Luxury hotel holidays to Mallorca and the Balearic Islands

Luxury hotel holidays to Mallorca and the Balearic Islands: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays

An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza feature the best four and five star hotels on each of the islands, including prestigious hillside properties, beach hotels and boutique retreats. Lying around 100 miles from the Spanish mainland in the Mediterranean Sea is Mallorca (otherwise known as Majorca), the largest of the Balearic Islands and an incredibly popular destination for tourists. With sun, sea and sand in abundance, the island's attraction as a beach holiday destination is obvious. However, step away from the beaches and you'll find rugged mountains, picturesque rural villages, hilltop monasteries, extensive underground caves, pretty harbours and much more. The islands of Menorca and Ibiza capture the dynamic landscape of Mallorca but on a more intimate scale. Our tailor-made luxury holidays allow you to discover the very best of the Balearic Islands. In the southwest of Mallorca is Palma, a seaside city with an abundance of historical and cultural sights. Dominating the island's west coast are the Tramuntana mountains, where pretty villages sit amidst olive terraces, terraced farmland clings to steep slopes and rugged cliffs drop away to the sparkling sea. In eastern Mallorca is a smaller mountain range which gives way to sand dunes and remote beaches, whilst the unspoilt scenery of the south includes nature reserves, secluded coves and charming fishing villages. The centre of the island is home to a fertile plain, an area with ancient windmills, vineyards and sleepy market towns which offer a glimpse into Mallorca's rural traditions. With a number of interesting towns and villages, stunning beaches and a great variety in the natural scenery, the Balearics are outstanding holiday destinations with plenty of opportunities for activities as well as seaside relaxation. Many of the popular tourist resorts are in the north and west of Mallorca, but there are many places to discover in other parts of the island. The varied terrain provides excellent opportunities for cycling and hiking, with numerous trails which are suited to walkers of all ages and fitness levels. Cuitadella, in Menorca, has an enchanting old town and archaeological sites, while Mahon, the island's capital, is one of the Mediterranean's most picturesque cities. Well-known for its appeal with tourists, Ibiza is also home to a wealth of tranquil coves, lush forests, and small villages which encapsulate the Balearics' laid-back lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is easily the biggest misconception we come across with Mallorca, and it is worth addressing head-on, because the island most British travellers picture — high-rise resorts, all-inclusive hotels, crowded beaches — occupies a relatively small footprint on the coast, largely in the north and west. Step away from those resort strips and Mallorca is a genuinely sophisticated destination: rugged mountains, historic hilltop villages, hidden coves, ancient monasteries and a hotel scene that includes some of the most individual boutique properties in the Mediterranean. The Belmond La Residencia in the artists' village of Deià, a former manor house set in citrus groves below the Tramuntana peaks, is as elegant as anything in Tuscany or Provence. Castell Son Claret, a nineteenth-century castle turned Leading Hotel of the World with a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, and Son Brull, a Relais & Châteaux property built around a former monastery near Pollénsa, both offer the kind of quiet, design-led luxury that has nothing to do with the package-holiday image. Palma itself, meanwhile, is an underrated small city, with a Gothic cathedral overlooking the harbour, tenth-century Arab baths and an old town of genuine character. A tailor-made holiday lets you build an itinerary entirely around these places — a boutique hillside hotel near Deià, a night or two in Palma, perhaps a coastal finish near a quieter beach such as Es Trenc — while avoiding the resorts altogether. For a client who has written the island off because of its reputation, this is often one of the most pleasant surprises we can offer: genuinely excellent quality, close to home, at a fraction of the flight time of somewhere like the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean.

The three islands share a Mediterranean climate and a similar Spanish-Balearic culture, but their characters are distinct enough that the choice usually comes down quickly once a client understands the differences. Mallorca is the largest and most varied of the three, with the dramatic Tramuntana mountain range along its west coast, a genuine city in Palma, and enough range of scenery and hotels to fill a week or two on its own without repetition; it suits clients who want variety within a single destination, from mountain villages to coastal resorts to golf. Menorca is smaller, quieter and less developed, with an unhurried, almost old-fashioned charm: the historic city of Mahón and the enchanting old town of Ciutadella both have real character, the beaches at Binibequer and Cala'n Porter are excellent, and the hiking trails around Mount Toro give a genuine sense of rural island life; it suits clients who want a slower, more intimate holiday and are happy with a smaller choice of hotels, of which the boutique farmhouse Torralbenc is our standout recommendation. Ibiza has moved a long way from its clubbing-only reputation and now offers a genuinely appealing mix of bohemian villages, clear-water beaches such as Benirrás, and boutique hotels like Hacienda Na Xamena, a striking cliff-top property in the north of the island, along with easy boat access to the beaches and dunes of neighbouring Formentera; it suits clients who want a fashionable, design-conscious edge to their holiday alongside the beaches. Combining two of the three in a single trip is entirely possible and something we arrange regularly, particularly Mallorca with a few days added in Menorca or Ibiza.

The Tramuntana range, a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape running the length of Mallorca's west coast, is the single biggest reason the island rewards a closer look than its reputation suggests, and for many of our clients it becomes the highlight of the whole trip. The mountains drop dramatically to the sea, and the narrow, winding coast road that threads between them and the water passes through a string of villages that feel more like the Amalfi Coast or the Cinque Terre than anything most people associate with Mallorca. Deià, an old artists' colony of golden stone houses tumbling down a hillside towards the sea, is the most celebrated of these and the home of the Belmond La Residencia; Valldemossa, a little further along, has a Carthusian monastery once home to Chopin and George Sand and some of the prettiest streets on the island; and Fornalutx, tucked into a valley of citrus and olive terraces, is frequently named among the most beautiful villages in Spain. The terraced farmland that climbs the slopes on either side of these villages has been cultivated for centuries and gives the whole region an unusually settled, cared-for feel. It is also excellent walking country, with trails suited to everyone from serious hikers to those who simply want a gentle stroll between a village and a viewpoint, and hillside hotels such as Son Brull near Pollénsa and the adults-only Hoposa Costa d'Or make comfortable, characterful bases from which to explore. A short stay here, combined with time on the coast or in Palma, gives a version of Mallorca that bears almost no resemblance to the island's package-holiday image.

Mallorca's food scene has developed considerably in recent years and now includes some genuinely serious dining, which comes as a surprise to clients who associate the island purely with beach-bar tapas. Castell Son Claret, the nineteenth-century castle hotel near Es Capdellà, holds a two-Michelin-starred restaurant within its grounds, putting it among the most decorated dining addresses anywhere in Spain, while the Hotel Convent de la Missio, a boutique property occupying a seventeenth-century monastery in Palma's old town, has its own Michelin-starred kitchen serving modern Mallorcan cooking in a striking, design-led setting. Beyond the starred restaurants, the island's traditional cuisine is well worth exploring in its own right: sobrasada, a soft, paprika-spiced cured sausage, and ensaimada, a delicate coiled pastry, are both distinctively Mallorcan and found nowhere else in quite the same form; arròs brut, a saffron-scented rice cooked with meat and vegetables, and caldereta de llagosta, a rich lobster stew traditionally associated with the fishing village of Cala Fornells, are among the dishes worth seeking out at a proper local restaurant rather than a resort menu. The island also produces its own wines, particularly around Binissalem in the central plain, where the grape harvest is celebrated each September, and the countryside is dotted with almond and olive groves that supply much of the local cooking. For clients with a genuine interest in food, we can build an itinerary around this side of the island specifically, pairing a stay at one of the food-focused hotels with visits to local producers and, where availability allows, a table at one of the Michelin restaurants.

Timing is the single most effective way to have a completely different experience of Mallorca from the one most people imagine, and it is one of the first things we discuss with clients booking a tailor-made holiday here. High summer, from mid-June to early September, is when the island is at its busiest and hottest, with average temperatures around twenty-five degrees and the coastal resorts running at full capacity; this is worth avoiding if crowds are a concern. Spring, from April through June, and autumn, from September into October, are genuinely excellent alternatives: temperatures remain pleasant, the sea stays warm well into autumn, the Tramuntana villages and walking trails are far quieter, and the light in the mountains is often at its most beautiful. Late April and May also bring the Pollença wine fair and a run of spring festivals, while September sees the grape harvest celebrations at Binissalem and considerably fewer visitors than a month earlier. Winter is quieter still and mild rather than cold, making it a good season for golf, with several excellent courses around Palma, or simply for exploring Palma's old town and museums without the summer crowds, though some rural hotels close for part of the season and this needs checking when planning. Geography helps too: even in peak season, the resort areas of the north and west see the overwhelming majority of visitors, while the south of the island, with its nature reserves and quieter coves such as Es Trenc, and the interior's market towns and vineyards, remain comparatively undiscovered. Palma is well served by direct flights from the UK year-round, including with British Airways, so timing rather than accessibility is the real lever for a quieter version of the island.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

● Single centre or multi-centre
● Long or short stays
● Combine a number of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements, combining flights, hire-car and private transfers

Our special interest holidays to Mallorca and the

● Food and wine holidays
● Golf holidays
● Tennis holidays
● Private guided sightseeing
● Spa holidays
● Family holidays
● Walking holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Highlights of Mallorca and the Balearic Islands

Mallorca: Palma de Mallorca, home to attractions such as the Gothic La Seu Cathedral which sits overlooking the harbour, 10th century Arab baths and authentic old streets. The pretty villages including Deià, Valldemossa and Fornalutx which you will encounter if you drive along the winding roads which run along the western coast, set between mountains and sea. Appealing coastal resorts including Alcúdia, Puerto Pollensa and Puerto de Soller. Hilltop sanctuaries which are dotted throughout the island, including Lluc Monastery in the Tramuntana mountains and the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador in the south east of the island. Traditional fishing villages such as Cala Figuera. Beautiful beaches including Es Trenc, Es Carbo and Cala Barques. The Caves of Drach near Porto Christo. Formentor, the peninsula in the northeast of the island which is home to a famous lighthouse in a stunning location. Natural parks including S'Albufera wetlands near Alcúdia, Llevant Peninsula nature reserve in the north east and the Cabrera archipelago off the southern coast of Mallorca.
Ibiza: The dark sands and rocky cliffs of Cala Boix. The bohemian market at the bottom of the hills around San Carles. Clear-water beaches including Benirras and Cala Saladas. Boat trips to neighbouring Formentera to see the windmills and cycle or hike across the hills.
Menorca: The hiking trails around Mount Toro. Cultural and historic cities including Mahon and the old town of Cuitadella. Caves and gorges at the Cales Coves. Sandy beaches at Binibequer and Cala'n Porter in the south, and Punta Prima to the east, amongst many others. The ruined castle of Santa Àgueda in the north of the island.
With a number of interesting towns and villages, stunning beaches and a great variety in the natural scenery, the Balearic Islands are outstanding holiday destinations with plenty of opportunities for walking and cycling as well as seaside relaxation.

Festivals in Mallorca and the Balearic Islands

January: Festival of Palma de Mallorca's patron saint, March/April: Holy week celebrations, April: Pollença wine fair, May: Palma International Boat Show, May: Ibiza International Film Festival, April/May: Spring fairs, June: Midsummer's eve festivals, July: Festival of the patron saint of fishermen, July: International Folklore Festival (Soller), June: Festival of Sant Joan (Ibiza, Menorca), July: Sant Martí horse festival (Es Mercadal, Menorca), August: Summer Music festival (Menorca), August: Earth Festival (Ibiza), September: Festival of King Jaume I, September: Grape harvest celebrations (Binissalem), October: Alcudia agricultural fair, November: Caimari olive fair (Tramuntana mountains), December: Christmas markets.

Gastronomy of the Balearic Islands

Traditional cuisine in the Balearic Islands is rich and varied, making excellent use of the abundant local ingredients including pork, fish and vegetables as well as olive oil and lard. Olives, almonds and citrus fruit are grown across the island, as are the grapes which are used to produce a selection of white, rosé and red wines. Local specialities in the Balearics include ‘Sobrasada’ (a type of sausage), ‘Arros Brut’ (saffron rice cooked with meat and vegetables), ‘Frit mallorqui’ (fried offal with potatoes and vegetables) and ‘Ensaimada’ (a sweet bun). Local desserts are made with almonds or nougat, and seafood dishes, including ‘Caldereta de Ilagosta’ (lobster stew), are a staple. Speciality spirits from Menorca include Maó Gin, made from juniper berries, and Port. The Hierbas Ibicencas, and Frígola in Ibiza are aromatic drinks built around aniseed and thyme respectively.

Climate of the Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands have a typical Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild and stormy winters. There is some variation across Mallorca as the Tramuntana Mountains protect the southwest of the island. Average summer temperatures are around 25 degrees, when seas are also warm and a cooling breeze prevents excessive heat. Spring and autumn are great seasons to visit as temperatures are pleasant but there are fewer tourists, although nights can be cold and there is some rainfall. Average temperatures in winter are around 10 degrees with occasional showers and snow falling in the mountains.

Balearic Islands travel information

The Balearic Islands are reached very easily from the UK by air.

By air

Palma de Mallorca is served by daily flights from the UK with British Airways as well as numerous flights with low-cost airlines from both the UK and mainland Spain. Menorca and Ibiza are served by various airlines including British Airways.

By ferry

Mallorca and the Balearic Islands can be reached by ferry from either Valencia or Barcelona, with regular services.

Car hire

A hire-car is highly recommended if you wish to get out and explore the islands, as many of the highlights are in rural locations. There are many scenic drives but beware of windy mountain roads.

Two centre recommendations

Soak up the culture of Palma for a few days then continue your luxury Mallorcan holiday in an exclusive resort hotel, either by the coast or in the countryside.

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

Our special interest holidays to Mallorca and the

● Food and wine holidays
● Golf holidays
● Tennis holidays
● Private guided sightseeing
● Spa holidays
● Family holidays
● Walking holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday

Call us on 01392 441245

Here you will find a map of Mallorca and the Balearics showing the locations of the hotels that we offer

Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be

Our special interest holidays to Mallorca and the

● Food and wine holidays
● Golf holidays
● Tennis holidays
● Private guided sightseeing
● Spa holidays
● Family holidays
● Walking holidays

Included in all our holidays

● Concierge service
● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday