Mr & Mrs Smith

Fantastic hotel in the perfect postion for exploring Palma town. From check-in to check-out, the staff were incredibly helpful and always had a smile on their faces. Rooms are lovely, we went for Junior Suite which gave plenty of space to relax when not in the sun. It also has a fantastic big flat screen TV if Mrs Smith or the children are driving you up the wall, not that mine were just in case you read this. The roof terrace is great place to catch a bit of sun and have a drink before being transfered to Puro Beach Club, which the hotel do every hour and free of charge. A word of warning though, book the beach club well in advance ie before you arrive as it gets booked up as we discovered. Another word of warning, don't go to the other beach clubs they suggest, they simply aren't like Puro and the service was terrible. A few places we would highly recommend are Caballito De Mar for beautiful seafood and a boozy lunch, people-watching in the town, Cafe Port Pesquer for lovely tapas (order the 12-size tapas portions) and La Boveda, another great tapas next door to Caballito. For evening cocktails, just step right out of the hotel and in 50 yards you see a huge wooden door that leads you in. Abaco has to be seen to be believed – it's a must.

Only one hour's drive from the hotel you will find one of the best kept secrets of Mallorca, the unspoiled natural beach Cala Varques. Situated on the east coast between Cala Romantica and Cala Mallorca this beach has small coves, large caves and crystalline waters with exceptional visibility (20 meters+), ideal for snorkelling. The beach is well hidden with no direct car access and no signposts, so ask the locals at nearby Cala Romantica for directions. A 15-minute walk takes you to the beach. There are no facilities at the beach, so bring your own water and food! (As an airline pilot I have travelled to most destinations in the Med. But this is truly the best beach I have seen so far in the Med, comparable to beaches in the Caribbean!)