Palma de Mallorca welcomes travelers of all sorts to soak in its history, explore the island’s sunny beaches and calas, and immerse themselves in the Mallorcan culture while blending adventure with relaxation. The Balearic capital is full of gorgeous hotels tucked away in its historical center and looking over the sea, offering a wide variety of options for families. It can be overwhelming to decide which is best for you, so we have created a list of what we believe to be the best hotels in Palma for you and your family depending on what you’re hoping to experience during your Mallorcan vacation.
Each hotel on this list offers a high level of service and comfort for families and exudes local charm, and there are no wrong decisions. However, each offers a different atmosphere and the location of each has its own advantages. Whether you’re looking for a city break oasis, a seaside getaway, or a lazy beach vacation, explore our guide to find something to fit your family’s needs.
Editor’s Note: Mallorqueta‘s mission is to provide you with authentic information about the island. To review our hotels, our writers (in this case Calley), who live on Mallorca themselves, visit the establishments, tour the facilities and speak with the staff. We consider a large pool of hotels first before determining our top recommendations.
Best Hotels In Palma For Families
Best Hotel For Sea Lovers: Portixol Hotel & Restaurant
Portixol Hotel and Restaurant is located by the port of Portixol. If you’re strolling along the port or to D’es Portixolet Beach, you can’t miss the emblematic two-story white boutique hotel rising above the water, letting you know you’ve arrived in the trendy portside neighborhood of Portixol.
Decorated in a Scandinavian style, this hotel is airy and nautical with an excellent attention to detail. It’s tranquil, but feels relaxed and cozy with light walls and big windows and accents of dark wood, leather, and metal. Kids will be fascinated by the aquarium on the back wall as soon as they walk in and the nautical details peppered everywhere.
There are a variety of room styles to fit your needs. For instance, the Port House Suite is perfect for families. It is the only suite in the hotel with two stories so there is more privacy. The bottom level has a sofa that converts into a bed and a small bathroom, and the master bedroom is on the second level.
The hotel offers a sizable outdoor pool, a spa, a restaurant, and a bar with views of the harbor.
Location
If you love the sea and want to be away from the noise of the city, but still able to walk or bike to the cathedral and everything the heart of Palma holds, this hotel might be for you. It’s located in the small port of Portixol, offering views of the boats docked from one side and the sea from the other. A short two-minute walk away is the small sand and pebble beach of D’es Portitxolet Beach, famously featured in Rosalía’s Despechá music video.
The hotel is also located along the paseo marítimo, a nearly 10 mile (16 km) path that’s popular for biking and walking that stretches from Palma to El Arenal. The cathedral and city center are approximately a forty-minute scenic walk along the water.
Activities
Portixol Hotel and Restaurant features a spa with an extensive menu of body treatments, facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, and more, perfect for mother/daughter time or for someone to unwind. The spa also contains a sauna and a mini gym.
One of the jewels of this hotel, besides its location and commitment to service and customization for guests, is the pool. It’s larger than many I’ve seen in Palma and offers lovely views of the port while being surrounded by citrus.
The concierge will help you organize cycling, hiking, tennis, and golf if you’re wanting an active vacation. The hotel also has a small selection of board games.
Additionally, the paseo marítimo is great for families who love to be active as it is a popular place for walks, bike rides, and rollerskating. Beaches are easy to get to with D’es Portitxolet Beach a short stroll away, Playa de Can Antoni a ten-minute walk to the other side of the harbor towards Palma, and Playa de Ciutad Jardín about a twenty-five minute walk the other way. There’s also a small playground on the other side of D’es Portitxolet Beach.
Local Tips
I recommend the Port House Suite for families. There is more privacy and the terrace has lovely views of the port. Also, be sure to take advantage of the location and go for a bike ride along the sea.
Best Hotel For Seeing The City: Hotel Cort
Hotel Cort is a newer boutique hotel located in the true heart of Palma, right in front of the city’s iconic 17th century ayuntamiento in Plaça Cort. Step outside the hotel to the hustle and bustle of the city’s old town. Despite being in the beating heart of Palma, the hotel is quiet and calm, offering an escape from noise and busyness. It’s decorated with Mallorcan flair and details, such as walls decorated in the style of robes de llengües, traditional Mallorcan fabric.
The hotel offers fourteen suites and two double bedrooms. The Plaza Suite is great for families because there are two sections, the master bedroom and the salon area. The sofa converts into a spacious bed and there are sliding doors between the two rooms to offer more privacy.
The rooftop has a small pool to cool off in or work on your tan. It’s surprisingly hushed even though it’s nestled in the center of the city. If you’d like to swim, you might want to make your way to the beach though.
They have a highly-rated Asian fusion restaurant with tables outside in Plaça Cort under the shade of an ancient olive tree, a great place to watch the city go by.
Activities
Hotel Cort doesn’t have any activities besides a small rooftop pool to cool off in, but it is well-located. The main activity is exploring the city. You never know what kind of cultural events will pop up in Plaça Cort.
The cathedral and Royal Palace Almudaina are nearby. Also, no trip to the center of Palma is complete without purposefully getting lost in Old Town. Parc de la Mar is a short walk through Old Town towards the sea, and the Estació Intermodal is nearby with its TIB system that can take you to calas and pueblos all over the island.
It’s an excellent location for shopping lovers because great shopping abounds. The street connecting Plaça Mayor with Plaça Espanya is full of stores, and Paseo Borne is also a great place to shop with stores like Zara, Louis Vuitton, Oysho, H&M, and more.
Location
Located in the emblematic Plaça Cort, this boutique hotel is well-located for all things Old Town. The ayuntamiento and famous 600-year-old olive tree are right outside the entryway, Plaza Mayor is a short walk to the left, the cathedral and Palacio Almudaina are a lovely stroll to the right, and Plaça Espanya is easy to access if you need to use the island’s network of public transportation.
It’s a perfect location to get lost in Old Town’s winding streets.
Local Tips
If you’re in Plaça Cort, try some ice cream from Flor de Sal (and ask which flavored salts go best with your ice cream flavor), sit on the bench at the ayuntamiento underneath the gorgeous carved wood awning, and watch the city go by.
Tipika, a short walk through old town past Santa Eulalia, is a great go-to for souvenirs. You can easily check it out on your way through Old Town to Parc de la Mar.
Best Hotel for Mother/Daughter Getaways: Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden
Tucked away in the middle of Palma, this lush and elegant boutique hotel offers a quiet retreat from the city with all the benefits of proximity. It’s cozy and hushed in spite of the heart of the city pulsing all around it.
This 19th century manor house offers 24 suites with a variety of sizes and personalities to fit your needs. All blend antiques with modern luxury to give a cozy yet elevated feel.
The soul of the hotel is its garden, an oasis as the largest private garden in the city center. Greenery and tranquility abounds beneath shade trees and surrounded by plants. There is a small pool to cool off located in the garden and also a restaurant. It is the perfect place to unwind.
They fully embrace the garden theme, with waiters carefully placing small tomato plants on each table in lieu of flowers. Inside the hotel, there is the Jumanji dining area where vines creep up the walls and twine around the artwork. With the garden, trees, and greenery, you don’t feel like you’re in the city anymore, but you can step right into the heart of Palma. It’s the best of both worlds.
The spa has a well-curated menu of services ranging from facials, body treatments, to massages. Additionally, there is a small rooftop pool.
Activities
This hotel is great for a spa day or relaxing in the garden by the pool, or on the rooftop. Additionally, their concierge can help you book experiences such as golf, yoga, boat tours, culinary workshops, and more.
The location of Can Bordoy makes it great for wandering Palma’s center. I highly recommend checking out La Llotja or walking along the Palma bay.
Location
Can Bordoy is located near Plaça de la Drassana, steps away from La Llotja and the paseo marítimo. In the heart of Palma, everything is just a short walk, from excellent shopping and restaurants around Paseo Borne, Es Baluard Art Museum, Sa Feixina Park, to the cathedral. There are also art galleries and boutique shops tucked in the nearby streets. There’s no telling what gems you’ll find as you wander.
Local Tips
The dedicated concierge and team are committed to adapting to the needs of their guests and their families, but I would recommend this hotel more for mother/daughter trips or anyone who wants to feel pampered.
I highly recommend enjoying a decadent Italian-style ice cream at the nearby Riva Reno with views of the gorgeous La Llotja.
Best Hotel For The Beach: Es Princep
Es Príncep is a 5-star urban boutique hotel with a commitment to excellent service tucked behind Palma’s 16th century walls, its namesake. Inside, it’s luxurious yet cozy, decorated with greens and leathers in homage to the area’s history as the tanning district. Step outside the hotel and into historical Palma.
They offer a variety of types of rooms to fit your needs and each one will give you a luxurious experience with fluffy slippers and robes, a minibar, and 24-hour room service. You can choose between views of the sea and views of the historic old town. The largest rooms are suites on the top floors that offer incredible views of the Palma bay.
Activities
While the hotel doesn’t have any specific activities for children, it is a short walk from both Palma’s city beaches, Anima Beach and Can Pere Antoni, and also Parc de la Mar. Parc de la Mar is positioned between the sea and the cathedral and has a playground as well as a bit of green space.
Relax and unwind with the hotel’s Coco Spa, featuring a pool, sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool, and extensive menu of treatments.
The crown jewel of this hotel is its rooftop bar and pool, Almaq. You can enjoy incredible views of the Palma bay over the city walls. Don’t miss the sunset over the cathedral and the mountains.
Location
This hotel is ideal for those who want to be minutes away from the sea, steps away from getting lost in the winding streets of Palma’s center, and a short walk from the cathedral. You can walk along the city walls to the cathedral, or along the sea to some of Palma’s city beaches.
Local Tips
If you stay in this hotel, I highly recommend setting aside some time to just wander and get a little lost in Old Town. You’ll stumble across so many gorgeous patios and courtyards just tucked away.
But if you need some destinations to aim for, there are the Banys Arabs (Arab Baths) which are one of the last remaining remnants of Islamic Palma, the Museum of Mallorca, and Can Joan Saigo (where you must try an ensaimada or their almond ice cream).
Best Budget Option: Helios
Helios is a larger, modern hotel located in Can Pastilla. It’s light, airy, and modern, all white walls and large glass windows. It’s a two-minute walk to Can Pastilla beach, one of Palma’s more popular city beaches.
The hotel has a large variety of rooms to meet your needs, including family rooms and apartments. It’s more of a traditional hotel than the others on this list, which are mostly boutique hotels located around Palma. The prices are also a bit more economical, but without sacrificing quality. It’s clean, contemporary, and offers quite a few amenities. Additionally, it isn’t far from the airport. It’s great for families and for bikers because of its location, room selection, and services.
They also have a restaurant that is highly recommended for breakfast and dinner.
Location
It’s well-located for those who want to spend their holiday relaxing on the beach with Can Pastilla and all of its activities right at their doorstep. Nearby attractions are the beach and the Palma Aquarium.
However, Palma center, which should not be missed, is only a 20 to 30 minute bus ride and a 20 minute drive. If you’re really ambitious, you can bike along the coast on the paseo marítimo (which I recommend) for about 30 minutes.
Activities
Helios is the only hotel on this list to have a large outdoor pool and heated indoor pool. It’s also bike friendly with a list of services for bikers, from bike racks, equipment rental, bike clothes washing, and a workshop. Additionally, they offer yoga sessions and have personal trainers to help you keep a fitness plan during your vacation if that is something you want.
Besides the hotel’s services, there is no shortage of activities nearby. Can Pastilla is made for those who don’t want to leave the beach and the water. You can go paddleboarding (I like El Niño Surf Center), try windsurfing, or rent a kayak. It’s a great place for watersports.
There’s also a playground right off the beach.
Additionally, families shouldn’t miss the nearby Palma Aquarium. It’s a great way to learn about the sea life of the Mediterranean before putting on your snorkel goggles, and it’s located right on the beach. Also, it’s along the paseo marítimo which is a great path for walking, running, and biking.
Local Tips
If you want your job to be “beach” this summer, and you want to be steps away from the sand and sea all vacation long, Helios might be the hotel for you. Also, I highly recommend trying Bon Vent, a restaurant on the beach with amazing llonguets, a typical Mallorquin sandwich.