Zafiro Palace Palmanova

I have long had a soft spot for the Balearic island of Mallorca having been an avid visitor throughout my childhood and teenage years. We spent most of our time in the north of the island in the resort of Puerto Pollensa. The years have gone by and all grown up, I now return to Mallorca, but this time to spend a few days relaxing in the south of the island in the popular holiday destination of Palma Nova. This part of the island is known for its affordable package holidays but one brand is changing all that with the newly launched Zafiro Palace Hotel Palma Nova which offers a relaxed 5-star luxury experience with an affordable price tag. So read on to discover more about this luxury resort in the south of Mallorca.

Background & Concept

Zafiro Hotels has a number of 4-star properties across Majorca and currently one other 5-star Zafiro Palace Hotel in Alcudia with another in the pipeline for Andrax in 2020. The Palma Nova property opened in 2017 and is aimed at families and couples and follows the same format as the Alcudia property called “Smart Luxury”. Luxury stands for quality and elegance, while “smart” refers to modern comfort, not stifling and stiff, but modern and eventful, with separate feel-good areas for different guest profiles and the whole family.

The resort is contemporary and fresh in style, and from the moment you walk into the luxurious lobby and look out from the floor-to-ceiling windows to the main pool area you know you are in for something special. Clever use of design throughout the resort means children and adults have their own areas and the grounds of the property are pristine and immaculate.

Location

Located in the heart of Palma Nova, you are a five-minute walk to the beach and the stretch of feel good bars and restaurants. If you are energetic you can hire a bike from the hotel and cycle down to the pretty marina town at Portals Nous and peak at the super yachts which are berthed there. Palma airport is a convenient 20 minute taxi journey from the airport via the motorway and roughly 20/30 minutes away is the capital Palma, which is one of my favourite cities in the world, I just love it there!

Rooms & Suites

Built around a central-pool zone, five blocks host 240 all suites rooms which all look into the central pool area.

Suites range from Junior Suites to Swim Up suites which have a terrace and direct pool access. Junior Penthouses which have private roof terraces and include their own jacuzzi. Zafiro Penthouses have the same, but an additional kitchenette.

Read our guide to the best luxury hotels in Mallorca

If you want to go all out take the Owners Suite, which is a three room suite with private rooftop terrace that includes jacuzzi, lounger, sofa, Bali bed and a kitchenette.

During our stay we had one of the incredible Junior Swim Up Suites which are based on the ground floors.

The swim up suites have a personal terrace area to relax in and at the end of the terrace if your own private pool area.

The suite interiors are chic and sophisticated with large glass doors leading out to the terrace which lets the light flood into the room.

All suites come with Nespresso machines and complimentary water, while bathroom amenities are by Osme Organic.

Twin sinks in the room and separate bath and walk in shower finished in marble add to the luxury experience.

The Pools

The beauty of the Zafiro Palace Hotel is that you really don’t need to leave the complex if you don’t want to as there is so much to keep you entertained. Outdoors there is a main pool with fabulous Caribbean-style swim-up bar, an Oasis pool for over 18’s with Bali beds and a separate children’s pool area.

Zen Spa

Indoors there is a spa which has two pools – one for adults and one for children, the adults pool includes a jacuzzi, sauna and steam-room. Zen Spa has a gym, heated indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room, and offers a wide range of beauty treatments and daily exercise classes

Food & Drink

Most of the dining takes place at the main dining room ‘The Market’ which offers buffet style dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The buffet is impressive with a rotating choice of international dishes, live cooking stations, salads, cold meats, cheeses and fish. Pricing options allow for B&B, DBB or you can go for their All Inclusive Premium option when you stay.

In addition to the main restaurant there are four themed restaurants in the resort too El Olivo, Pórtico, Tastes Sushi Bar, and La Veranda, which open from 6.30pm until 9.30pm.

Pre and post dinner their large indoor/outdoor bar area just off the lobby is a great spot for a drink and during peak season the bar area offers nightly musical entertainment too.

Final Thoughts

I came to the Zafiro Palace Palmanova with an outdated opinion of what the town was all about, but left converted. The Zafiro Palace is a great option for families and young couples looking for a luxury all-inclusive experience and with daily flights to Majorca across the UK and convenient airport transfers to the resort from Palma airport, this property has become our new favourite hotel on the island.