We’ve all seen that side of Spain before. Partying in Madrid until sunrise, salsa dancing with strangers in Seville, and taking midnight shots at Chipitos in Barcelona. A word to the wise: do not order the “Monica Lewinski”. And sure, those are some of the best memories we struggle to remember. But times change. Now, we namely crave refinement, culture, and relaxation. Welcome to the Mallorca travel guide.
A Classy Spain
This is the classy, authentic version of Spain your eighteen-year-old self never knew existed. It’s essentially la vida loca without the foam parties: a grown-up place that trades shooters for fine wine and loud music for great conversations. The city exhales elegance and variety. You want mountains, you got it. Beaches? Loads of ‘em. The most gorgeous sunset you’ve ever seen from a private balcony? Yeah, they’ve got that too—and the perfect Rosé to go with it. Mallorca is all about beauty, culture and, of course, gorging yourself on the amazing food.
Good for:
Families, singles, couples, friends, and anyone who likes the good life.
What to know:
Mallorca is large, and you could easily spend a week there – even if you have a short attention span. To get the essence of Mallorca, for our Mallorca travel guide, we suggest you stay both in the mountains and beach. The mountains of Deia (say hello to Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas who have a home nearby), are serene. The beach towns are lively and will be where to meet people. The two areas could not be more distinctly different, but quintessentially Mallorcan. Mallorca is one of the most elegant if not the most elegant place to vacation in Spain. But you may need a car to thoroughly get around.
Suggested stay: Up to a week.
Where to stay:
Palma
Near Palma, at the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort: no question about it. The setting is lush and green, near the water, and rooms are generously sized, certainly up to the St. Regis standard. The hotel is a bustling resort, equipped with an incredible spa, amazing food, and great service. One of the highlights is the culinary center MIMO, where you can wine-taste. You can also shop for special food items like gin kits, spices, nuts, and chocolates that you can’t get anywhere else. MIMO alone is a reason to stay at the St. Regis. Besides of course knowing that you’re going to get a memorable vacation with the resort amenities available.
Deia
In Deia (which is in the mountainous region of Mallorca), stay at the Belmond La Residencia. This is one of the most spectacularly set Belmonds in the world. The views of the mountains and scenery would make staying in even a tent on the property worth it. Luckily, no tents are necessary. The food is exceptional at the hotel. And although it’s hard to convince yourself to leave the premises for any reason, the hotel is set right in the middle of the small town.
Where to Eat:
Full list of Galavante recommendations below for the Mallorca travel guide.
Spa:
The Spa at Cap Rocat. This could be a full day activity in and of itself. It is one of the largest, most serene spas in the world, and definitely the best on isle. The spa is quipped with a forty-foot-deep saltwater swimming pool. The Cap Rocat wellbeing program offers general beauty treatments, massages, manicures, body scrubs, as well as Aryuvedic treatments. All under the Mallorcan sun.
Shopping:
Suivi (Forum) in Palma. Forum is a local shopping center that focuses on women’s boutique clothing, accessories and perfumes. Goodies are native to Palma de Mallorca, and has been doing so for over forty years.
For designer clothes, Bluebird Two is the way to go. It’s a chic local fashion boutique that carries over forty clothing and accessory brands.
