Mallorca has a beautiful and sophisticated side to it

There is an awful lot to get to know within an island approximately 75kms from north to south and 100kms from east to west. Winter and Spring are the best times to visit if you are looking for peace and quiet with still plenty to see and do, but because of the locations we have selected the Summer can offer relaxation too.

Spend a day in Palma exploring the old city, do some shopping and linger for dinner. Hire a car to visit the fertile central plain, in January and February it is almond blossom time, beautiful, and have lunch in a lovely marina such as Portals Nous. Perhaps take a train ride to Soller through the mountains and visit the monastery in Valldemossa where Chopin and George Sand spent a winter. So much on offer that a return visit is almost certain and as it is only a couple of hours away, ideal for a long weekend too.

Locations we have chosen

Our selected hotels are generally not in resorts but near small towns or on the coast. We have taken great care to select hotels in beautiful locations and each with a distinctive personality of its own. They all share the charm, facilities and levels of comfort and service we have always sought for our clients.

Santa Maria

Santa Maria is the nearest town to Read’s, about 1½kms from the hotel, it is a charming Mallorcan town with shops, bars and restaurants for those looking for a change or who want to just take a stroll and a coffee. It is easily located if you are driving yourself, and only 20 minutes from the airport and in en route to Read’s. On Sundays there is a surprisingly large market which is well worth a visit. Not far from the town, 5 minutes, is Festival Park, this is a shopping centre which has outlet for some of the shops in Palma often sale items or previous season stock, some good bargains to be had here, plus there are cafes and a large cinema complex. The country lanes leading out of town make for some please viewing of rural life.

Deia

Is very pretty and set the slopes of Teix massif, the town has attracted artists, writers and expatriates for years and therefore has quite a cosmopolitan feel and yet retains all the charms of being a small Mallorcan town with beautiful architecture. The small shops, galleries and cafes are worth exploring for something a little different and the surrounding countryside and coastal view are stunning. Certainly an interesting drive if you go via Soller. Explore the small winding streets and you may come across the poet Robert Graves House or find his last place of rest in the cemetery beside the Sant Joan Bautista church. La Residencia hotel is located in Deia, if you are staying elsewhere then a visit here this makes a lovely day out as the journey takes in some of the loveliest parts of Mallorca – stop in Soller en route, they still operate a steam train here . The nearest beach is the tiny cove of Cala de Deia and is popular even though it is a rocky beach probably because the water here is so clear and safe for children.

Puigpunyent

Set on the eastern slopes of the Tramuntan Mountains, Puigpunyent is a natural enclave of exceptional beauty not far from Palma. Several summits in the mountain chain located nearby make the area the ideal starting point for excursions of all kinds.
The valley of Puigpunyent is surrounded mountain peaks and Pine forests which also include beautiful examples of hundred-year-old holm oak trees. The eighteenth-century church of la Assumpció de la Mare de Déu, located in Puigpunyent, and the neo-classical church in the hamlet of Galilea are the main attractions of local architecture. There are the usual shops and cafes to be found in a small typical Mallorcan village and this area would suit those looking for peace and tranquillity in beautiful natural surroundings. Gran Hote Son Net is located just above the village.

Puerto de Pollensa

Is much more of a tourist area than most of the areas we have selected though by comparison is relatively small. Located on the north east coast of the island, the town’s marina dominates, and many water borne activities are available from here such as boat trips to Formentor, scuba diving, sailing and more. There is a public sandy beach popular with tourists and locals alike and a range of restaurants from cheap and cheerful to very good fish restaurants in the Marina. Our chosen hotel, Llenaire, is located above and outside this resort and is a complete contrast to the bustling town, a quiet family run small hotel. It is useful to have all the amenities that Puerto Pollensa has, close by, but most of our clients stay at this hotel for relaxation or to use it as a base for walking as this is a good area to explore on foot or by car.

Costa d’en Blanes

This is a coastal area that includes Portals Nous and the Puerto Portals luxury Yacht Marina and is only 9kms from Palma city. The area has many small “resorts” along its coast and our chosen hotel in this area is the Mardavall which is only a few minutes walk from Puerto Portals Marina. Many guests at this hotel would probably wander down to the Marina or go into Palma for shopping, dining or site seeing. There are sandy beaches in this area for example; Platja d´en Blanes is a small sandy beach which is 50 m long and 15 m wide and Oratori de Portals Beach is the beach of Puerto Portals and the residential area of Portals Nous, it has fine sand and is 220 m long and 40 m wide and Cala Bendinat is a lovely beach which is 50 m long and 20 m wide.

Palma

Our hotel located within the Palma district is not actually in the town but set above it on its own golf course, Castillo Son Vida has easy access to this lovely city. Palma takes a little time to get to know, first impressions are deceptive as the town on its outskirts merges with other areas. But take the time to wander to old town, there is a vast range of things to see and do, the most obvious due to its size is the Cathedral near the waterfront. In fact there is a useful underground car park in front of it, a good place to park the car then work your way up into the old town, perhaps to try one of the many restaurants, bars and cafes. Or maybe shopping is your thing – head for Jaime III with smaller shops, Las Avenidas the main shopping street with well known names, or better still the smaller streets St Nicolau and Placa Rosario. You will find some great shoe shops, designer shops, jewellery shops plenty for the serious shopper! More on what to see is shown on our What to do page above.

Formentor Peninsula

This is a stunning area of natural beauty and is protected nature park at the northern end of the Tramuntana Mountains. Its is a 12 mile headland of steep cliffs and lovely forests and is a bird watchers paradise. The hotel we use here is Barcelo Formentor which has a lovely sandy beach in its bay. This area has fortunately has restricted development and is a nature lovers ideal location. If you are not staying at the hotel the area is well worth a day out to visit with the stunning scenery and views not found anywhere else on the island.

Golf in Mallorca

This is an important aspect of visiting the island with about 20 courses to choose from. We list some of the better known ones on our What to do page and many of these are have connections with our hotels ensuring guaranteed tee times.

What to see and do in Mallorca

As expected of a popular holiday island there is more than enough for everyone and we have itemised some of these on our What to do pages above – including some of the nicest beaches.

Events in Mallorca

Again as with many Catholic destinations fiestas are regularly held and are a nice way to blend with the locals. Other events are listed on our What’s on page above and include exhibitions and music festivals.

Dining in Mallorca

Apart from our excellent hotels restaurants which in Michelin star chefs, there is a huge ranges of restaurants and bodegas to choose from. Mallorca cuisine is typically Mediterranean, with savoury dishes the most tasty, fish, meat and bread featuring strongly but vegetables are widely used too. Experiment a little with the tapas, a little taste of many different dishes, the Spanish ham is always very good as is the Manchega cheese.

Getting Around Mallorca

Car Hire Having a hired car is in our opinion one of the best ways to get around, it gives you independence and freedom to come and go at your leisure and to see some of the best vistas. Some of our hotels are located in the countryside and driving to and from them is not difficult. The roads are generally good and a map of the island shows how easy it is to get to most places. Even driving into Palma is not as bad as you think, look for signs that lead to the Port and then park in the underground car park in front of the Cathedral, there is no better landmark!

Buses There are bus links between villages and towns and within the more urban areas of places like Palma

Trains Mallorca still operates a train system, in Palma is Plaça d´Espanya the station with trains that operate to Soller. Trains to Inca Sa Pobla and Manacor leave from the main train station in Palma.

Taxis are naturally widely available in the busier areas and in quiet regions you hotel will happlily arrange one for you.

If you are a keen Cyclist you will not be alone many locals and visitors are seen getting around on two wheels.

Things to buy: Leather goods including bags and shoes, pottery, glass, natural and artificial pearls and local wines are very palatable.

Prestige Plus in Mallorca
Private taxi transfers to and from the airport unless you have booked a hire car
Travel guide to Mallorca
Welcome fruit or wine in your room on arrival with our compliments
The support and services of our local handling agent who will contact you the day after you arrival and who will have organised your on island arrangements such as golf.
We do not have a representative that visits you here as distances and guest out exploring or playing golf mean she would probably not see you.