Santanyi Townhouses

Rooms

The beautiful boutique townhouses are similar in size (3 bedrooms) and layout (living spaces downstairs, bedrooms upstairs). Both have a rear-facing courtyard with plunge pool and outdoor seating, and are located a few blocks from Santanyi's pedestrianised centre.

Moon House (sleeps up to 6) - the more recent conversion - is sleeker and chicer, with a palette of creams, honeyed stone and lime-washed beams. Its gorgeous bespoke basins and tubs are made of smooth marmolina (poured marble and alabaster dust). Punched pewter lamps and latticed cupboard doors lend a hint of nearby Morocco. One bedroom has 3 windows over the street, a second has a private sunbathing terrace, while the third lies up its own (quite steep) staircase. All 3 are doubles, with ensuite bathrooms. Downstairs, the lovely living spaces flow into one another: kitchen - dining - sitting room (dark but cool). But you'll probably spend more time outside, lazing on the cushioned bench seats around the semi-recessed plunge pool. We think it's perfect for 2-3 couples or a family with older kids.

Sea House (sleeps up to 8) is slightly more bohemian and less 'designer', suited to a family with younger children or with grandparents in tow (there's a separate 'granny flat' across the courtyard). The open-plan living-dining room is bigger and brighter, with orange accents, well-stocked book shelves and a spidery wrought-iron lamp. French windows open onto a slightly larger courtyard, shaded by a palm tree. One bedroom (the only twin) is also downstairs, with a huge seascape canvas, and a shower room next door. Upstairs, under sloping eaves, are 2 pretty air-conditioned double bedrooms with cream walls, a glimpse of stone, sun-shaped gold mirrors and loads of storage space. These share a bathroom (tub and separate wetroom) and a lovely, spacious terrace with yin-and-yang sun loungers. This is where we spent our evenings, catching the sun's last rays and smiling at roof-level neighbours as they hung up their washing.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

Both houses have a well-equipped kitchen: hob, oven, large fridge, toaster, coffee machine, plenty of pans and plates, sharp knives and (my litmus tests) egg cups and ice trays. Everything worked like a charm, and the ornate chandeliers (one with blown-glass red peppers dangling among the beads) add warmth.

Caretaker Barbara provides some bottled water (tap water is brackish), coffee, tea and wine to start you off; for your main shop, it's a 3-5 minute drive to Santanyi's 2 supermarkets. Top up at delightful bakeries and Mallorcan delis nearby, or the vibrant market (Wednesdays and Saturdays).

Also on your doorstep are several great little restaurants, including trendy Goli, and the chilled-out Llum de Sal, where we enjoyed homemade lemonade mocktails, superb sushi and Bossa Nova soundtracks. Maren also anticipates great things from the re-invented Sa Cova on the Placa Major: top tapas, buzzy vibes, live music.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Chef on request
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Shopping service
• Toaster

Activities

• You've 3 gorgeous coves within 5km: sandy, family-friendly Cala Santanyi has watersports, beach bars and volleyball; fjord-like Cala Figuera draws crowds for its azure, pine-fringed waters and traditional wooden boats; idyllic, cliff-ringed Cala s'Almunia has the most sparkling seas, but barely enough space to lay your towel
  
• Near yachty Cala d'Or are a golf course and more tiny white-sand beaches, popular with Germans
  
• To escape the crowds, follow the coastal path southwest from Cala s'Almonia towards the lighthouse of Ses Salines: rugged cliffs and turquoise waters of almost Maldivian luminescence
  
• Or head inland to Moorish Santueri Castle (you can drive almost all the way), sitting atop a 400m peak with eagle-eye views over a tapestry of almond groves, pine woods and glistening villas
  
• Leave time to browse the arty boutiques of Santanyi, and the church of Sant Andreu; we liked of D-Tres (fashion, handbags, jewellery), Cult (boho clothing and shoes), and the ubiquitous colourfully glazed pottery

  Activities on site or nearby include:

  • Boat trips
  • Cycling
  • Golf
  • Hiking
  • Museums / galleries
  • Shopping / markets
  • Swimming

Kids

Both houses are well suited to a family of 4-6, with 3 bedrooms, plenty of living space, and a courtyard garden with plunge pool. Sea House has an additional 'tower' bedroom across the courtyard if you want to bring the parents or in-laws, but preserve a bit of space. You'll need to bring toys, books and children's equipment, though.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Moon House has 3 double bedrooms; Sea House has 2 double bedrooms and 1 twin bedroom (plus the additional room)

Distances:

• Airport: 45 mins (Palma)
• Supermarket: 3 mins' drive
• Health Clinic (German-run): 3 mins' drive

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The houses are located in the town of Santanyí, in southeast Mallorca, 5km from the coast.

By Air:
Fly into Palma (50km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport:
You'll probably want a car, in order to explore the area. Hire cars are very cheap - but see our car rental recommendations. You can normally park for free on the street near the houses. Some of Santanyí's lanes are quite narrow; you might struggle in a large 4x4.

Detailed directions are provided when the booking is confirmed through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Mallorca and getting around