Since opening in 2007, L’Avenida has undoubtedly upheld the hip quota of Soller, the picturesque town on Mallorca's northwest coast. Surrounded by spectacular mountains, with cute cafés and funky boutiques on your doorstep and a sandy beach a tram ride away, the setting is stunning. But what makes this hotel really stand out is the visionary design and personal approach of founders Tania and Paul Slijper, who have added their own glamorous-chic styling to this Modernist mansion with great success.
Etched glass doorways and an art nouveau reception desk sit next to contemporary-print wallpapers and urbane-chic Kartell lamps. A sweeping marble staircase leads to 12 elegant bedrooms, most featuring original frescoes on high ceilings, decadent chandeliers, Parisian fabrics, Bonnaccina chairs, luxurious Philippe Starck bathrooms and perfectly framed views of the Tramuntana peaks. To top it off, there's a charming courtyard pool with sail-covered gazebo.
Highs
- An intriguing blend of early 20th- and 21st-century style and comfort
- Great location: just a 3-minute walk from Soller's pretty main square and a 10-minute tram ride to its scenic port and beach
- Most bedrooms have picturesque mountain views
- Sybaritic lounging by courtyard garden swimming pool with an all-day bar
- Excellent range of in-room spa treatments, including massages and manicures, and a well-equipped micro gym
Lows
- During July and August, a morning children's summer camp operates next door - noise carries but the hotel offers alternative sunbathing at a nearby Port Soller hotel
- No private parking at the hotel but there's a public car park across the street
- Being in the town centre, the garden is surrounded by other buildings
- No children under 14 years, and no lift
Best time to go
Mallorca's Mediterranean climate makes it a pleasant destination at any time of year, though most people visit between April and September. July and August are the hottest and driest months; spring and autumn are ideal for walking or golf. Rain is most likely between October and March, when everything becomes greener and the scent of orange blossom fills the valley.
Our top tips
Feeling decadent? Ask the owners to arrange a yacht charter with a beach paella or champagne picnic, or take a private helicopter tour of the island's craggy mountains and sandy coves.
- Boutique Hotel
- 12 bedrooms
- Breakfast and lunch (+ walk to restaurants)
- Over 14s welcome
- Closed: 21 Nov 2024 - 31 Dec 2024
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
Each of the 12 rooms is different, but their styling can be roughly defined by the floor on which they’re found. Those on the first floor have a neutral, contemporary style softened by a few boudoir-like touches, while second-floor and ground-floor rooms have warmer cream and brown tones to compliment their beamed ceilings or exposed stone walls.
For the budget-conscious, the standard rooms are perfectly welcoming, though we’d choose a Standard Double Room over a Garden Standard Room - the latter lacks natural light. We stayed in a Balcony Room, all of which are accessed via a communal terrace with seating, and enjoyed having the option to sit directly outside our room (even if it wasn’t in total privacy). If you want space, the Junior Suites offer plenty, but the crème de la crème are the Luxury Suites. Facing the front of the house, they have sweeping mountain views, four-poster beds and bathrooms with both roll-top bathtubs and walk-in double showers.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- In-room treatments available
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The fresh breakfasts are a simple affair served in the basement, but follow our lead and take your selection upstairs to be enjoyed on the poolside shaded terrace - much more relaxing. Choose from moreish homemade muesli, jams, mini pastries, local hams and cheeses, plus freshly squeezed juice from Soller oranges.
L’Avenida offers an eclectic mix of Mediterranean Modern dishes served by the pool Wednesdays to Mondays from 1pm until 330pm. Alternatively, Soller's host of outdoor cafes are just around the corner.
In the evening, Soller has a wealth of good-quality restaurants. During our visit, Paul recommended Restaurante Luna 36 (lovely courtyard garden), Ca’n Boquetav (for a more formal meal) and Ca’n Pintxo (for tapas). We also noticed that bijou and hidden Casa Alvaro was packed even when other restaurants were winding down - tucked down an alleyway between the hotel and the main square (on Carrer de Vicari Pastor), it’s worth a try!
Back at L'Avenida, the dark and intimate Lounge Bar has a great selection of local wines, cognacs and whiskies.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Chill out by the pool and cool down with a cocktail; indulgent in-room aromatherapy and beauty treatments can also be arranged
- Explore Soller and the surrounding area: wander along the narrow cobbled streets or sit in one of the cafés on the main square
- Catch a vintage tram to the sandy beach (2km away)
- Take a day trip to Palma on the scenic railway line which travels through the mountains and visit the city's art galleries, cathedral and boutiques
- Got a car? Visit the pretty villages of Deia, Valledomossa, Fornalutx and Biniaraitx, all within a 25-minute drive. The drive along the mountainous coast to Lluc Monastery is spectacular
- Reception can also arrange tennis lessons or a round of golf at Son Termens' 18-hole course (a 15-minute drive); with a little notice, yoga courses are available at a nearby retreat in Puerto Soller
- The surrounding Tramuntana mountains offer superb hiking and biking - just ask for bike hire or expert walking guides (suitable for all levels)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Tennis coaching
- Wine tasting
- Yoga
Kids
Children 14+ years are welcome. Luxury Suites can hold extra beds for a supplement.
Family friendly accommodation:
Extra Beds Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
L'Avenida is in Soller, on the north west coast of Mallorca.
By Air:
Palma airport (25km) is a 40-minute drive from Soller - you can take a taxi, a hotel transfer or hire a car. If collecting your hire car from Palma airport, make sure you have a few euros with you for the Soller tunnel toll.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you confirm a booking through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mallorca and getting around
Airports:
- Palma 25.0 km PMI
Other:
- Beach 3.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km