Majorca Hotel

Palma, the capital of Mallorca, is the perfect mix of seaside and city, and the ideal place for a weekend away. Mum of two Hannah Britt took her daughters – and they didn’t want to leave

Palma’s cobbled backstreets provided much needed shade as we went on the hunt for ice cream. It was 10am and the summer sun was already at boiling point as we meandered around the beautiful old town. My young daughters and I ducked into the Convent de Santa Clara to cool off.

Home to cloistered nuns, it’s a brilliant spot for children as you can ring a bell for cake. Once dung, a nun, hidden behind a traditional revolving wooden turnstile known as a torno, asks for your order, offering traditional handmade cakes, biscuits, and pastries.

Baked goods in small fists, we thanks the nuns, left and made our way to Palma Cathedral, also known as La Seu, a massive Gothic Roman Catholic landmark located right on the sea.

Not a quick project, construction on the cathedral started in 1229 after King James I conquered the island, and it was finished in 1601.

A short queue allows you inside, which is just as impressive as its imposing exterior. Famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí worked on interior restorations starting in 1904, adding a unique crown-of-thorns canopy over the altar.

But with the call of ice cream still beckoning, it was time to go. Luckily for us, Artello Gelato was just around the corner, a popular artisan ice cream shop rated five stars on Tripadvisor.

I chose pistachio, as did my two year old, while my six year old went for salted caramel. A blissful five minutes followed as we devoured what I must agree is the best ice cream in town. Careful not to waste a drop we walked over to Placa Court, an historic public square famous for its 17th-century town hall and a massive 600-year-old olive tree.

And what a tree indeed. Swirled and gnarled like something out of a story book, it’s a symbol of peace for Palma and around 7m in circumference.

Visitors often look closely at the twisted bark to spot natural formations that resemble faces, including a distinct feature known locally as the Orella de Mallorca (the Ear of Mallorca). That looks like you, mummy, said my six year old. I wasn’t sure whether to be proud or deeply offended.

Laughing, I dipped us inside the town hall, which houses a permanent display of giant festival folklore figures known locally as gegants (giants) or large festival dolls. These over-four-meter-tall mannequins are not everyday puppets; they are heavy, hollow-framed figures worn by dancers, paraded through the streets during major city celebrations, such as the Festa de Sant Sebastià (Palma’s patron saint festival in January) and Corpus Christi.

When not on duty, however, they guard the grand entrance hall to the town hall. Can I have one, asked my six year old, as I led her swiftly away.

With the midday sun now high in the sky, it was time to retreat to our hotel. We were staying a short taxi ride away at the Zafiro Palace Palmanova, a five star want-for-nothing complex ideally situated, as the name suggests, in nearby Palmanova. Set between Palma and along the coast from Magaluf, the area manages to bridge the gap between lively and tranquil – and the Zafiro Palace is the jewel in its crown.

The hotel’s back gate leads to the clean, sandy beach in minutes, lined with bars, cafes and ice cream shops. Our favourite was the breezy Turtle Beach, which made a perfect Aperol spritz. But once inside the complex, it’s hard to muster the will to leave.

Rooms are immaculate and chicly decorated, all with balconies and some with hot tubs. We were lucky enough to have a swim-up suite, meaning we could roll out of bed and into the water at a moment’s notice. Two large kids pools and several main pools lay close by however, tantalisingly beckoning us in.

When hungry, food was sublime, with plenty on offer for even the fussiest little ones. The best flat white was to be found in the bar. As I sat that evening watching the girls dance at the kids’ disco, I had already plotted our return.

*Nightly rates at Zafiro Palace Palmanova start from €438 per night with All Inclusive Redefined ®

*Hannah and her family went on a 2-hour private walking tour, available on Tripadvisor

Mum of two Hannah Britt took her daughters to Mallorca by herself this summer – and found this want-for-nothing all-inclusive to be a suitable co-parent

“You’re mad,” said my partner John when I mooted the idea of taking the girls to Mallorca without him. But with the six weeks of the summer holidays stretching ahead of me, I decided to ignore him and spend a long weekend abroad with my two daughters, aged six and two. And I’m so glad I did.

When your partner is otherwise engaged (read: work) choosing the right hotel is much like choosing a temporary replacement. This summer, my right hand man was the five star Zafiro Palace Palmanova. And the want-for-nothing all-inclusive turned out to be an excellent co-parent.

FOOD FOR ALL

One of the brilliant things about an all-inclusive hotel is that it takes all the guesswork out of mealtimes. Will they eat anything? What will they eat? Will the toddler tip her entire bowl on the floor and ask for more? (Yes – sorry Zafiro).

The food at Zafiro Palace Palmanova was brilliant. A large main buffet restaurant (The Market) provided endless, ever-changing choice from fresh seafood and local dishes like paella, to more child-friendly options like pasta and pizza. The salad selection was delicious – and drinks were premium, and incredibly well made. The best coffee is to be found in the bar, which opens at 9am – thank me later.

Elsewhere, a la carte options (Mediterranean El Olivo, Italian El Portico and Japanese Tastes) provide upmarket eateries for something a little more special. We loved The Veranda too, which served food at more irregular times, meaning there was a meal to be had whenever anyone was hungry.

FUN, FUN, FUN

There is so much to do for children on-site, taking any stress out of activity planning for the day. A dedicated kids’ club team put on everything from pool games to foam parties to ensure there’s never a dull moment.

A large kids’ pool sits tucked away to the back of the site, with a huge inflatable bounce slide and a mixture of slides to occupy them for hours. Next to it, a bouncy castle, large trampoline and play area delighted my children too – particularly in the evening, when the sun was less ferocious.

Also in the evening, a daily kids’ disco gets children singing and dancing, while their grown ups watch on adoringly with a well-earned glass of wine.

POOL TIME

In the middle of the hotel complex lie the main pools, many of which welcome children – although some are adults-only. A swim-up bar in the main pool makes smoothies, milkshakes and virgin cocktails for little ones, and most days there is a running mat brought onto the water for children to run/dance/roll along, before splashing into the pool at the end.

KIDS’ CLUB

Children who attend kids’ club during the day are given a medal at the kids disco in the evening, which is a brilliant tactic for drawing them in. Suitable from ages four to teens, the cute little house, set next to the kids’ pool, puts on activities like bracelet making and T-shirt painting.

BEAUTIFUL ROOMS

There are lots of room options to choose from at Zafiro Palace Palmanova, from swim-up suites to penthouses with hot tubs – and everything in between. Cots for babies and day beds for children are provided when required.

Decor is chic, sleek and modern, with pretty wooden accents and high-thread-count cotton. We were lucky enough to have a swim-up suite, which had a large superking bed, and a sofa bed for my six year old. Large glass doors opened up onto a private pool area, with a small space just for us, then a larger expanse of water which we shared with a few other families in neighbouring rooms. A boltable gate ensured water safety and a decking area with a circular lounge bed provided somewhere to chill out.

Having a pool so close, meaning we only really had to leave the room for meals, was incredible. We stayed in the water until our fingers wrinkled.

EXPLORING NEARBY

When feeling intrepid one day, we took a taxi a short way into Palma to explore, choosing a private walking tour available on Tripadvisor. Our guide was fascinating, with endless facts about the city, making it fun for my six year old too. The location of the hotel made exploring Palma easy and we were able to visit the cathedral, castle and the old town, before my two year old decided she’d had enough. Palma is stunning, and well worth seeing. Wandering around the ancient streets provided shade too, as did swinging inside the town hall.

BEACH TIME

A back gate out of Zafiro Palace Palmanova takes you on a path straight to the Palmanova beach and the Mediterranean Sea beyond. A beautiful sandy beach, it makes for a brilliant day trip – especially as it’s lined with cafes, bars and ice cream shops. After our 15th sand castle of the day, I took the girls for a drink at the sandy-toed Turtle Beach, which was a hit with all three of us.

*Nightly rates at Zafiro Palace Palmanova start from €438 per night with All Inclusive Redefined ®