Right on the harbor front, in what used to be a scruffy old port on the outskirts of Palma but is now one of the coolest areas in town, is the Portixol. A happening hang-out since the 1950s, a recent refurb by its Swedish owners has brought this city-fringes B&B establishment bang up to date with a fresh, nautical feel, and added facilities which have turned it into a must-visit destination hotel.
The rooms, 24 of them, are designed with in a cool, uncluttered Scandinavian style. If budget is no issue, the best are those with balconies and ravishing sea views. By day the action is around the pool, but by night, the bar and restaurant – whose generous windows, rather like those of a cruise liner, overlook the swimming pool – are buzzing with guests.
The hotel also attracts its fair share of non-residents – who come down to the harbourside to indulge in some of the city’s best food, cocktails and waterside views. Delicious wines are mostly local, and the food is a cut above, from the freshest fish to fantastic burgers. Sitting down to eat with a panoramic harbour view and Palma’s sandstone cathedral twinkling along the edge of the sea is almost too fabulous for words.
What’s hot?
- The gorgeous views
- The cocktails
- The top-class restaurant
What’s not?
- You have to cab it into town
Need to Know: Portixol
Number of rooms: 24
Check-in/check-out times: 3pm and 12noon
Room service: No
Swimming pool: Yes
Spa: Yes
Dogs welcome: No
Eating and drinking: The restaurant offers an a la carte menu and a seaside lunch option that changes weekly (both the burgers and the fresh fish are especially delicious). Meals are served from breakfast until very late (Spanish-style), with a great selection of wines and cocktails, and a wonderful setting on the seafront.
Near to? Portixol has a great location on the Portixol harbour, within easy walking distance of the shopping and nightlife of Palma city centre.
Getting there: The hotel is on the outskirts of town with Palma airport around a 15-minute taxi ride away.
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