My husband and I are headed to Barcelona to celebrate our 10 year anniversary at the end of this month (July 2013). We have decided (last minute!) to add 2 nights in Mallorca. We have no expectations as neither of us have been to the island before, just hoping to get pointed in the right direction.

Please advise on best fit (area) for us to stay. We know it will be high tourist season and packed with tourists on much of the island, but still hoping to find some special spots. We have just short of 3 full days. Trying to get a feel for the size and ease of traveling the island... should we set up in one spot and just relax, or get a car and try to visit few different areas? Take the train to Soller and stay there for 2 nights, or stay a night in Palma and then drive to another area for the second night? We are open to driving and stopping at places of interest, but don't want to spend the entire weekend in the car if the island is very spread out or traffic and/or parking is difficult.

Likes:
Picturesque, traditional, clean, well-kept, local flavor. Tend to prefer smaller inns or hotels. Beautiful views, 'harder to access' beach vs. crammed resort beach. Looking to relax, dine, walk, take in the sights/sounds, explore, take a dip in the sea, etc.

Dislikes:
Hi-rises, a generic hotel (no matter how nice) that could exist anywhere - no local flavor, a huge resort-type beach, waterparks, etc.

Suggestions?

I would look for a hotel in the main city of the island; Palma de Mallorca. Really a beautiful city. I do belive there are also some hotels near the waterfront of Palma. But also more than enough hotels in the city itself.

"Harder to access beach"--you might like Deia. I stayed there for three weeks in the mid-70s in a small hotel run by Robert Graves' son. The walk to the beach was ia a oat path through the olive groves.

The Graves place had charm but was very basic and I think no longer a hotel. Pension Miramar or Casa del Mar are both small hotels in Deia.

Stay in Pollenca. It's 5K from the coast but ticks every one of your other boxes, which most seaside resorts won't.

Try the Hotel Son Sant Jordi. We've stayed there several times and always found it excellent. It's a small hotel and a 2 minute stroll into the main square.

Pollenca is full of good restaurants and Mallorcan "feel".

should read "via a goat path"

btw, you need to get reservations asap!

You may
stay at a hotel in a car free street of the old town of Palma and do day trips by bus resp train and bus from there
stay at Soller or Puerto de Soller for hikes to some not too attracive beaches (among them Deia)
stay at Colonia de Sant Jordi and walk along the long beach until you find a very quiet area.
May be it could could be a good idea to rent a car and to stay in a finca at a quiet but somewhat central place in the hinterland and to reach beaches, hiking trails etc. from there.

Thank you all for your quick replies! As Cathinjoetown mentioned, I need to make a reservation ASAP, so I really appreciate each of you for taking a moment to advise.

Tommie G - if staying in Palma, would you rent a car?

Rubicund - checking out Pollenca and the Hotel Son Sant Jordi. Room available in the 'annex'...are you familiar? Still worth the rate, or look elsewhere? From reviews it seems location is perfect, so still may consider, even though 'annex' doesn't sound too appealing

Has anyone been to Alcudia? Found an inn that looks lovely here.

Or the west side - Capdepera? Can't find much info re this area.

Thank you again for all of your insight!

The annex is a few doors down the street and you walk up to the hotel for breakfast. I think it's more apartment like than hotel room. I've not stayed in it, so can't comment, but if it's as good as the rest of the hotel, it'll be OK.

Alcudia is along the coast from Puerto Pollenca, but isn't really much. The west coast can be difficult to get to and you may well need a car there. If you want to explore the island, a car is much more convenient, although if you stay in Plama and don't go away from the city, then it's a hindrance.

A bit late; but if staying in Palma, I would probably stay there and not rent a car. The city provides enough entertainment for 2 days. And public transport is rather good around the city and surrounding coastal resorts.

Lost count of the number of times I have been to Mallorca, first time 3 months old. Must be well over 20 times.

http://www.theothermallorca.com/

Is a really good agency for middle level hotels.

Soller will be busy but the island is huge and most areas do not get too busy even in July. Two nights is a short time, I like Hotel Sant Jordi as well and also

http://www.monnaber.com/

Near Pollensa.

Personally I would skip the car and get the train to Soller, great experience but the town will be busy.

Alcudia is split into effectively three, the old town (small) , the new town and the port. I really like the port and its good restaurants. There isn't as much interest in the old town as Pollensa old town.

The new town which continues for miles onto C'an Picafort is well...new. Mainly 3 and 4 star but just new and not very Spanish, great beach though.

Be VERY careful with car hire, I use Autoroig who asset track cars and drop YOUR car off at the airport. Other airport based agencies simply overbook and leave you waiting for hours before a car appears, particularly in high summer. I have had this problem three times and it is very frustrating.