The all-inclusive jewel of Mallorca: Zafiro Palace Palmanova
First impressions are important. When I check into a hotel, the employees who seem genuinely happy to see me are both a litmus test and a harbinger of things to come. As a travel writer who has stayed in hundreds hotels, you would be surprised how rare a friendly first welcome is. That’s why I paid special attention during a recent visit to Zafiro Palace Palmanova in Mallorca, Spain, where I could feel the welcome from the moment I entered.
My husband and I arrived in the beach town of Palma Nova at 7 a.m., exhausted after our flight from New York. It was immediately clear that the staff would be the special sauce to take 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 p.m. And would we mind telling them what time we would like to schedule our 25 minute massage, which is included in our room rate? My first thought? I think I’ll like it here.
All inclusive or not, it’s up to you
The family behind Zafiro Palace pioneered all-inclusive holidays in Mallorca and perfected the concept. While many guests, including myself, opt for the simplicity of the all-inclusive package, your stay is customizable, with half-board and bed and breakfast available.
Zafiro Palace: The important details
Rooms
The rooms are spacious and face the 11 swimming pools, landscaped gardens and maze of avenues of tents. The decor favors a neutral, airy and contemporary color palette. Marble and wood accents bring natural elements indoors. The floors are high quality porcelain, barefoot cool. Baby cots are available on request.
For a luxury experience, Zafiro Club Rooms offer premium perks including a stocked mini-bar, fresh flowers and wine upon arrival, daily in-room treats, and access to pools exclusively reserved for Zafiro Club guests, to name a few.
My Zafiro Club Penthouse Junior Suite was equipped with a king-size bed, a sofa bed, and a split-level balcony with a staircase leading to a private Jacuzzi that begged for a moonlit soak.
THE Spa
The spa has a sauna, hammam and swimming pool as well as treatments including massages, facials and body wraps.
Restaurants and buffets
As a foodie, I generally avoid hotel buffets, as I generally find them bland and boring. At Zafiro Palace, the buffet embraces local produce and seasonality with fresh fruit, island-grown nuts, local honey, yogurt and cheese, as well as traditional Spanish cuisine dishes like paella swimming with seafood and a tortilla loaded with potatoes and caramelized onions. There was also a great selection of children’s food, from chicken fingers to pizza, with high chairs and mash for toothless toddlers.
We also dined each evening at the resort’s specialty restaurants, featuring Italian, Japanese and Spanish cuisine, and enjoyed quality meals accompanied by attentive service. Alcohol is included, making it easy to enjoy local wine.
The beach
Palma Nova’s chain 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
Around 9 p.m., the family-friendly evening entertainment begins, with children participating in magic shows, musical performances and juggling. Adults also enter the scene; one evening my husband was pulled out of the audience to limbo dance. At 10 a.m., a pianist or harpist performs on the terrace under the stars, a dream way to end the day.
A paradise for little travelers
As a former early childhood educator, little kids and I team up like Fred and Ginger on the dance floor. Luck was on my side in September as many of the guests were under five. Unlike school-age children, they did not need to return to class. Their savvy parents took advantage of shoulder season discounts and sparse crowds. Locals and hotel staff told me that spring was just as calm.
I expected to see very young guests enjoying amenities such as a supervised kids’ club, a play area with a bounce house, and a pirate-themed wading pool. What surprised me was that children were practically welcome everywhere. They jumped in swimming pools (complete with attentive lifeguards and a supply of toys), dined at upscale specialty restaurants, and enjoyed evening shows, whether dozing off in their strollers or dancing the night away. There are a few areas where children are not allowed, such as the adults-only saltwater pool, indoor lap pool, and spa.
What to do in Mallorca
Take a boat ride to hidden coves
We discovered the region’s maritime traditions aboard the llaut, a sturdy fishing boat whose history is closely linked to that of the island. The almost flat bottom of this 100% electric boat allows it to navigate and moor in very shallow waters. We enjoyed leisurely, emissions-free sailing to crystal clear swimming coves that our skipper Mike shared with us.. Let the staff know that you would like to visit Mallorca by boat and they will take care of the transfers and details.
See more Palma Attractions
I was glad we made the effort to leave the peaceful cocoon of the resort and reach Palma, the capital of Majorca, a 20-minute drive away. We wandered around the Mercado Santa Catalina, admiring some wonderful produce and charcuterie before sipping a glass of local wine and enjoying some tapas at one of the market stalls.
Mallorca is known for its strong cafe culture offering delicious pastries; we couldn’t resist the urge to eat one ensaimadaa spiral-shaped pastry dusted with a godsend of powdered sugar, at Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo, one of the city’s most venerable restaurants.
With its flying buttresses and Gothic rose window, we immersed ourselves in the beauty of the famous Palma Cathedral. But for me, the highlight of our visit to Palma was the Palma Aquarium, where we learned about the sea creatures that inhabit the Balearic Islands. The engaging and knowledgeable staff spoke excellent English.
When to visit Mallorca? Shoulder season shines
Mallorca is the largest of the Spanish Balearic Islands. In summer, its superb beaches are crowded. However, in spring and fall, temperatures drop to comfortable levels, beaches are empty, and hotel prices plummet. Most hotels and resorts in Mallorca, including Zafiro Palace Palmanova, close in November and reopen in early spring.
United’s new nonstop seasonal flight between Newark and Palma is a significant draw for U.S. tourists during the spring, summer and fall.
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