I wanted to treat my grand-daughter and her 5-year-old son to a holiday in the sun, but it had to be in the school holidays. While looking for a good, safe beach, and a hotel with pools and attractions for children, I also hoped for a stylish environment for the adults – and found the perfect destination. I stayed there some years ago with my mother, and again with my daughter, both wheelchair users, and knew the high standard of accommodation, food, and service.
Located on the Bay of Alcudia in the north of Mallorca, the 4*plus hotel is right on the beautiful beach and has a special advantage, an adjoining 4* sister aparthotel, the Albufera Park, whose fabulous children’s pool, kids’ club and play areas can be used by all guests. Our side was quiet, elegant and spacious, and only very small toddlers and babies appeared in the dining room, gardens and pools with their parents: the older, noisier children were out of earshot next door!
We were happy to spend several hours each day sitting round their large attractive pool while our five-year-old enjoyed the slides and fountains of the kids’ pool. Although it was July, and both hotels were full, there was no shortage of comfortable loungers,parasols and towels in both hotels. After a fun-filled session, we could return to our own side, and enjoy the three tiered pools of varying depths, or sit on the spacious, well-furnished balcony in the shade; the temperature reached over 30 degrees all week, and it was advisable to avoid the midday heat.
The beach, like all those in Mallorca, does not belong to the hotel, and one has to pay for a lounger and parasol. Most people sat on the caster-sugar sand, too fine for building good castles though,under their own umbrellas within yards of the clear turquoise sea, warm and safe for paddling and swimming. There are plenty of water sports for the active, and our best day was a boat excursion along the coast, with an opportunity to swim in a secluded cove. I refrained, though I’m a good swimmer, knowing from experience that after the swim, it is very difficult to climb the ladder back on board if you are short and arthritic in the knees!
The gardens are immaculate, every leaf swept up as it falls, and the trees provided welcome shade to sit with a drink from the several open-air bars. We had half board, but full board is available with lunch at the terrace restaurant, or you can opt to swap lunch for dinner and eat out in the evening at one of the local restaurants. Because the hotel dinner was so good and varied, and the staff so pleasant and helpful, we chose to dine in, buying lunch or a snack as required.
There are a few mini-market shops within a hundred yards and that was as far as we ventured in the heat. But Alcudia is a pleasant resort, and the Albufera Nature Reserve is right beside the hotel. You can take excursions to other lovely towns by bus or taxi, but July is not the month for exploring. The only negative, in fact, was the transfer from Palma airport to the hotel, which took over two hours, as the coach called at several hotels en route. The return transfer was direct and took 45 minutes. Senior travellers might consider pre-booking a taxi, which I did on the two previous visits. The convenience outweighs the cost if you are at all fragile. Ask for a room on the first floor,near the lift, and you will have a stress free holiday, even with a wheelchair.
I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough, for seniors, with or without their families.