First impressions are important. When I check into a hotel, employees who appear genuinely happy to see me are both a litmus test and a harbinger of things to come. As a travel writer who has stayed at hundreds of hotels, you’d be surprised how rare a friendly initial greeting is. So that’s why I took special notice on a recent visit to the Zafiro Palace Palmanova in Mallorca, Spain, where I could feel the welcome from the moment I walked in.
My husband and I arrived in the seaside town of Palma Nova at 7 a.m., exhausted after our flight from NYC. It was instantly clear the staff would be the special sauce taking this vacation to the next level. They greeted us with smiles, refreshments, and the news that a room was ready for us even though check in wasn’t officially until 3 pm. And would we mind telling them what time we’d like to schedule our 25-minute massage, included in our room rate? My first thought? I think I’m going to like it here.
All-inclusive or not, you decide
The family behind Zafiro Palace were pioneers in bringing the all-inclusive vacation to Mallorca and they’ve perfected the concept. While many guests, myself included, opt for the ease of the all-inclusive package, your stay is customizable, with half-board and bed-and-breakfast available.
Zafiro Palace: The important details
Rooms
Rooms are spacious, facing the 11 swimming pools, landscaped grounds, and maze of tented walkways. The décor favors a neutral color palette that feels breezy and contemporary. Accents of marble and wood bring natural elements indoors. Floors are high-quality porcelain, cool on bare feet. Cribs are available upon request.
For a luxe experience, Zafiro Club rooms have upscale perks including a stocked mini bar, fresh flowers and wine on arrival, daily in-room treats, and access to pools exclusively for Zafiro Club guests, just to name a few.
My Zafiro Club Junior Suite Penthouse had a king-size bed, sofa bed, and a two-level balcony with a staircase leading to a private Jacuzzi that begged for a moonlight soak.
The Spa
The spa has a sauna, steam room, and lap pool along with treatments including massages, facials, and body wraps.
Restaurants and Buffets
As a foodie, I usually avoid hotel buffets, as I find them generally bland and boring. At Zafiro Palace, the buffet embraces local products and seasonality with fresh fruits, island-grown nuts, local honey, yogurt, and cheese, plus traditional dishes of the Spanish kitchen such as paella swimming with seafood and a tortilla loaded with potatoes and caramelized onions. There was a huge selection of kid-pleasers too, from chicken fingers to pizza, with highchairs and pureed food for toothless tots.
We also dined at the resort’s specialty restaurants each evening, indulging Italian, Japanese, and Spanish cuisine, and enjoyed quality meals with attentive service. Alcohol is included, making it easy to sample the local wine.
The beach
Palma Nova’s string of three public beaches is a five-minute walk from the hotel, with lifeguards and playgrounds nestled in the clean sand. The Mediterranean is often calm as a bathtub.
Entertainment
At around 9 p.m., the nightly family-friendly entertainment begins, with kids participating in magic shows, musical performances, and juggling. Adults get into the act too; one night, my husband was plucked out of the audience to dance the limbo. At 10, a live pianist or harpist performs on the patio under the stars, a dreamy way to end the day.
A paradise for tiny travelers
As a former early childhood educator, little kids and I pair like Fred and Ginger on the dance floor. Luck was on my side in September as many guests were under age five. Unlike school-aged kids, they didn’t need to be back in the classroom. Their savvy parents were taking advantage of shoulder season discounts and sparse crowds. Locals and hotel staff told me that spring is equally quiet.
I expected to see very young guests enjoying amenities such as a supervised kid’s club, playground with a bouncy house, and pirate-themed splash pool. What surprised me was that kids were welcome practically everywhere. They were jumping in the pools (with attentive lifeguards and a supply of toys), dining at the upscale specialty restaurants, and enjoying nightly live entertainment, whether dozing in their strollers or dancing the night away. There are a few spots where kids are not permitted, such as the adult-only saltwater pool, indoor lap pool, and spa.
Things to do on Mallorca
Take a boat ride to hidden coves
We experienced the maritime traditions of the region on llaut, a sturdy fishing boat whose history is intertwined with the island. This 100% electric boat’s almost-flat bottom makes it possible to navigate and moor in very shallow water. We enjoyed a quiet, emission-free sail to swimming coves with crystal-clear water that our skipper Mike shared with us. Let the staff know you’re interested in seeing Mallorca by boat and they’ll handle transfers and details.
See more Palma attractions
I was glad we pushed ourselves to leave the resort’s peaceful cocoon for the 20-minute drive to Mallorca’s capital, Palma. We strolled the Mercado Santa Catalina, eyeing gorgeous produce and charcuterie before sipping a glass of local wine and noshing on tapas at one of the market stalls.
Mallorca is known for its robust café culture featuring delectable pastries; we couldn’t resist eating an ensaimada, a spiral-shaped pastry dusted with a windfall of powdered sugar, at Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo, one of the city’s most venerable eateries.
With its flying buttresses and Gothic rose window, we soaked in the beauty of Palma’s famed cathedral. But for me, the highlight of our visit to Palma was the Palma Aquarium, where we learned about the sea creatures who call the Balearic Islands home. The engaging and knowledgeable staff spoke excellent English.
When to visit Mallorca? Shoulder season shines
Mallorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands. In summer, its stunning beaches are packed. However, in spring and fall, temperatures drop to comfortable levels, beaches are empty, and hotel prices tumble. Most hotels and resorts in Mallorca, including Zafiro Palace Palmanova, close in November and re-open in early spring.
United’s new seasonal nonstop flight from Newark to Palma is attracting American tourists in a big way during spring, summer, and fall.
