Spain
If you’re heading to Mallorca for a spring cycling trip, be sure to make Son Brull a beer or food stop on your way back from a ride. Set in the hillside not far from Port de Pollenca, Son Brull is a restored 18th century monastery which has been sensitively converted into a boutique hotel and spa. Cycling up the imposing driveway you find yourself outside a stone courtyard which leads through to the infinity pool and terrace. It is a fantastic spot to end the day in a rather beautiful setting.
www.sonbrull.com
Crta. Palma- Pollença
PM 220, Km 49,9
Pollença, Mallorca, España
+34 971 53 53 53
Google map: bit.ly/VHiNPP
Step off the tourist treadmill and into sleepy Alaro, a small town of narrow streets from where you can follow graded paths and running trails through pine woods and stunning valleys.Try lunch at the best lamb eating place in the Balearics in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana after a lovely walk or drive. The small family -run Petit Hotel is beautifully furnished and reasonably priced, offering authentic Mallorquin cuisine. It is located close to the shady plaza where you can enjoy delicious local ice cream or pastries from the bakery and where markets and fiestas will be held during August.
www.petithotelalaro.es
Camp Roig 43, 07340 Alaró Mallorca
+34 971 518 751
Google map: bit.ly/OWmjhE
Beautiful small rural hotel in the stunning village of Orient. My wife and two teenage sons stayed here in August last year. Son Palou is a family owned and run and the welcome we had from check in until we checked out made us feel like part of the family. The hotel is in the charming village of Orient and I can only describe the hotel as Heaven on earth.
Specific highlights were the swimming pool where my sons and me spent an idyllic summer afternoon, our evening meal on the terrace patio - the suckling pig was wonderful. We also enjoyed the freshest sangria I have ever tasted. My youngest son's highlight was the fresh orange juice at breakfast straight from the orchard.
The website is lovely but the reality is even better, every part of the hotel inside and out is pristine.
Son Palou has my highest recommendation and we will be back.
www.sonpalou.com/
Plaza de la Iglésia s/n · 07349 Orient, Baleares
+34 971 14 82 82
Google map: bit.ly/KyU0JB
Adults only hotel tucked away on the north eastern part of island. Amazing pool area with sun loungers and four poster beds on the grass. It's an oasis of calm. Luxurious air-conditioned bedrooms and public areas.
There is a buffet menu for all meals with local cuisine and fresh produce. Sporting activity programe and nightly entertainment if you want it. An adult only haven. No coincidence most of my fellow guests were teachers!
www.hotelsviva.com/en/hotel/vanity-hotel-suite-&-spa.html
Urbanización Cala Mesquida, s/n, 07580 Capdepera (Mallorca), Spain
+34 971 89 70 08
Google map: bit.ly/IHePjG
A friendly, very clean hotel that offers large family rooms with views of the Cathedral and harbour. Extremely well located, within a two-minute walk you find yourself on Paseig Maritimo in central Palma giving you easy access to the Cathedral, the Almudaina Moorish palace, the port and vast promenade, but also quaint shops that still sell Spanish-made leather goods, shoes, clothes. A few minutes in the opposite direction takes you to the open air market where you can stock up on local goats cheeses and meats, sweets and local empanada pastries. Snaking through the medieval streets takes you to the station, from where you can catch a train or bus to other parts of Mallorca, as well as the old picturesque train to inland Soller. Go at carnival time, so you can soak up the good-natured atmosphere, with families turning out in fancy dress for two days running: pirates, bumblebees, Smurfs, ladybirds or Inquisitors provide a riot of colours and laughter. Come back to the hotel for a glass of dark, deep local red wine on the sun terrace, and watch the sun set over the mountains or enjoy views of Bellver castle on the horizon.
www.hotelalmudaina.com/
Avenida Jaime III, 907012 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España
+34 971 727 340
Google map: bit.ly/KO16X9
A Mallorcan finca converted into a rural luxury hotel, located in the small village of Deia (well know for being the home and inspiration of Robert Graves for many years).
The hotel deco is classic but nice, and it has a good restaurant with fresh fish and local products.
I recommend it to those looking to relax (yoga classes are available) and want to visit 'the other Mallorca', not the one of sun and sangria.
www.esmoli.com
Carretera Deià, Km. 9 of Deià (Mallorca)
Ph. +34 971 639 000 - reservas@esmoli.com
The Mision de San Miguel is a small chic budget hotel in the hearth of Palma (double rooms starting at 90 pound).
I really enjoyed my stay there and it's perfect for a short escapade to Palma, as it's close to Palma shopping, nightlife and restaurant areas.
Can Maçanet 1a
07003 - Palma de Mallorca
Phone:+34 971 214 848
www.hotelmisiondesanmiguel.com
A wonderfully-designed and chic hotel in the Puerto of Soller. Spacious rooms with terrace overlooking the port and a fab bistro.
Avoid if you don't like children.
Es Traves 5
07180 Port of Soller, Mallorca
Ph. +34 971 63 18 50
www.esplendidohotel.com
Birgitta from Sweden has a really cute house in central Soller, where she rents out simple but very tasteful rooms. I was recommended by a friend (it's not an official B&B, they just rent out to friends). Beds are brand new, linen freshly white and the view is quite breathtaking. And there's wireless internet. AND she's the cutest lady you can imagine.
It's on the main shopping street in Soller, c/ Luna 119. Write a nice email to Birgitta at mamasoller@hotmail.com and I'm sure you'll be welcome.
A beautiful hotel about 20 - 25 minutes stroll along the coast from the cathedral (and a 5 minute bus ride into town).
Modern but not cold or boring (Scando style).
Lovely sized rooms (enough room for a big bed and sofa). Discreet TV hifi combo, with a free DVD and CD library (good selection too).
Beautiful coastal views (amazing for the sunset).
A good bar, great breakfast, great burgers (on room service - in fact the room service food is better than the main restaurant which was a bit nouvelle).
Wonderful staff, just really super helpful.
Calle sirena, portixol bay
+34 971 27 50 25
www.portixol.com
A family-run hotel located within walking distance of the centre of Soller. Dating back to the Muslim era, its impeccable accommodations and facilities surrounded by the majestic old orange farm provide visitors with a welcoming sense of wanting to be there forever. The memories from the friendly service provided by Andres and his wife Ana during my honeymoon in August 2000 remain unchanged.
Calle La Villalonga, 23, 07100, Soller, Mallorca
Tel: 971 63 33 32
www.cascurial.com/en/finca-cas-curial.htm
The Juma is a small hotel right on the square at the centre of Pollenca and above one of the local cafes. It is comfortable and the owners, a local family are very helpful and welcoming. So are the bar staff.
Plaça Major, Pollenca, Mallorca.
About three kilometres from the centre of Palma, this is somewhere to go to be pampered. The service here is exemplary. The staff know how to serve without being servile. The Mallorcan is a different person from his counterpart on the mainland.
It boasts five stars, all of which are well-deserved. Everywhere there is space. Cool and marbled. High ceilings and tumbling water.
Even the lifts are examples of good design with walls and ceiling of black glass. The myriad tiny lights in the ceiling illuminate the interior giving an infinity of images of the occupants, who appear to be floating in a void.
Soft squashy sofas and cool, comfortable chairs are everywhere. On landings, around unexpected corners and always within reach, huge ornate bowls of apples and oranges. The decor is subdued elegance from the wide marble staircases to the large abstract paintings on the walls.
Calle Francisco Vidal Sureda 23E
La Bonanova, Palma 07015
Search Been there