Boutique hotels in Mallorca

Summers can get hot and crowded; opt for spring or autumn instead to make the most of balmy weather, quieter sights and still-warm waters.

Michelin-star-studded Mallorca has earned its stripes as a gourmet destination; book early to sample Bou Restaurant’s inventive cuisine in Sa Coma. Rustled up from fresh local produce and the island’s prized olive oil, the island’s unpretentious fare is equally appealing: stop by Es Guix near the Lluc Sanctuary for rustic Mallorcan dishes in a converted hunting lodge with sweeping mountain views. Herb-infused local spirit Hierbas is worth a sip but beware – it’s rather potent.

A row-boat journey through Cuevas Del Drach’s otherworldly stalactites and stalagmites; the tour ends with a short concert from a classical quartet on subterranean Lake Martel.

Palma’s beach clubs and late-night haunts will sate even the most die-hard of revellers, but away from the main strip you’ll find hole-in-the-wall jazz clubs, rooftop cocktail bars and low-key drinking dens too.

Nestled in a valley of citrus groves, charming Soller has bustling markets, lively cafés and a vintage tram to the town’s port and beach. Head off-piste to a luxury retreat in the seaside village of Calvià. Converted fincas make rustic-chic boutique hotels; opt for one with serene views of the Sierra de Tramuntana.

Palma’s international airport is well served by low-cost flights to destinations throughout Europe. You’ll need plenty of time for a ferry crossing to the Spanish mainland or the other Balearic islands.