Despite all the challenges of this year, life in Mallorca goes on with restaurants, cafes and a selection of hotels open with a real desire to maintain the Christmas traditions of the island that are steeped in the island’s culture that still thrives today.
A selection of hotels Open throughout the Christmas/New Year festivities:
Hotel El Llorenç Parc de la Mar, Palma, one of the latest boutique hotels to open in Palma’s old town with the famous local chef, Santi Taura, heading up his own restaurant “DINS”. The hotel will be open throughout the festive period with a special package of 245 euros per person based on double room occupancy to include one night’s accommodation, welcome drink, either Christmas Eve dinner, or Christmas Day lunch/dinner in DINS Santi Taura Restaurant, beverage & wine selection, breakfast and access to the hotel spa. On New Year’s Eve, the hotel is offering a two night package with a spectacular New Year’s Eve dinner for 540 euros per person (based on double occupancy). www.elllorenc.com
Boutique Hotel Can Alomar, located on the Palma’s elegant Borne Boulevard in the centre of city, the hotel will remain open throughout the festive period together with its “Tokio Lima” restaurant that extends out on its large terrace overlooking the old city and Palma Cathedral. Prices start at: 250€ per night to include breakfast and local tax. www.boutiquehotelcanalomar.com
Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden – this 16th century manor house in the heart of Palma’s old town. Lavishly restored and opened in 2018, the hotel features 24 suites and one of the largest private gardens in the city with pool. Prices start at 250€ per night for the Traveller Suite to include breakfast: www.canbordoy.com
Hotel Portixol, (outskirts Palma centre) – located beside the traditional marina of Portixol, the hotel’s swimming pool overlooks the sea. It’s an ideal location for cycling (available from the hotel) or walking along the seaside promenade to Palma or along the coast to Arenal. Prices at this time for a double room start at: 216€ per night with views across the sea: www.portixol.com
Hotel Son San Jordi, Pollensa – a small family run hotel that is open year round including Christmas and New Year with a lead-in price of 98€ per night to include breakfast: www.hotelsonsantjordi.com
Ecocirer, Soller – for all the family – a typical Solleric townhouse has been converted by local Mallorquin, Barbara Marti and her husband Martijn. Committed nature lovers, they claim they have opened the island’s first “eco sustainable” hotel using 100% recycled materials. For a minimum stay of one week, you can book the entire 6-double bedroom hotel to include cleaning and laundry service, daily breakfast and experiences for adults and children. These include cooking classes, walking in the mountains, yoga, picking oranges and lemons on a traditional finca estate. Ideal for families or groups of friends from 1,050€ per night to include breakfast. www.ecocirer.com
Mallorcan Festive Flavours and Treats
Local island produce online: whether you want to treat yourself to olive oil, oranges, wine, jams or local pork sausage (sobrassada), you can order your favourite Mallorcan products:
Fet a Soller: www.fetasoller.com
Terragust: for island rural experience and local produce: www.terragust.com
Finca Son Moragues in Valldemossa produces its own organic olive oil in artisan olive wood case as an original gift idea: www.sonmoragues.com
Nativity Cribs “Belen” – The custom of creating a nativity scene dates back to the 18th century in Spain and is an important tradition throughout the island. In Palma’s historic churches, you can see some of the oldest and most ornate nativity scenes. Many of the figures are handmade such as the scenes in Palma’s Town Hall that reflect everyday island life. Although attendance will be restricted this year, adults and children can still visit these scenes throughout the festivities.
Misa de Gallo – the traditional Christmas mass is held after the main Christmas evening meal on December 24th in churches throughout the island. These include Palma Cathedral at 23.00 and Lluc Monastery at 22.00.
Christmas Turrón – traditionally eaten at Christmas, turrón is a traditional sweet made from a mixture of honey, eggs, sugar, and toasted nuts. Its origins go back over 500 years ago to the time of the Moors. Today, turrón comes in all different varieties and flavours. Some of the best home-made turróns can be bought from traditional delicatessens/pastry shops across the island and in Palma one of the most famous is in Fornet de la Soca where owner and master baker, Tomeu Arbona, has researched the islands oldest recipes to recreate a taste of Mallorca from centuries ago. www.fornetdelasoca.com
Christmas Markets – a selection of Christmas goods, including everything you need to make your own nativity scene, are now on sale in Palma’s two main plazas: Plaza Major and Plaza España (2nd December – January 7th) and at the weekly markets around the island: www.infomallorca.net
