We’ve just started a ‘Discerning’ programme in Mallorca, in 2012, and featured some stunning properties in Cala San Vincente, rural spots like Orient and the old town within Palma. Now whilst I was very pleased with the standard of not only the accommodation but also the service (which is what we are all about) of our new programme, I felt that we needed some more, can I say this, less expensive product.
As our guests are most definitely not ‘mass market’ I decided to look for slightly out of the way hotels in rural villages where, with the help of a hire car, one could get to see all the most beautiful parts of this lovely island…..and yet be located in a delightful hotel that wouldn’t be too much of a pull on the purse strings.
This is when I came across the charming Sa Bisbal. Located in Selva, a 30 minute drive from Palma, 20 minutes from Pollenca and about an hour from the East coast. With only 6 rooms, this is a delightful little ‘Interior Hotel’, as the Mallorcan tourist bods like to call it, run by Len and Francesca and ably assisted by Marisol.
The hotel, built in the 17th Century, used to house some noble families of the area. It still retains some interesting architectural elements such as the ‘portal fora’, the stone stairs and the ‘cub de vi’ where the grapes were fermented in the production of wine, all adding to its ambience.
I stayed in suite 3 which is a larger than a standard room with a double bed, two armchairs and a study desk for writing blogs like this. There are some steps that lead out onto a delightful private terrace with views of the countryside and of the fabulous gothic church of Sant Llorec. Three windows give this room good light. There’s a TV with loads of channels with films dubbed into Spanish and with some tricky button pressing you can get the films in their original language which coincidentally were all English/American…if you are ever going to watch the TV whilst on holiday!
There’s a separate bath, a separate shower and also a separate toilet. The washbasin is in the main room, a feature that I’m increasingly finding on my contracting trips and I’m not sure if I like it or not. There are some nice soaps and shampoos which are always a lovely touch in any hotel room especially when you don’t expect any.
I had a look around all the other five rooms and they were all very good and room 5, whilst the smallest, was perfectly acceptable for me. Room 1 was actually outside the main hotel just between the pretty courtyard and the swimming pool. In summer the pool is certainly a welcome relief!
Breakfast consisted of a selection of cheeses, hams, breads and croissants, yoghurts, home-made jams, teas and coffee. Eggs are also available any way you want them but you should let Marisol know the day before of your requirements. Oh and there’s fresh orange juice….always a bonus and a welcome change from some watered down orange squash!
Finally the hotel has free wi fi and something which says so much about any hotel…an honesty bar!
I highly recommend this place and know that Len, Francesca and Marisol have the work ethic and attention to detail that I insist on any property that I would want to feature in our collection.
please visit Holidays in Mallorca website provided by naplesoft.com