Sometimes the best holidays aren’t the ones packed with sightseeing and busy itineraries, they’re the ones where you slow down, enjoy your surroundings and simply appreciate being somewhere beautiful. That’s exactly what we found in Puerto Pollensa.
We visited in March, which is quite early in the season for Mallorca. The weather was pleasant, the crowds hadn’t yet arrived and the resort had a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. We booked a great Jet2 deal and stayed at the well known Illa d’Or Hotel, situated in a prime position on the famous Pine Walk.
I must admit, I didn’t know it was well known until I started researching it and discovered the hotel first opened its doors in 1929 and has been a favourite in Mallorca ever since. The hotel has evolved over the years, but it has retained its original charm and you can still spot some of its historic features as you wander around.
Another place I’d never heard of was Pine Walk. If you’ve never heard of it either, imagine a peaceful promenade dotted with pine trees, overlooking the bay with the mountains providing a stunning backdrop. It’s one of those places where you can happily spend hours doing very little at all. It really is beautiful.
Because we were travelling early in the season and weren’t sure how many restaurants would be open, we opted for half board. In the end, we felt it was a great decision. While there were plenty of places open during the day, the area felt much quieter in the evenings at this time of year. That suited us perfectly, as this trip was all about slowing down and relaxing at the hotel.
Breakfast each morning was excellent, with plenty of choice and everything you could possibly need to set you up for the day. The evening meals were mostly very good too, although in the interests of honesty, one steak was so tough that even Paul struggled with it, and that’s saying something! Thankfully, that was very much the exception rather than the rule.
Each evening there was a three course menu to choose from, along with a small buffet station offering salads and extra desserts. One thing that particularly impressed us was the service on arrival. Because our flight landed late, we didn’t reach the hotel until around 9pm and had missed dinner. After dropping our bags, we headed out for a quick drink and assumed we’d just have to make up for it at breakfast the following morning. Instead, when we returned to our room, we found a beautifully prepared cold dinner waiting for us. There was salad, bread, cheese, cold meats and dessert, it was exactly what we needed.
One lunchtime we enjoyed tapas on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the bay. Unsurprisingly it was delicious, but it was surprisingly affordable too. Sitting there with a drink, looking out across the water, it was easy to forget about the gloomy weather we’d left behind at home. Adding to our enjoyment were two beautiful ducks who seemed to have adopted the terrace as their own. They would happily wander from table to table, patiently waiting for the odd crumb to come their way. They certainly knew where the lunchtime crowd was! The terrace was also full of tiny birds darting between the tables and trees, creating a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. It all felt very peaceful.
One unexpected highlight of our stay was the hotel’s spa. It’s not huge, but it’s beautifully designed and incredibly relaxing. We were lucky enough to have it almost entirely to ourselves one afternoon, which made it feel even more special. There’s something rather luxurious about having a spa all to yourself, even if only for an hour or two.
Although Puerto Pollensa was relatively quiet in March, that was actually part of its charm. We enjoyed peaceful walks along the seafront and never felt rushed to do anything. It was easy to see how vibrant the area will become once the main holiday season gets underway, but there was something special about experiencing it before the crowds arrived.
One day we decided to hop on the local bus and visit Pollensa Old Town. The journey was simple and inexpensive, although prepare yourself for just how many people they manage to squeeze onto those buses at times! Standing room only became the norm very quickly. Despite that, the trip was well worth it.
The old town is full of character, with narrow streets, traditional stone buildings and charming squares where life seems to move at a slower pace.
Of course, no visit would be complete without tackling the famous Calvari Steps. The 365 steps climb to a small chapel overlooking the town and surrounding countryside. By the time we reached the top, we’d definitely earned a sit down, but the views made the effort worthwhile. Looking out across the rooftops and towards the mountains, it was easy to understand why so many visitors fall in love with this part of Mallorca.
What we loved most about Puerto Pollensa was its laid back atmosphere. It feels sophisticated without being pretentious and beautiful without needing to show off. Whether we were enjoying breakfast overlooking the sea, wandering along Pine Walk or exploring the old town, everything felt easy and relaxed.
Would we return? Absolutely.
Would we return to the Illa d’Or? Absolutely, if the budget allowed. We were lucky enough to secure a fantastic deal, which was undoubtedly helped by travelling in March. Whether we could justify the price during the height of summer is another question entirely, but we’d certainly be tempted.
We would however love to see Puerto Pollensa later in the season when the resort is a little busier and more of the restaurants and bars are fully open.
For a relaxing escape with stunning scenery, excellent food and a touch of Mallorcan charm, Puerto Pollensa certainly delivered.
Leave a Reply