What do you do when the first hotel you have created is a rip-roaring success? If you're Mikael and Johanna Landstrom, you take a dowdy, run-down 1950s hotel, apply the magic formula that worked first time around, and create a vibrant and relaxed base in Mallorca's most scenic seaside town. Stylish, funky and occupying the best position in the middle of the bay.
Most of the bright and airy rooms look out to sea and, best of all, most have terraces with stunning views across the horseshoe bay. In fact you're so close to the sea that you can hear the waves lapping below. With a spa, a popular bistro-restaurant and bar that would not look out of place in any hip city hotel, pretty terraced gardens and refreshing pools, we can see why the only thing the successful Swedish husband and wife team didn't change was the name. Because it's all rather splendid indeed. A long-standing i-escape favourite!
Highs
- The fantastic views from the sea-facing rooms, pools, garden and restaurants
- Rooms are packed with little extras (complimentary minibar drinks, Nespresso machines, flip-flops, beach bags) and many have outdoor space - watching the sunset from your terrace as the 2 lighthouses start their nightly vigil is hard to beat
- The hearty breakfast in the light-filled breakfast room or out on the sunny terrace
- The scenic harbour of Port de Soller, with its many restaurants, sandy beach and friendly atmosphere - and it's only a short tram ride to the mountain-ringed old town of Soller
- The road outside is pedestrianised, so there's little or no traffic between you and the sea, making it perfect for an evening stroll
Lows
- Bear in mind that it's popular with families, and the main pool area can teem with kids in midsummer
- All 3 pools are small - ideal for a cooling dip, less so for swimming lengths
- With 74 rooms, it's larger than most i-escape hotels, but retains an intimate air and excellent service
- Parking can be tricky but you really don't need a car here
- The upper garden terraces and adult-only pool could be difficult to reach for the less mobile
- Baby cots
- Baby bedding
- Highchairs
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
Babysitting is available by arrangement
Bring your own monitor. Depending on the make, they might not work everywhere so if this is important, request a room close to the restaurant for maximum signal
The bistro-restaurant has a kids' menu and will assist in helping prepare baby food if requested; food is available all day. There are child-friendly restaurants and a supermarket nearby, too. Kettle in all Large (Family) rooms or upon request for remaining rooms.
- Heated main pool with kids' shallow section
- Children's spa treatments (manicures, pedicures etc)
- In-room CD-DVD players (1,000 movies available at Reception)
- Beach and pool toys
- Safe shallow beach with no current or tide within walking distance
- Boat trips
- Tram rides to Soller
- Hang out with other kids in the central plaza
- Train rides to Palma
- Picnics in the mountains
- Aqualand or Marineland waterparks (both 40 minutes' drive)
- Boutique Hotel
- 74 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Closed: November to late March
- Pools
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
Rooms
Spread over four floors, the wide selection of rooms offer bright, fun and retro-chic styling. Those at the front have glorious views of the tranquil bay; those at the back face the steep garden and most have lovely patios.
We would definitely plump for a sea-view room; even if it's one of the smaller standard rooms. Their white walls are perfectly suited to that special light that you only get by the water's edge. All fourth floor rooms, regardless of size, have Juliette balconies, too. For proper outside space, book a terrace option (we liked their electrically operated canopies).
If you're worried by noise, have small children or simply want a bargain, you might prefer one of the garden view rooms. They’re darker and don’t face the sea, but they are peaceful.
For true luxury, there are the two Atico suites or Suite Esplendido. The Atico suites share a large terrace facing both the sea and garden (so it catches the sun all day), while Suite Esplendido has a separate sitting room and a private terrace with a Jacuzzi.
All rooms are equipped with in-room entertainment systems, WiFi and air-conditioning. There are some fantastic little extras, too - complimentary minibar drinks, restocked daily, Nespresso coffee makers, homemade treats at turndown, even beach bags and flip-flops. Stylish bathrooms have slate floors, good showers and Marie Stella Maris toiletries; most have a bathtub, too.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
An excellent buffet breakfast is served in a smart sea-facing dining room and adjoining terrace (8am-11am). There's a huge array of charcuterie, cheeses and freshly baked bread and pastries, as well as hot dishes to order and the usual cereals, yoghurts, fruit and homemade jams. Jugs are filled with fresh juices and healthy smoothies. It's very relaxed and informal, with plenty of smiling staff keeping things ticking over.
For other meals, we recommend the hotel's bistro restaurant - it's popular with outsiders too, so you will need to book. For dinner, there's a regularly changing contemporary menu of tapas using local ingredients such as fresh Soller red prawns or spider crab croquettes. Classics like burgers, steak and pasta are perfectly cooked, or if you prefer something lighter, the Asian-inspired dishes, especially the grilled seabass with Thai salad and yellow chilli, hit the spot. We loved dining outside on the promenade watching the world go by (though the prices are a little steep). Lunch includes a choice of simple but tasty salads, soups or sandwiches which can also be served poolside.
If you want to head out, Port de Soller has plenty of seafront restaurants. We enjoyed fresh fish at Es Canyis and bolder contemporary fare at Restaurant Agapanto, which is a short walk along the left-hand side of the bay - you'll see its fairy lights twinkling at night from the hotel. Other guest favourites include nearby Sa Barca and Villa Luisa. Return to the hotel bar for a nightcap - they have a fantastic selection of spirits and cocktails.
Features include:
- Bar
- Coffee maker
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
This is the best place on Mallorca for combining mountains and sea, and for relaxing in style afterwards...
- Swim from Port de Soller's narrow sandy beach, or take to one of the hotel's 2 outdoor pools (one adults only, the other heated with a kids' area)
- Indulge in the spa's indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, waterbeds and thermal showers. Treatments range from Swedish massage to pedicures. You can also pre-book yoga or Pilates sessions (private or group)
- Take a stroll along the harbourside - most of the seafront has been pedestrianised, and there are plenty of cafés for pitstops
- Stand-up paddle board, with a local company just 30 metres away on Espléndido beach
- Take a boat trip from the harbour: there are daily summer cruises along the spectacular coast, including some to the cliff-ringed cove and river gorge of Cala Tuent (though the beach here gets crowded in summer). If you're a bit of a landlubbber, check water conditions beforehand - the sea can be rougher than it looks!
- Don't overlook the pretty old town of Soller, with its neo-Gothic churches, modernista architecture and fragrant citrus groves; the historic tram linking it with the port stops outside the hotel every 30 minutes and takes about 10 minutes
- Hike into the dramatic mountains behind Soller: popular routes include the pilgrims' path through the Barranc de Biniaraix, the 1000m ascent of L'Ofre, and strolls around the lakes of Cuber and Gorg Blau. Hiking poles are available to borrow from reception
- Or wander to one of the lighthouses on the headland for views back to town - and onwards towards Deia
- Don your lycra, hire a bike from the shop next door to the hotel and pedal off to explore the local area; they have a good range from electric to kids, and the hotel has a large bicycle storage space
- Take the scenic wooden train to Palma for a day among the shops, galleries and tapas bars of the island's capital
- Back at the hotel, explore the top floor to find the yoga studio, a series of lounges and a library, with a good selection of books and vinyls
- Relax on your terrace or in the leafy gardens (there are plenty of sunloungers), then head to the lounge bar to chill out over a cocktail
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Pilates
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Well being
- Yoga
Best Time to go
Any time from April to November, bearing in mind that prices increase and availability will be more limited in the busy summer months.
Our Top Tips
Having a hire car can be tricky when staying at such a centrally located hotel. Our advice would be to either go car-free (making use of the tram to Soller and the train from Soller to Palma), or to take a taxi to the hotel then hire a car after a couple of days. There's plenty to keep you occupied around Port de Soller.
If you're a keen cyclist, Esplendido has a dedicated air-conditioned bike storage room, perfect for guests arriving on 2 wheels. And the spectacular mountain and coast roads radiating from Soller are a dream for energetic cyclists.
If you're a keen cyclist, Esplendido has a dedicated air-conditioned bike storage room, perfect for guests arriving on 2 wheels. And the spectacular mountain and coast roads radiating from Soller are a dream for energetic cyclists.
Location
Location:
Esplendido Hotel is centrally located in the seaside town of Port de Soller, approximately 30 minutes from Palma and Mallorca's airport.
By Air:
Fly in to Palma Airport (35km / 30 minutes' drive). From here, we recommend taking a taxi, a hotel-arranged or public transport to Soller. You could hire a car from the airport, but parking at Esplendido can be tricky due to it's central location. Also, make sure you have a few euros with you for the Soller tunnel toll.
Getting around:
There is plenty to keep you occupied around Port de Soller, but if you want to explore further, you could hire a car after a couple of days. We went car-free, making use of the tram to Soller and the train from Soller to Palma.
Detailed directions are provided when your booking is confirmed through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mallorca and getting around
Airports:
- Palma 35.0 km PMI
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 11 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape