Sunday morning in Port de Sóller in the northwest of Mallorca. The sun shines on the boats around the harbor, turning the water from a morning grey to a rich blue and illuminating the “Faro de Punta de Sa Creu” lighthouse with its black and white stripes.
The harbor slowly awakens. The first joggers and Nordic walkers make their way along the beach promenade, from Platja de Sóller to Platja d’es Replic and back. Some also walk up to the beacon at Cap Gros. It stands on the western side of the bay, opposite the Ringelle lighthouse. Things are starting to move! Swimmers plunge into the water, SUP experts glide elegantly across the water, others paddle towards the open sea in kayaks.
Silky air, gentle breeze
From room 232 with its large terrace on the 3rd floor of the Espléndido Hotel in a prime lakeside promenade location, you can watch the scenery unfold. A real box seat. This silky air, this gentle breeze, this Sunday morning serenity – it’s nice to take a deep breath. Village life in this sheltered bay is a world of its own. Not a trace of car noise. Road traffic is as good as banned from the first sea line.
Breakfast could always be like this …
It is now 7.30 am. The thermometer shows 23 degrees. The desire for aromatic coffee increases. So out onto the breakfast terrace of this four-star superior hotel, with a view of the water of course. There is no buffet, but service at the table. An étagère is served that has it all. Delicious by the floor. Toasted bread with Mallorcan tomato spread with feta and hard cheese or avocado bread with salmon and sprouts, for example. The croissants – light, wholemeal and chocolate versions – are perfect with butter and jam. Served with yogurt with berries, muesli, fruit salad. If you also want an egg, you can have it in the form of a scrambled or fried egg, poached, as an omelette – plain, with ham or vegetables. Add freshly squeezed orange juice and a red smoothie made from beet, carrot, apple and orange juice, and your sea view morning meal is perfect.
Vintage meets Scandi look
In the Espléndido Hotel, the “magnificent” hotel with its 74 rooms, modern vintage charm meets Scandi chic. The house was built in the 1950s and some of the furniture is reminiscent of the style of that time. True eye-catchers are among them. Just like the turquoise and white palm tree wallpaper in the rooms! The owners are Johanna and Mikael Landström from Sweden, who bought, renovated and finally opened the hotel in 2005. The location is exceptional: the sea in front of you, the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains behind you. However, this also makes the parking situation somewhat difficult, especially as the small harbor town is teeming with one-way streets and no-through roads.
Pools & Wellness
The two pools – the thermal pool for adults and the family pool with pool bar – are located behind the hotel in the garden on different levels. But climbing stairs keeps you fit. Otherwise, you can also use the small fitness room. It is located right next to the spa area with indoor pool, sauna and treatment rooms.
Nostalgic streetcar in front of the door
What else makes the hotel special? The wooden streetcar from the beginning of the 20th century that purrs past the front door. The nostalgic “Tranvía” has withstood the test of time and become a tourist attraction. Every hour, up to 12 times a day, it journeys from Port de Sóller to Sóller, three kilometers away, and back again. The “Tren” then runs from Sóller to Palma … The historic little train has been running undaunted since 1912!
Exit to Sóller and Palma
So why not take a trip and see Sóller with its Art Nouveau buildings or continue through the orange valley towards Palma and let the wind blow around your nose? The drive through adventurous bends and numerous tunnels through the Tramuntana mountains is an experience.
1st row sunset
In the evening, however, it’s all about getting back to Port de Sóller. Otherwise you would miss something: one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island. Many onlookers come, sit on the wall on the beach and watch the show. Some just look, some have a picnic bag with them from which they take wine or beer. Others enjoy a pizza from one of the surrounding beach takeaways. Of course, the outdoor terrace of the Espléndido is a chic place to sit, perhaps with a sundowner such as the “Bistro Bellini”, a mix of Prosecco and white peach. The sun sinks lower, night falls. The lighthouse begins to send out its flashing signals and the stars start to shine. A quick pinch: can reality be so romantic? And how!
Even more Port de Soller tips!
– Several restaurants around the harbor such as “Randemar”, “Agapanto” or “Es Passeig” are within walking distance. A must in Port de Sóller: try the famous red Gambas de Sóller. They are one of Mallorca’s finest delicacies. Not quite cheap (price of the day!), but delicious. Juicy, almost sweet, they beguile the palate.
– Mallorcan souvenirs: Sa Posada de l’Artesà, Carrer Marina 46, Port de Sóller: ceramics, cushions made from tongue fabrics, palm leaf bags
– Good on foot: Hiking tours from the Hotel Espléndido, for example to the Cap Gros lighthouse via Sóller and back to the port. Or to the 17th century watchtower Torre Picada above the 5*-star Hotel Jumeirah. Route descriptions are available at reception.
– Bikes, including mountain bikes, can be rented next to the hotel, as well as SUP boards and kayaks.
– Boat trips to Deià, Cala Tuent or Sa Calobra with the Torrent de Pareis gorge, Mallorca’s Grand Canyon, start at the north end of the marina.
– Palma de Mallorca and the airport are around 30 minutes away by car.
– The Swedish owners also own the design hotel Portixol in Palma.
