Around town: Puerto Portals, Majorca

Whilst staying at the Maricel hotel we popped into the pretty Puerto Portals a few times, it's just c5mins away by car. It has some nice restaurants, cafes & bars and its lovely to take a stroll by the yachts. You'll also find a lovely sandy beach with turquoise blue waters just a few mins walk out of Puerto Portals.

...some photos straight from our iPhones...

Hotel look around: Zhero, Palma, Majorca

Staying at Maricel Hotel we noticed the Zhero hotel located just across the road & so we popped in for a look...

What's it's curbappeal?:
- budget boutique motel...white on white chic with colourful fashion led photography

Time of visit: Sunday, May 2013

...some photos straight from our iPhones...

Checking out Restaurant: Tristans, Puerto Portals, Palma, Majorca

We checked out Tristans but didn't dine there as we didn't have a reservation (Sunday night, early May) & it was fully booked...

What's it's Curbappeal?:
- floor to ceiling glass walls/windows
- end corner location along the Puerto Portals 'strip' means stunning views across the yachts from most tables
- chic amber lighting
- funky toilets...

Time of visit: Sunday, May 2013

...some photos straight from our iPhones...

Bar review: Diablito, Puerto Portals, Palma, Majorca

What's it's Curbappeal?:
- rooftop terrace offering amazing views across the yachts in the harbour
- comfy colourful sofa style seating
- bit of a haven from some of the trasher places nearby (you're just far enough away to escape the karaoke bar...)


Time of visit: sunset drinks on Sunday night, May 2013

Restaurant review: Tahini, Puerto Portals, Majorca

What's it's Curbappeal?:
- totally unique design, especially for this relatively traditional area... main restaurant with glasses teahouses (dining areas) situated in the small Japanese courtyard garden
- amazing sound system, with deep dish music creating a v chilled vibe
- delicious food
- watch the sushi chefs at work in the main restaurant
- minimalist but welcoming decor using stylish furnishings (eg high end lime green upholstered chairs) & funky artwork


Time of visit: Sunday night, May 2013

Cafe review: Cappuccino Grand Cafe, Palma, Majorca

NB. There are a few branches of Cappuccino in Majorca, we went to their main one situated in the shopping district of Palma

Whats its Curbappeal:
- bustling grand cafe in palatial style building
- large outdoor patio, with flowers & a small water feature
- chilled music playing indoors (& lots of notices telling you their albums are for sale!)
- indoors you'll find casual wicker chairs set round small round grey marble tables indoors with a central feature of an indoor/outdoor courtyard

Crowd: largely older European (mainly German!)

Food & drink rating: we had a cous cous salad (tasty, moist & large portion) & sushi tuna rolls (v nice). We didn't try a cappuccino (!) but did have an espresso & that was pretty good.

The bill: pricey but food quality is good & the cafe has a lovely atmosphere


Time of visit: Saturday lunchtime, May 2013

... Some photos straight from our iPhones...

My travel research: Upcoming trip - Palma, Majorca (draft not final version)

Cafes, Bars, Restaurants:

*my favourites

Portixol:

Tapas Club:
http://www.gotomallorca.net/tours/tapasclub/tour.html
Visit for lunch
Looks like hipster lounge bar
Colourful
Hip furniture
Inside/outside dining

Town:

Taberna de la boveda
http://www.tabernadelaboveda.com/
Visit for dinner
locals fave -excellent tapas: busy tapas bar at front, more formal resto at back
Traditional (old fashioned?) design
Inside/outside dining
Terrace dining looks more 'us'. Next door to beautiful old building

Old town:

CAN JOAN DE S'AIGO CAFÉ *
http://www.volotea.com/en/inspiration/majorca/can-joan-de-saigo-cafe/
Visit for breakfast
Cafe cum chocolaterie
200 years old
Serves Majorcan equivalent of croissant. Homemade almond Icecream supposed to be Majorcas best. Hot chocolate is speciality. Also try almond milkshake/cake/pastry. And ensaimada pastry dusted with sugar. Helado (ice cream) good too.
Traditional but very stylish. Reminds of grand cafes in buenos aires
Marble tabletops, tiled floors, gilded mirrors
Inside dining only
Not touristy

Bon lloc
http://www.bonllocrestaurant.com/mobile/index.php
Visit for dinner
Vegetarian institution for over 20 years
Interior is modern take on traditional Majorcan restaurant
Inside dining only

Cappuccino grand cafe *
San Miguel
http://www.grupocappuccino.com/grand_cafe/san_miguel/index.html
all day bistro
For breakfast lunch or dinner
Lovely leafy and tree lined large courtyard patio
Within beautiful historic building (an old palace)
Modern take on a grand cafe
Closed Sunday

Cappuccino grand cafe *
Puerto Portals
Not in grand building but large lush patio - and looks bustling

Wineing
http://www.wineing.es/en/index.php
Visit for lunch or dinner
Tapas/wine pairing restaurant. Unique
Traditional interior updated with contemporary chairs and tables
Inside dining only

Abaco bar *
http://www.volotea.com/en/inspiration/majorca/abaco-bar/
Majorcas most lavish bar; in a mansion
Not touristy

Cala Estancia

Zee *
http://www.zeepalma.com/en/photos-restaurant-palma/
Chic restaurant
Black and white interior
Furniture looks high end
Inside and outside dining but inside looks much more high end
Comes very highly recommended

Fashion restaurant, Hotel Zhero
http://www.hotel-zhero.com/en/bar-restaurant.html
Across road from our hotel

Hotels:
Hospes Maricel *
Www.hospes.com
Luxury boutique hotel in restored Palace by the sea. Outdoor pool right on waters edge. Simply gorgeous.
Located in upmarket residential area 5 mins from town.

Cala trava
Www.boutiquehotelcalatrava.com
Recent opening
Centre of palma, by beach - plaza llorenc villalonga, 8
C13th building renovated in contemporary minimalist style
Looks to be good budget(ish) stylish boutique hotel

Beach club review: Puro Beach, Palma, Majorca. Saturday 22nd September 2012.

NB. If you're staying at Hotel Puro use their free shuttle service to reach the beach club (10-15min journey). Remember to book your return shuttle, as it can get v busy when the beach club closes

It's Curbappeal:
- white on white chic


Crowd: [bare in mind we were there out of season] Wide range of Europeans. Groups & couples. Fairly chic lot.

Food & drink rating: tasty fresh food & decent portion sizes

The bill: not bad but if you're not a hotel guest & so paying for a sunbed it might feel on the pricey side. Not sure it's worth paying extra for a spot closer to the ocean

Anything we didn't like: the location seemed a little strange - surrounding buildings not that attractive, but as you'll probably be facing the sea it's not a big issue. Its also fairly close to the airport, although we kinda liked that as it felt quite Ibizan - seeing the planes take off & land

Recommended: Yes. It's a chic club with a cool (but not too pretentious) crowd & not far out of central Palma


... Some photos straight from our iPhones...