mallorca
 

hi all! planning a trip to mallorca for the end of may and can't choose where to stay. just when i think i have decided, someplace else seems perfect! your suggestions would be most appreciated. this is my first trip abroad; we are in our 40's; looking to relax; shop; eat; swim (will it be warm enough?); maybe take a sailing excursion; will rent a car if necessary; take a wine tour. we really have no 'must sees' so far, would like to take each day as it comes. may shouldn't be too crowded yet, right? thank you for any insight you can offer. this destination doesn't seem to get a lot of attention...

Yes, it's strange that not more people here ask about Mallorca. A trusted friend was raving about Punta Negra and another one goes to Deia. Sorry, I haven't been to the island. Is supposed to be spectacular. Think I'd head for Deia.

The old question remains, do you have a budget in mind?

thank you for your responses! i'd like to stay less than $250/night if possible. i figure the less expensively we lay our weary heads, the more we will be able to do and see during the day. :) we would prefer character over high rises.

You can easily stay in the capital, Palma, which has shops, cafes, restaurants, sights to see etc in abundance. However, as long time Mallorca afficionados we prefer to stay in the North of the island in Pollenca. This is a small town about 5kms from the sea, which is at Puerto Pollenca.

Pollenca has lots of restaurants and shops too, obviously on a smaller scale than Palma, but still has that Spanish village feel to it. We normally stay at the Hotel Son Sant Jordi, run by Jaime and his wife. It's a small place but the rooms are good and it has a pool in its internal garden. Breakfast is usually included in the rate. http://www.hotelsonsantjordi.com/en

Who knows if it will be warm enough to swim? It depends on the weather obviously and while the air temperature will feel warm, the water may not.

You can take a boat excursion from Puerto Pollenca, which also has some very good restaurants and hotels. I'd recommend hiring a car to see the island and to allow for a trip to Palma and round the coast.

See the Caves of Drach on the east coast and Valdemossa, Soller and Deia on the opposite side. Andratx and Sant Elm are worth a visit on the left side of the bay of Palma. The monastery at Lluc is worth a visit, not too far from Pollenca.

Although there are several wine growing areas on the island, the most recognised is at Binissalem south of Pollenca. Most of the island is suitable for vines and you might find the odd place selling its own wine as you drive round.

This may be of help:

http://www.digamemallorca.com/activi...-mallorca.html

Here is someplace you may be interested in: Cas Comte is located about halfway between Palma and the town of Alcúdia in the north of the island, in the foothills of the SIerra de Tramuntana (www.hotelcascomte.com). It should be within your budget in late May.

In Palma itself is the Posada Terra Santa Boutique Hotel (www.posadaterrasanta.com) which is slightly more than your budget, but could be worth looking into.

Another good option in Palma is the San Lorenzo Mallorca (www.hotelsanlorenzo.com), a traditional style boutique hotel, well located, and within your budget. Breakfast is included in the rates.

thank you so much for your replies! off to check out those links! :)

I am also looking at hotels or villas for a 5 night mid May trip. (just DH and me) Is it too much to hope for a bathroom door that is not glass, and bathroom walls that go all the way to the ceiling? and a king bed? What do you think about three nights in Palma and two in Pollenca or another area, and we could rent a car for a couple days? We would really like an ocean view that pops...Ideas anyone? Budget about 220E per nt (obviously would be thrilled with less!)

I'm not sure that I'd bother with two bases, when Pollenca to Palma takes only 45 mins or less by car. Palma is an easy day trip from Pollenca and obviously vice versa, but my personal preference is Pollenca.

The hotel we use, mentioned above, does not have glass bathroom doors or short walls and does have large beds, but as we normally stay there I can't comment on the facilities elsewhere. You won't get a sea view however, as it's a little way inland. Puerto Pollenca has nice hotels that are investigating.

For our first and only trip to Majorca about 5 years ago we stayed in Ca'n Reus in Fornalutx. Charming small hotel in lovely small village with cafes and restaurants. We walked to Pollensa? and otherwise travelled everywhere by hire car.
When we got out of our car on arrival there was a beautiful smell in the air . It came from the orange blossoms which were in bloom throughout the valley. This was in May.
I really enjoyed the visit and hotel.

Frances, Pollenca is a heck of a walk from there, maybe 28kms as the crow flies, further following roads and paths? Did you mean that you walked to Soller, maybe 3 or kms?

Yes. That will teach me to post hurriedly from work!
We had a glorious downhill stroll along paths through the countryside and small communities and then we caught the tram to wherever it stops on the coast and had an excellent meal.

It is a huge island with a slow moving beautiful must see coastal route. If you are staying many days, you may want to be in two separate places.. near the main town just 2 nights and the rest up at the more scenic area.

In Palma i love marc fosh restaurants

Fig - our one and only stay on/in Mallorca was about 20 years ago at Puerto Pollenca on a "package tour" with our kids then aged approx 7 and 4. Nice beaches, little coves, and plenty to see and do.

this appears to be the most up to date version of the book of walks that we used:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mallorca-Wal.../dp/1856913880