offerendum

Hi,

itīs time for a new trip report about a few days on Mallorca. I will first start with the flight, followed by the different hotels and restaurants. After it I will introduce you to some sights on the island.

Hotels:
Belmond La Residencia
Castillio Son Vida
Cap Rocat
St. Regis Mardavall

Restaurants:
Es Raco d'es Teix
El Olivo
Es Vi
La Fortaleza
Simply Fosh
Aqua
Es Vent
Es Fum

FlyingDoctorwu

Can't wait for this one.. considering Cap Rocat....

FDW

offerendum

My flight left at 5:50 pm so it was a short night. After I arrived at the Airport I spotted a long queue in front of the check-in. Fortunally I could use the priority check-in which was relative empty. Security was fast this time.
Normally I use the "exclusive" Hugo Junkers Lounge, but it opend at 5:30. So I decided to use the "Exclusiver Wartebereich". Itīs a separated area where you find some Drinks and newspapers. Not a Lounge, but better than nothing. Unfortunally drinks werenīt ready at this time.

Some impressions:





Flights to Mallorca are often „funny“ because you see „interesting“ people, including drunk bachelor-parties etc. This time there was a strange women in terrible clothings with „very blond“ hairs. Even for a „Ruhrpottassi“ this was a little bit too much. Beside her stood a guy with a shirt „Crew“. I found out she is a former pornstar and „sings“ and strips now at the Oberbayern. OK, not only the cap with „Mallorca Style“ on it wasnīt my style....



Leg room on the A 320 XL-seat was OK, snack was a Laugenbrezel or a bun.


Flight was in tim, of course we got a bus-gate at PMI, lagguage arrived bevore me at the carousel.

offerendum

You are not the only one. Iīll do my best to proceed

offerendum

I rented a car at Sixt. I booked a BMW 1er/ Audi A3 which was 320 € for 9 days. They tried to sell me a BMW 4er cabriolet for „only 79,00 € more per day, more than it would had cost if I had booked it straight from the beginning. So they looking for the stupid... Of course I declined, Iīm anyway not a big fan of cars with missing roof.
So I got a relative new A3 TDI with navigation system, which was fine.

offerendum

My first hotel was the Belmond La Residencia. Itīs located in the middle of Deia, an charming village on the north-west coast of Mallorca. Itīs build around 2 old manor houses and has 67 rooms.

I booked the hotel with Bellini Club what got me the possibility of an upgrade and a 90 USD credit. It was a „super saver rate“, which was „only“ 778,00 € for a Superior Junior Suite. In summer itīs much more expensive.

When I arrived I was greeted soon and escorted to the reception. Check-in was relative fast and I was shown the property. Itīs really a beautiful resort with lush gardens and houses in classical Mallorcian style. I got an upgrad to a Deluxe Junior Suite on the „3rd floor“. The price difference is around 400,00 € per night, so a „nice“ price difference.

When I arrived at the suite I had 3 feelings: 1. nice terrace with a great view, 2. nice furnished but small room, 3. wow, thatīs really a nice bathroom! Your reach the Deluxe Junior suites (they have 6) over a open-air way.


Each suite has a name (my was L’Ofre, a mountain on Mallorca).


You have to walk up some steps and you stay on a nice terrace with 2 sun-chairs and a dining table.



The view was really nice, I could see Deia and the ocean.




The room itself was relative small but nicely furnished. A wooden four poster bed with a great matress, a seating group, a fireplace and a desk.








While everything was nice I had some minor issues. Over the door was a small water damage (canīt really see it on the picture), the television was a cheap no name HD-ready version. The windows had been cleaned more accurate. Especially in a 4 figure room itīs not the way I like it.




The bathroom was a real highlight. It was hughe with a dressing area, 2 seperate basins, a good sized tub, a big shower (only thing I missed was a hand-held) and a seperated toilet with bidet. You canīt really say anything against this bathroom, itīs like it should be. The cosmetics were a mix of Molton Brown, Bulgari and Penhaligons.







The hotel has 2 outdoop pools, which were both heated and pleasant to swim. The main pool is also the family pool


the „upper pool“ is adult only.


They have also a attractive indoor pool


and an outdoor whirlpool connected to the SPA.


I didnīt use the fitness room, but I found it rather iviting. It had a sterile look.



I had dinner at El Olivo, which is in an old oilmill. I will write a seperate review. At night I had a few issues, as it wasnīt really quite in the room. I always heared splashing of water or something like that. So if you have a light sleep, itīs not so great. The view at night was priceless.


Breakfast next morning was served in a special breakfast-room, you could sit outside. They had many meat dishes, not so great as a pescarian. Of course you could order warm dishes, quality was pretty good. I wasnīt too impressed, but at the end it tourned out to be the best breakfast on my trip. But this doesnīt mean a lot....







Check out was fast, the bill correct.
Conclusion: Itīs without doubt a beautiful hotel with good service, but I found it too expensive for what I got. 500,00 € per night had been enough in my eyes, especially in the off-season.

offerendum

On my first day I had Lunch at Es Raco d’es Teix, the restaurant of Josef Sauerschell. It has 1 Michelin star for many years.
The restaurant itself is in an old building, I took a place on the terrace with a nice view over Deia.


At Lunch-time the restaurant offers a 3 course menu for 37,00 €, which is very good value. You pay 3,00 € for the cover.
I started with a non-alcoholic cocktail which was reasonable priced with 8,00 €.


After bread and a few treats (no photo, sorry)


I got my starter. Mediterranean fish soup with hern crouton.


I must say, it was delicious, one of the best fish soups I ever had.
Next course was skate with botifarron and capers.


The fish was perfectly done and the dish very harmonious. Simply good.
Dessert was a nice cake with strawberries


and a little bit of strudel.


Service was friendly and natural. I woudnīt call it polished, but I say this in a positive way.

I really enjoyed my lunch, as it was good food. Sauerschell cooks down-to-earth on a high level. I can recommend it without restrictions. My bill was 55,00 € with 1 bottle of water (7,00 €).

offerendum

On the evening I had dinner at El Olivio. Itīs located in the historic oilmill, itīs nicely done. Service was good. You can choose a la carte ot take degustacion menus. All prices on the menu are without vat (I added it), cover charge is 7,70 €. 5 course degustation was 110,00 €, 7 courses 126,50 €.

I started with a non-alcoholic cocktail (11,00 €), which was great. I took another one later.


Amuse Buche was a strudel with a soup which was solid.


As starter I choosed a wild sea bass carpaccio with seaweed, black garlic and La Residencia olive oil (28,60 €).


It was a good dish. As main course I had monkfish filet sautčd with citrus fruits, „Molinera“ sauce qand baby carrots (36,30 €).


The monkfish wasnīt prepared very well, it was undercooked (I like it relative raw, but this one was not ready). Over all not a great dish.
As dessert I took a chocolate cake filled with white choclate and vanilla ice-cream (aoround 13,00 €).



The core wasnīt smelted completely. It wasnīt bad, but far from perfect. Mediocre I would say. At th end came some petit fours.


In the end the bill came around 120,00 € with 1 bottle of water, which was way too much. The dinner was worth perhaps 70,00 €. If I think I could have eaten 6 courses at Sauerschell for this price which is a complete other world, itīs a fortiori too expensive. You get solid food, but nothing great. Itīs the same as with the hotel itself, itīs simply totally overpriced. If I consider value I canīt recommend El Olivo.

Bretteee

LOL only 778 Euros???

Wow what a bargain.

In the early 1960s my parents took me to Mallorca in the winter. Too cold for swimming and there were no heated pools.

Flew on an Iberia Convair from Barcelona.

We drove all over the island with a French couple we met who made me roar with laughter to these small villages.

Your report brought back memories.

offerendum

Yeah, really.... Nice I could bring back some memories, will later post something about the sights on the Island.

offerendum

My second hotel was Castillo Son Vida which is part of Luxury Collection. I wanted to stay at this hotel as I found it interesting. Itīs an old castle and was transformed to a hotel in the 60s. With a best rate claim it wasnīt really expensive, a Grand Deluxe room came on 240,00 € per night (single use). A Classic Suite would have been 480,00 € (also with a claim), but I didnīt found it really attractive and the suites doesnīt have a view. The hotel is located in a golf-village near the Sheraton golf resort.
Outside view:


When I arrived I was quickly greated, the desk-staff speaks German as may Germans use the hotel. I got an orange juice a welcome drink and the procedure went fast. For dinner I was recommended Es Vent (seperate review), the hotels tapas restaurant. SPG-members get 10% discount. I was shown the public spaces, which are sometimes unique and sometimes a little bit 60s like with shops in the basement and a stairs with a golden handrail. You find a lot of art, canons and even an armor.










View of the main building with the „better“ rooms.


The room was good sized for a room (they claim 41 – 50 sqm) and was furnished in a classical style with free standing desk, a good bed and a recamiere.






From the balcony you had a nice view over Palma.
[url=https://flic.kr/p/FSSgtg]



The bathroom was pretty good with a tub, 2 basins, walk in shower and seperated toilet and bidet.






The hotel had also 2 outdoor pools with nice views which were not heated.




Kids club:


The indoor pool was solid, the water in the „hot tub“ was colder than the one in the pool. In this state it was useless.



The gym was good for my needs.




Breakfast was served in the main restaurant and was OK. I wasnīt too impressed by the quality, it was all pretty standard and nothing special. Cakes were nice.




If you stay her be aware itīs a golf hotel and when I stayed many eldery people were here. Itīs a special kind of crowd, not mandatory mine. On example: A man and his wife stay (Austrians) in front of the buffet. She: „Hab kaan Lust (have no desire)“. He: „Ess doch waaas (eat something)“ She: „Naa, icch ess nix (no, I donīt eat anything)“. They both leave the buffet. Must I say any more.....
At check-out I had to claim the discount. Otherwise it was effective, but not overly cordial.
Over all you canīt say against the hotel. You have a nice view, the rooms doesnīt miss anything, the service is friendly and you have outdoor and indoor pools. The price I paid was adequate. So Iīm not dissatisfied with my stay, but I think there are other options on the island which fits my needs better.

offerendum

I took dinner at Es Vi. Itīs a kind of tapas bar with traditional tables and some high tables. Sometimes wine casks were used as tables. One wall is covered with vine. The cover fee was 1,70 €.


Amuse Bouche was some tomato with mozzarella.


I took a fruit cocktail „super-vitamin“ (10,00 €) which was pretty good.


First course was ceviche of tuna and monkfis with Majorcan almonds and sweet potato chips (20,00 €).



It was very spicy. It was really not bad, but it wasnīt 100% my case.
Main course was monkfish and mussels pot with vegetable pears (20,00 €).


When it came I thought: How cute, when Iīm grown I will be a main course. It was really small, but tasted good.
As dessert I took „Island flavours“ - Apricot jam from Porreres, sobrasada biscuit, ice-cream of Majorcan cheese and almond crunchy


It was pretty good.
Service was a little bit chaotic, but friendly. The bill came before discount on 67,75 €.


The food wasnīt bad, the portions more on the small side. Nothing to remember for years, but a solid meal.

offerendum

After dinner I went to the bar to take my SPG welcome-drink. I took a virgin colade which was pretty good (would have been 10,00 €).

[/url]IMG_0127 by Hello Friends, auf Flickr

Also I took some homemade ice-cream (3 scoops 10,00 €), which was fine.

offerendum

OK, many people seems to be waiting for a review of Cap Rocat, so I will do my best.....

Cap Rocat was the hotel I was most excited about in advance. Judging from pictures itīs something really special. I booked it via Der Tour (a German tour operator) as the price for a Cap Rocat Suite per night was 440,00 € inclusive tax at Der Tour and around 560,00 € directly via their website.
When I arrived at the gate the guard wasnīt able to find my reservation. Bingo, thatīs a great start. After 5 minutes of searching and a call at reception I was allowed to drive to reception.
The way to the main building is really impressive. Itīs a long way with high walls at the side. At night itīs even more impressive, when they illuminate it with torches.


The main entrance is a gate with towers and a little bridge. Really impressive.




I was greated by a very nice guy who took my papers and showed me a table at the courtyard, which is also the bar. I got some tea as welcome-drink.


After it I was greated by the guest-relation manager. I think I was the only single-traveler at the property, children are not allowed. Itīs not only a question of focus, the hotel is simply not „child-safe“. After check-in was finished I was shown the property with a golf cart. It has over 2 kilometers of coast line. As many will know itīs a fort from the 19th century and was in military use until the 1990s. Itīs located in a marine and nature reserve.
The ways and public spaces are all very impressive in my eyes. I think you love this hotel or hate it, it wonīt be much in the middel. Here are some impressions from the property:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/GLewE3]





























Nature walk:









My Cap Rocat suite was in the 20th row (number 24). The way to the suite:
[url=https://flic.kr/p/FSVzYY]



It had 3 terraces, one with a dining table, one with 2 sun-chairs (the old shooting battery) and one on the roof with a sun-bed. From the roof you had a view to the ocean.










As the terraces are really nice I must say, that the 2 lower ones are not 100 % private. You are relative near to your neighbors. If privaty is really important for you, you should take suite del mar, a sentinel or El Cabo. But they come with double prices while the rooms doesnīt seem to be much bigger, but you get private pools.
The living room was good sized with a sofa and a four poster bed. I wasnīt too happy with the sofa, as it was a roll-away. First it doesnīt look to pretty with wheels under it, it was also always moving when you sit down. Reminded me on Ikea.





The bathroom was big enough with a free standing tub (plastic, donīt sit on it), a shower, dressing area, 2 sinks and a seperated toilet + bidet.






On the first view it was clean but once I searched my contact lense on the floor. I had a lot of dirt on my hand, the tiles werenīt definitively not wet-cleaned for a while. Never less a nice thank you for my tip.


What I didnīt like was, that the curtain in front of the entrance door didnīt close completely. Not what I like, this problem was the same at all suites as far as I could see. I was able to „change“ the arrangement a little bit, so it closed more or less completely.....


The hotel is one of the few on the island which has a direct beach access. Itīs some raised sand, to the water you have to climb over a slippery ladder. Ocean was around 16 degree, so not really nice for swimming.





I snorkeled a little bit in my wet-suit. Sight during my first „trip“ was mediocre, during my second trip it was better.
First trip:



Second trip:










The infinity pool is not heated, but I found the water quite warm (perhaps because I came from the ocean). Itīs really a nice one and very special again.




I didnīt visit the gym or game room, sorry.
Breakfast is served via room-service, you can choose from a selection of items. I found it more than enough, on the second day I ordered much less than on the first.
First day breakfast:




Second day breakfast:




About the restaurant I will write a seperate review.
I was really sorry to check out as I liked the hotel a lot. Service was great, the hotel unique. I really recommend it!

offerendum

My dinner at La Fortaleza was a nice one. You could choose between one 5 course (80,00 €) and one 7 course (90,00 €) menu. As I told them I donīt eat meat they made me a special menu, so they changed the dishes from meat to fish. It all tasted good, was creative and was nicely presented. Service was attentive and friendly.








A kind of fondue:


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Over all a nice dinner. Perhaps not Michelin-star level, but near the mark. Would eat here again every time.