Mallorca hot spots for summer

Port de Pollença has won the hearts of many, with familiar faces returning here year after year. The portside fishing town and holiday resort offers several draws including its long stretch of sandy beach and a town centre bursting with family-friendly restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlours. Its legendary pedestrianised pine walk really comes to life during the summer months and you’ll see relaxed parents sipping on drinks in the beachside restaurants whilst fondly watching their little ones playing on the sand.

With plenty to do in the surrounding area, watersports and boat trips along the northern coastline towards Cap de Formentor are an absolute must for those keen to get out on the water. With plenty of villas and apartment rentals available, both in complexes and in traditional Mallorcan chalets, there are also a few hotels dotted around the town centre and along its beautiful coastline.

Where to stay
Villas are a wise choice for large groups, families and those who simply enjoy their own space with the added bonus of your own private swimming pool. Whether you’re after a modern mansion with state of the art equipment or prefer an authentic stone finca dotted with quaint wooden shutters, there’s a variety of accommodation to suit all.

Our recommendations
Prestige villas offer a curated selection of villas for those looking for a more intimate, or exclusive holiday experience on this part of the island. Alternatively, the very end of the illustrious pine walk stands the enchanting Illa d’Or Hotel, one of the largest and most reputable hotels along the coastline of Port de Pollença. Not only does this hotel claim picture-perfect sea views and all the facilities of a luxury 4* hotel like a spa, tennis courts and a gym, but its majestic 1930’s façade generates a yesteryear charm. Its terrace is the best place to kick back and relax whilst watching the sun go down.

During recent years, glitzy and glamorous Puerto Portals has benefited from being one of the most heavily invested areas on Mallorca’s terrain. If surrounding yourself with gourmet restaurants, champagne and cocktail bars and designer boutique shops makes you feel at home, this is definitely the place for you. In addition to the prestigious eateries and luxurious watering holes, you’ll find a gorgeous sandy beach adjoining the port. The shores here are blessed with tranquil waters and sport a couple of notoriously lively beach bars, perfectly positioned to ensure its beachgoers remain suitably hydrated! Situated on the island’s southwest coast, you’ll find plenty of activities on offer within a short distance, as well as swanky beach clubs and numerous waterparks. For social butterflies, the marina offers a jam-packed calendar of special events throughout the year, including classic car rallies, ‘Flower Power’ summer parties,  and yogi brunches, not forgetting its popularity for simply post-work ‘aperitivos’. You’ll find affluent visitors here, including several yacht owners nipping ashore from the many superyachts anchored in the bay.

Where to stay
Heavily populated with second homes, apartments and holiday pads, the surrounding area offers a wide range of hotels and luxurious villas, all within a short walking distance to the port. Their prime location means they’re just a stone’s throw away from the marina's numerous amenities and a short stroll to neighbouring village, Portals Nous, offering a further excellent selection of restaurants to choose from.

Our recommendations
The St Regis Mardavall, perched between cliffs and Puerto Portals, is a luxury hideaway retreat. This traditional 5-star resort offers a well-oiled service across all levels. People tend to fall in love with this hotel and its facilities which means it has a loyal following returning year after year. Whilst popular, it feels spacious at all times thanks to the vast grounds, which means that the more affluent visitors get the privacy they want whilst holidaying on the island. Highlights include an in-house Michelin star restaurant, superb spa facilities, an excellent children’s club and a shuttle service to the nearby golf courses of Arabella Golf Son Vida, Son Muntaner, and Son Quint.

Alternatively, the Lindner Hotel Mallorca Portals Nous is a luxurious haven offering a seamless blend of modern comfort, impeccable service, and stunning Mediterranean views. This hotel has an exceptional colonial ambience with a touch of Africa, as well as a wellness, fitness and beauty centre. They have more than a hundred individual rooms and suites, each with a balcony or terrace. Dining options include a restaurant and a coffee shop/café. 2 bars/lounges and a poolside bar are open for drinks.

Just along the coast from prestigious Puerto Portals lies Illetas (or Ses Illetes), a petite paradise nestled in a rocky bay. Comprising three soft sandy beaches, the mesmerising turquoise waters have attracted premium hotel brands over recent years, meaning it can become incredibly popular during summer months amongst families, friends and couples. Whilst there are a few fabulous beach bars, restaurants and boutique shops in the surrounding area, it isn’t yet overdeveloped and retains touches of the island’s rustic charm. Well located between Puerto Portals (10 minutes by taxi) and the city of Palma (10-15 minutes by taxi), you have an excellent selection of activities on offer with the opportunity to snorkel, shop and sightsee, all in a morning’s work. 

Where to stay
With luxurious 4 and 5* hotels welcoming families, couples and groups in need of escape and relaxation, Illetes boasts every amenity you could wish for, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, fully equipped spas and balconies overlooking Mallorca’s south-western Mediterranean waters. Whilst there’s a number of reputable hotel brands here, the area remains predominantly residential, with several villas and apartments available to rent as well as some knockout beach-side properties. This area remains popular during some of Mallorca’s more off-peak months and is very sought after in the summer, so be sure to get your reservations in early!

Our recommendations
Couples looking to retreat somewhere for complete relaxation should visit the contemporary, adults-only Gran Meliá de Mar Hotel. Highlights include the Clarins Spa and the superb views from every hotel room balcony overlooking Mallorca’s south-western Mediterranean waters. The unique modern design and magnificent gardens and pool area create the ultimate tranquil ambience and are the things that make this place stand out from the crowd.

For those looking for something a little lower key and affordable, then the Riu Palace Bonanza Playa Hotel welcomes families, couples and groups of friends looking to get away from the stresses and strains of real life. With all the amenities you could ask for, the hotel has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a spa fully equipped with a sauna, whirlpool, waterbeds and much more. The reasonable rates, outdoor swimming pool and sun loungers overlooking the sea are particular highlights for this hotel.

Port de Sóller is another of Mallorca’s traditional and historic fishing towns with its ancient angling characteristics still firmly intact allowing its visitors an authentic mallorquin experience. Situated at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana, this charming little seaside port sits inside a shimmering horseshoe bay beneath the breathtakingly beautiful Tramuntana mountain range. Accessible directly from Palma on the scenic train connecting to the port’s historic tram, Port de Soller is not only jaw-droppingly beautiful, but well located and within easy reach of the rest of the island. 

Where to stay
Usually with super views of the port and in walking distance of the town, you’ll find a wide choice of accommodation on offer, varying in style and degrees of luxury. From boutique gems to state-of-the-art establishments, there’s something to suit everyone. Clientele ranges from those seeking adventurous outdoor pursuits to chilled out beach bums in need of some well deserved R&R.

Our recommendations
It’s all about the location for Esplendido Hotel, a boutique style hotel with a modern retro twist which is perfectly positioned on the beach promenade in Port de Sóller. Apart from super views of the port and being within easy reach of the beach, restaurants and sights, it offers a nice little touch by including Nespresso coffee machines, beach bags and flip flops in each room.

One of Sóller’s most exciting new addresses, the Jumeirah Port Hotel & Spa is firmly at the top of the list when looking for the most exclusive hotels in the area. Very much a luxury 21st-century hotel, each and every detail has been carefully considered with all the élite amenities a person could ask for, including an infinity pool, an up-to-date fitness centre and spa, top-notch gastronomic restaurants and, of course, panoramic views of the port. Each room has its own private balcony either overlooking the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range or the beautiful horseshoe bay.

Stylish, family friendly and often easy on the wallet, Cala d’Or is one location to keep on your radar. With endless little coves, beaches and resorts to explore within the greater vicinity, (Cala Ferrera, Cala Esmeralda, Cala Serena, Cala Gran & Cala Llonga), you’re spoilt for choice here on which beach to spend your day. In addition to a great selection of beautiful sandy beaches, the area offers a wide variety of activities including watersports, golf and boat trips. Marina Cala d’Or has long attracted yacht owners thanks to its competitive prices against those on Palma’s south coast, but it has also resulted in an influx of luxury hotels, yacht brokerages and restaurants around the area. If holiday vibes are what you’re after with everyone looking to kick back and enjoy some sun, Cala d’Or won’t disappoint. 

Where to stay
Abundant in choice, accommodation here includes everything from boutique luxury adult-only hotels to branded family friendly all-inclusive resorts, as well as quieter, more basic apartments and a number of traditional white-washed Spanish villas to suit a wide variety of preferences and needs.

Our recommendations
If the idea of your perfect holiday in Mallorca consists of staying in a traditional white-washed Spanish villa, then James Villas selection will be on hand to help. They have handpicked a selection of villas in various popular spots in Mallorca, including Cala d'Or, to suit a wide variety of preferences or needs. There are different categories available, from simple and cost effective houses right through to ultimate luxury and unique accommodation.

Alternatively, Hotel Cala D'Or an exclusively adult beachside resort enjoys contemporarily refurbished rooms boasting elegant, unpretentious embellishments, and feature balconies that stretch across pine groves to the cove. Within the premises, guests can indulge in a plethora of amenities including a pool, fitness center, spa with sauna and hot tub, and a restaurant that serves delicious Mediterranean fare while also playing host to live musical performances.