I would recomend the Sol Cala Blanca in Palma Nova.4 star ,on the sea front, but you do pay extra for the sea view,they did upgrade us once for free but that is down to luck.Very easy to book direct at .www.solmelia.com.We have been in february and there are places open.Mainly older peaple but they dont come back at 3am singing, food good and hot,staff helpful

Hi Pippa

We are off this Friday staying at the Costa Azul in Palma for a long weekend.

Great place to stay in the winter. Lots to see and do and a nice comfortable hotel which you can book diy.

If the weather is nice, a short bus or taxi journey and you have lovely beaches in Can Pastilla and Playa de Palma.

Cheers
Peter

Hi Pippa,

Why not try the Eden at Port De Soller, it may not be up to the Es Port's standard but we are going for the 4th time later in February, there will be no entertainment and it will be quiet, we love it and so convenient for walking the Tramuntana. It ceratinly is value for money.

Regards,

David.

Book with Winter Sunshine Holidays.

Hi David,

Do you go half board at the Eden - if so what is the food like??

I notice on winter sunshine holidays that there is a choice of standard or superior - do you get a sea view with the superior?

Also is there parking as we shall be picking up a car at the airport.

Many thanks,

Pippa

Hi Pippa,

We do go half board, the food is ok for us, it is buffet style with usually a Mallorcan evening during our stay, a good choice at breakfast , but some people in their reviews are critical, there are reviews on AlphaRooms and I am pleased to say most complimentry. We used to book a superior room but last February booked a standard room and were placed in a superior room with a sea view at no extra cost. Parking is at the back of the hotel at the bus station up towards the EsPort but some people we met parked their hire car on the promenade at the front of the hotel with no difficulty at that time of the year.
I always consider that of any hotel that we stay at or have stayed at the Eden is exceptional value for money just £15.50 PPPN HalfBoard this visit, £305 for ten days. Having stayed before the Staff know us and are very welcoming.
Should you decide to stay I do hope that you will enjoy it, we can't wait
and look forward to some good walking.

Good Luck , Oh sorry about the Alicia,

David

Thanks for all that info David.

Yes we are sorry too about the Alicia - it was expected though. We will probably just have to go back there at a different time of year - as hubby retires at the end of the year it we can go when we like!

I am looking at the Hipotels Flamenco in Cala Millor as that looks to be a very good hotel right on the beach. Certainly whilst Cala Bona was 'closed' in February, Cala Millor was still up and running. Only problem is it is very much a german resort and Hipotels are german based.

Will keep you informed.

Pippa

Only me Pippa,

Just to say that at the Eden the guests are predominately German, Belgian and Dutch. However once they have found it the Brit's are returning and there does seem to be a few more, usually cyclists and walkers.

David

Hello Pippa
Have you considered the Talyot just a short walk away from the Alicia. Not all rooms are with sea views but I requested one by e mail and paid a supplement which was less than booking it through Thomsons.
Alternately I would suggest the Son Matias at Palma Nova all rooms with sea views we are again booked to go there end of Jan/Feb 07.
Hope you have success find a good substitute for the Alicia.
Sue

The Talayot does not appear to be open in February.

Have looked at the Son Matias which we can book just as accommodation with Thomson - we have flights booked.

Not even considered Palma Nova and whilst the hotel looks really good and gets great review we are a little concerned that Palma Nova is not quite our sort of holiday resort!! We do prefer a quiet resort and not too bothered about any nightlife really. Palma Nova is so close to Magaluf that just the thought of it fills us with dread!

Perhaps you can put our minds at rest.

Pippa

Hello again Pippa
Yes I can reassure you that it is quiet at that time, there is some entertainment in the hotel and in the neighbouring Santa Lucia and some nice quiet bars in the vicinity. We are quite a bit older than you but we do like a fairly lively nightlife (we are just back from Benidorm) but we also enjoy a quieter break and as I am not a sunbather I don't mind the mixed weather. We also enjoy long walks and being able to get on the buses to Palma and other resorts more easily than in the busy season.
Magaluf is like a ghost town at night but is very pleasant in the daytime.
You can visit Goodfellowes and meet up with Adam who contributes on this forum. He and his wife make everyone very welcome.
Hope this is of some help.
Sue

Thank you, I have just read about Magaluf and Majorca in general being very quiet at the moment.

Just a couple of queries about the Son Matias - I am assuming that it doesn't have an indoor swimming pool and also as we will be picking up a car from the airport what is the parking like there?

It does seem that Majorca is no longer attracting visitors in the winter like it once did - probably people want guaranteed sunshine although we have been lucky on out previous 2 winter visits to get a fair amount of sun even though it might have been coolish.

Thank you for all your help.

Pippa

Hello Pippa
No there is no indoor swimming pool.
(there is at the Santa Lucia. However half of their rooms are not on the sunny side we got a room on that side 3 times)
I am not sure about parking- I would have thought there was plenty of on street parking at that time of year, but here is the Son Matias e-mail adress:- recepcion@matiasbeach.com, they are very helpful.
We had sunshine on most of the 14 days last year but it was cool in the evenings.
Sue

I emailed the hotel this morning and they quickly replied (a good sign) they have private parking for guests so that is no problem.

I am going to book now!! 2nd - 9th February.

Pippa

Thats a pity-we leave that day!
Pleased you have got a replacement for your cancelled holiday and hope you will enjoy iyour stay at the Son Matias.
Sue

The Son Matias is booked - not a bad price - £306 for the hotel - we have Air Berlin flights already booked.

Are there any particular rooms/floors that are better than others? I'm not too keen on being too high up but don't mind 4th/5th floor for instance - I want the best views!!! I can email the hotel direct with any requests.

Thank you for all your help - much appreciated.

Pippa

As far as i can remember all the rooms at the Son Matias have sea views, but its a few years since i was there...and my memory is not what it was!!

Best Regards - Taggy

Hi, In my opinion asking for a pool view is the nicer side, the 5th or 6th floor should be fine, as far as I can remember it's about 9 floors high. It is a wonderful hotel, we have stayed there twice now but always pop in whenever we are in Palma nova to say hi to Tony (bar manager) & Laura (head of entertainments) all the staff there are fab, you will not be disapointed I'm sure. Enjoy. I envy you!!