25€ for two if you want a night in.

Is the Sea View Room at Grupotel Aguait Worth the Upgrade?

Yes. The rooms are small, and the balcony becomes the space you use most. Ours looked out over the rocks and the water and was set away from the pool, so it stayed quiet.

Are There Beaches Near Grupotel Aguait?

Yes, but nothing spectacular. There’s a lovely cove for swimming and snorkeling right at the hotel. The walkway into Cala Ratjada goes by small rocky coves that are good for swimming and snorkeling, and Platja de Son Moll is a sandy beach at the start of town less than a mile from the hotel, but its small and crowded. This is more for sea views and loungers, with a swim in the cove, rather than a sandy beach spot.

How Much Does a Trip to Cala Ratjada Cost?

We spent $1,500 for two people over three nights in late August, and that included the room, all our meals and drinks on and off the resort, and everything we did.

👀 Looking for more hotel options in Cala Ratjada? Read our full guide here: Cala Ratjada Hotels: Our Picks for Every Budget