If you automatically associate the Balearic Isle of Majorca with rough n tumble Magaluf, it’s time to have a rethink about your Majorca holidays. With beaches that rival the best of the Caribbean for pristine white sands and shallow turquoise bays and tiny medieval towns that offer a glimpse into an untouched paradise, Majorca is a holiday haven for those in-the-know.
Palma
The old town of Palma is truly unmissable and best seen by night. Start your evening up on the roof terrace at the luxuriously minimalist Tres hotel. Head up to the third floor where you can enjoy an al-fresco cocktail, feet dangling into the glass-sided mini-pool, whilst gazing over at the unspoilt views of Palma Cathedral as the sun sets over the port. It’s a view you won’t forget for a while!
After nightfall, but only if you have reserved a table, head for tapas at La Boveda – choose from their cavernous taverna for an intimate but lively crowd or their port-front restaurant for people-watching. Play russian-roulette with the Peppers de Padron, delight in the Gambas Pil Pil and wash it all down with an ice-cold bottle of Cava chosen from the vast selection displayed up in the rafters.
Post dinner, plump for pure old-school glamour and head to Abaco. Behind the ancient (and imposing) timber doors you’ll find a theatrical seventeenth century palace that will transport you to a long-gone era. Elaborately decorated with chandeliers, cascading towers of fruit and enormous floral displays and with a cocktail menu just as awe-inspiring you’ll be thoroughly entertained until the early hours.
At which point you’ll be delighted to wander the winding cobbled streets back to the bohemian luxury that is Puro Hotel. The white-washed stone-walled hotel was once a 14th century palace and retains all of its oasis-like calm thanks to a serenely peaceful central courtyard, complete with palms and water features. Don’t sleep in too long as the roof deck, up on the 8th floor comes complete with eight four-poster day beds and plunge pool and is far too beautiful to be bypassed.
www.hoteltres.com C/ Apuntadors, 3 07012 Palma, 971 71 73 33
www.tabernadelaboveda.com, Passeig Sagrera, 3, Palma, 971 72 00 26
www.bar-abaco.com, Carre Sant Joan, 1 07012 Palma, 971 714 939
www.purohotel.com www, c/ Montenefro, 12 07012, Palma, 971 42 54 50