Zafiro Palace Andratx review: a new luxury marvel in Mallorca
This all-suite five-star hotel is an ideal choice for families, foodies and golfers
Surrounded by the Serra de Tramuntana mountains, thick pine forest, and looking straight out to the haze of the Mediterranean, the Zafiro Palace Andratx is the newest property from the Zafiro Hotels group on Mallorca and Menorca.
Owned by the Plomer family, this contemporary hotel in Mallorca with its wooden decking, glass balconies and warm, sand-coloured exterior is secluded enough to offer complete privacy and peace, but close enough to the harbour for guests looking to leave the gates and explore every day.
Why stay here?
With year-round sunshine, and flights from London to Palma taking just over two hours, Mallorca is an obvious destination for families, but the hotel’s luxury all-inclusive option makes it an ideal choice if you’re travelling with young children. All 304 suites have private pools completely free from prying eyes. Our Owner Suite, a whopping 194sqm space, featured two en-suite bedrooms with a large living and dining area. The children’s room was already fitted with bed rails, stacked with colouring books and pencils, and Yzzy the koala bear waiting on the pillows. Bathrooms stocked full-size bottles of products, along with separate bath and beach towels – negating the need to faff with collecting and returning towels by the pool.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The suite’s two minibars are restocked every morning with one containing non-alcoholic drinks: four varieties of juice, water and Coca-Cola, and an alcoholic one with three types of lager and five different tonics. Once the kids are in bed, guests can make use of the living room’s giant TV that rotates 360 degrees, and crack open any of the full-size bottles of Japanese Suntory whisky, artisan Mallorcan gin or gran reserva rum. Sunsets in this part of the world leave crimson rumples in the clouds, setting the skies alight, which are best experienced on the wraparound terrace – either in the hydromassage bath or plunge pool.
During the day, those who want to relax in peace can have 90-minute massages at the spa, or head to the adults-only area, while families can choose from one of six other swimming pools including a specially heated one where the poolside van serves Mr Whippy-style ice cream and cocktails. Children aged five and older can be dropped off at Mini Club, while younger children are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian to paint, dance, watch Disney films or use the playground. Currently there is no evening babysitting service, but the hotel management is looking into options.
Eating and drinking
Buffets can be hit and miss, but the Market restaurant at Zafiro Palace Andratx hits all the right notes: there’s the safe option of nuggets, burgers, goujons and chips for children along with a chef cooking fresh pasta, paella and pizzas. However, the main grill is always hissing with giant red prawns, slivers of beef and slabs of meaty swordfish cooked to order. With joints of tenderloin, crisp aromatic duck, and baby lamb with gravy and dauphinoise, parents can run a trial and error system to satisfy young palates without compromising on their own preferences. There are numerous vegan and vegetarian options, with around 20 different types of salt, ten different olive oils and every fruit from strips of mango and dragonfruit to slabs of pineapple and melon.
La Veranda Italian restaurant overlooks the pool and is less frequented by children, making it a preferable option for couples wanting a quiet meal of seafood risotto, fried calamari and rosé cava – which is topped up before you can blink. Other choices that require reservations include El Olivo for tapas and seafood, Tastes & Sushi for Peruvian and Japanese, and Caliu Steakhouse for grilled sirloin with pungent chimichurri – not to mention some of the best garlic prawns in hot, salty butter.
What to do?
Golfers can take a two-minute walk next door to the Golf de Andratx championship course, apparently a favourite of Michael Douglas and Claudia Schiffer. Home to the longest hole in Spain – the 609m “Green Monster” par-five hole six – it’s a beautiful course shaded by forest, with views across a shimmering ocean. Non-sporty sunseekers can continue on for another couple of minutes down the hill to the resort village of Camp de Mar. Here you can find a strip of supermarkets and pizza parlours by a quiet curved beach surrounded by pine trees, and water clear and shallow enough for toddlers to safely splash in.
For chic-boutique browsing take a ten-minute taxi ride to Port d’Andratx, a working fishing village with seafood restaurants and cocktail bars. On Wednesdays wander through the market and breathe in the smell of leather handbags, roasted almonds and fresh lemons, before stopping off at No.11 for a sharp mint julep and crisp Andalusian squid with lemon mayo.
How to book
A junior suite with bed and breakfast at Zafiro Palace Andratx starts from £333 per night, with the premium all-inclusive rate starting from £527 per night; zafirohotels.com
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Biltmore Mayfair review: a quintessential slice of luxury London
The Week Recommends This swanky retreat in Grosvenor Square blends old-world glamour with modern comforts
By Caroline Dolby Published
-
Langdale Chase Hotel: a cosy nook in the Lake District
The Week Recommends This Victorian villa has breathtaking views and expansive gardens
By Natasha Langan Published
-
Ramdane Touhami's Hotel Drei Berge
The Blend A passion project in the Swiss mountains sees creative visionary Ramdane Touhami achieving new heights
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Timeless hotels for old-school elegance
The Blend From Jamaica to Rome, we check into incredibly atmospheric landmarks
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Hoteliers who host
The Blend Sublime design gets personal at these luxury properties with personality
By Delilah Khomo Published
-
Engel Ayurpura: a boutique Ayurveda retreat in the Dolomites
The Week Recommends The tranquil Italian hideaway offers an array of specially tailored wellness programmes
By Ann Lee Published
-
Isles of Scilly: discover the abundant joys of island life
The Week Recommends Ramble, sail and feast your way around Scilly to experience a region like no other
By Julia O'Driscoll, The Week UK Published
-
Raffles London at The OWO review: a quintessentially British stay
The Week Recommends This heritage building has been given a twist as a luxury hotel in the nation's capital
By Leaf Arbuthnot, The Week UK Published