Page 148 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

146  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS WHERE T O ST A Y  147
WHERE TO STAY Recommended Hotels

In this book we have chosen
The Balearic Islands are one of Europe’s Until recently, this has meant that much hotels that we believe stand
most popular holiday destinations. Their of the accommodation has been fairly out from the rest. Many of
magnificent climate, fine beaches and formulaic, although a rise in rural tourism these may not adhere to the
close proximity to mainland Europe mean has seen a boom in bright B&Bs away from commonly accepted criteria
of what makes a “good hotel”,
that visitors arrive in thousands between the coast. Mallorca has the best-developed and instead may brim in history,
June and September. Unsurprisingly, hotel facilities, while Formentera has the great service or be the type of
a large number of hotels have been fewest hotels. Visitors should also note that place where location rules over
developed to cater for the demand. many hotels close down during low season. mod cons and designer details.
The very best of these have
The elegant Hotel Formentor (see p149), a one-time favourite of the rich and famous been given a DK Choice symbol.
They generally carry four or five
but can provide a degree in Spain, but along with fincas Some of the Balearic Islands’ stars and range from boutique
of authenticity not found it is possible to find accom­ hotels and apartments are urban boltholes to chic rural
elsewhere. Rooms are mostly modation in places with more block­booked in advance retreats. Do book well ahead,
furnished with period furniture, history, such as convents and by travel agents and tour as for many people a stay at
which accentuates the char­ monasteries. This is mainly true operators. Booking this way these destination hotels is
acter of the place. of Mallorca, where the most can prove much cheaper than the main reason to visit.
Some fincas are very high­ popular hotel of this trying to book directly with the
class, and cater for the wealthy. type is the Santuari hotel. You should DIRECTORY
Others are in ordinary country de Lluc. These also note that some
houses and may be surrounded inexpensive rooms smaller pensiones General
by holiday bungalows and are intended for may not accept Accommodation
apartments. When choosing people who are credit cards. ∑ interhotel.com
to stay in a finca, you should prepared to put ∑ mallorcahotelguide.com
bear in mind that they are up with a certain Booking ∑ visitmallorca.com
typically far from the beaches lack of luxury (it is a ∑ visitmenorca.com
The exclusive Hotel La Residencia (see p148) in Deià, Mallorca and town nightlife. Most of the monastery after all). Accommodation
larger tourist information offices However, they are may be booked in Hotel Chains
Hotels
in advance to find out whether have lists of organizations very popular with writing or via the ∑ amic-hotels-mallorca.com
Most hotels on the Balearic these facilities are included in offering this type of service, visitors and you Pool of the Hotel Hacienda hotels’ websites. ∑ barcelo.com
Islands are situated along the the basic price. but the Internet is a much may have problems Na Xamena (see p151), Ibiza Obviously, you ∑ iberostar.com
coast, around the old town better source of information finding a monastery can also book ∑ insotel.com
centres and harbours, and are Fincas and listings. room during the high season. over the phone, but it is ∑ riu.com
usually within easy reach of always preferable to have a ∑ solmelia.es
the beaches. There are more As elsewhere, rural hotels and Camp Sites Prices piece of paper to confirm your
hotel beds in the Balearics apartments are becoming pop­ reservation. It is relatively easy Fincas
than in the whole of Greece. ular on the Balearic Islands, Those who enjoy camping or The price you pay for a hotel to find accommodation off­ Asociación de Agroturismo
Even so, at the height of the especially with those seeking caravanning will have difficulties room depends on the season. season, even at short notice. Balear
season it can be difficult to quiet, out­of­the­way places. in the Balearics. There are few Although the main holiday If you are visiting during the Avda Gabrìel Alomar
get a room unless you have This type of holiday is offered camp sites and those that do season coincides with the peak season, you should i Villalonga 8A, 2nd floor, Palma.
booked well in advance. The by fincas. These are hotels exist are generally situated in summer months, prices only book well in advance. Tel 971 721 508.
most popular resorts are so that occupy former country unattractive locations. Before peak during the month of Some hotels require a deposit ∑ holidaylettings.co.uk
densely packed that finding mansions or farmhouses, travelling, check the facilities on August. Out of the tour oper­ or even full payment at the time ∑ ruralhotelsmallorca.com
a quiet hotel with a sea view predominantly in the island’s the island you intend to visit. ators’ peak season, rates are of booking, in which case you ∑ rusticbooking.com
is virtually impossible in the interior. Mostly found in Camping on unauthorized sites generally much lower. When should take your receipt with ∑ rusticrent.com
high season. As an alternative, Mallorca, they are not is allowed with some limitations. enquiring about prices, you you. Despite the set price lists, ∑ toprural.com
some historic buildings have necessarily a cheap option You are not allowed to pitch should remember that hotels try haggling over the price, Camp Sites
been turned into luxury hotels, a tent in town, on can quote their tariffs in a variety particularly out of season.
particularly in the major towns. military grounds, of ways. Some are ∑ campingsonline.com
These offer a higher standard tourist sites or within per room; others, per ∑ fedcamping.com
and bags of old­world charm 3 km (2 miles) of an person, per night. Federación Española de
but often at a higher price. official camp site. Always check what is Empresarios de Campings
Many hotel developments included in the price. C/Valderribas 48, Esc 3, 1º C,
are located in remote spots. In many cases, 28007 Madrid.
Most provide a range of Historic Hotels breakfast has to be Tel 914 481 234.
attractions. These include The Balearic Islands paid for separately. ∑ guiacampingfecc.com
evening entertainment as do not have the Many resorts offer an ∑ infocamping.com
well as recreation facilities equivalent of the all­inclusive service, ∑ vayacamping.net
such as tennis courts, swim­ state­run parador in which all meals
ming pools and gymnasiums. hotels that can be and soft drinks are
It is certainly advisable to check Courtyard of the Cap Rocat hotel (see p148), Mallorca found elsewhere included in the price. The charming patio of the Hotel Born (see p148), Palma
Tourists at a cafe in Cova d’en Xoroi, a picturesque cliff on the south coast of Menorca

146-147_EW_Mallorca.indd 146 06/10/17 11:16 am 146-147_EW_Mallorca.indd 147 06/10/17 11:16 am