Rural romantic hotel ideas

[Belladonna]

Sounds wonderful! Am now hinting / telling hubby that you dont always need to work, or stay, in the apartment just because its there! Would love to stay in La Residencia for a night too.

 

[Belladonna]

Romantic Itinary Please!

Well, I have convinced Hubby that we can afford a 5 night break in Reads Hotel for our 30th wedding anniversary at the end of the month!
I am SO excited to be staying there and have already booked a treatment in their spa - bit of a busmans holiday for me, but looking forward to it even more because of it..
I will of course do a full review of the hotel when we get back, but at the moment I have another request.
As we will be trying very hard not to venture near to PP this time, and so avoiding temptation just to "pop " in to check the apartment, I need some ideas for 3 days out. We are hiring a car for just 3 days and would like to try some different places driving out from Santa Maria. Nothing too strenuous or too long in the car. We are not usually there in high season very often, and dont want to spend time stuck behind too many cars and coaches if we can help it!
Are there easy pretty places to drive to, either inland or sneaky coastal ones? All ideas welcome, preferably just a little bit romantic!!

 

[Belladonna]

Romance is thin on the ground then!

 

[pollensa]

No it isn't. Anyway you are near to the railway line that goes to Soller so anywhere round there will be pretty although the train itself may be too busy to get on at any of the in-between stops. There are also some gardens just before you enter the tunnel to go through the mountains to Soller. I like Soller & Puerto Soller. Have a look on the excursions forum for more ideas.

We stayed at Read's a few years ago for one night in March. It was fabulous although the 7-course tasting menu we had in the restaurant was a bit much. The courses themselves were fine & nice & small. It was the different glass of wine we had with each course that did it. I don't remember tasting the dessert... They also have a bistro restaurant which looks nice. They were extending the spa when we were there so I'm sure it'll be lovely.

 

[sandy]

And if your doing Soller/Puerto Soller by car, why not drive round to Fornalutx which is supposed to be one of the prettiest villages in Mallorca.

 

[Belladonna]

Thank you. We have been to Soller a few times now, both by car and train, and also the gardens! ITs SO difficult finding new places isnt it? We have never really been beach people, so may do a couple of drives to a pretty coast somewhere with views and restaurant. Suggestions?

 

[JH02JLH]

Porto Petro is lovely - not much of a beach but some lovely restaurants overlooking the marina.

 

[Belladonna]

Thanks Jane, one on the list then!

 

[Portofan]

Hi Bella!

I see Jane beat me to it re Porto Petro!

And it was I who recommended her to go in the first place.

Two other ideas for you.

Puerto Andratx in the south west of the island, spoken so highly of in the Peter Kerr books, like Snowball Oranges, and read by a few of us on here three or four years ago.

And what about Avenue Jaume 111, in Palma city, with all those shoe shops you are so fond of. We might even get a new avatar!

With a nice relaxing lunch in the city after your shopping!

 

[Belladonna]

Excellent idea! Have read all his books and am taking Chris Stewart's new one (he of Driving Over Lemons) titled Three Ways to Capsize a Boat. Its about him sailing a Cornish Crabber around the Greek islands, not quite Mallorca, but still the Med.
Not sure about Palma though, hubbys blood pressure tends to rise for some reason there!

 

[favie]

Not sure about Palma though, hubbys blood pressure tends to rise for some reason there!

I wonder why Bella.....too many shoe shops maybe!!

Wow!! Reads.....what a lovely way to spend your Anniversary....one I would love to visit one day....look forward to reading your reviews!
If not Palma, then Porto's other idea, Puerto Andratx, I hear it is really worth a visit. Santa Maria itself sounds a lovely little place....with shops!!!
Wherever you might visit, if you can drag yourself away from the wonderful Reads, I hope you have a great Anniversary

 

[Belladonna]

Thank you very much! Counting the days now and hanging up the dresses! You are spot on with the Palma shoe shops too! LOL! Hubby seems to want to explore the west coast for some reason, (probably because he thinks there are no shops there!) as we havent really explored there - except the North, Soller and Deia.
What is actually there to explore??

 

[its cd]

Have you been to Valdermosa or a place further on from andraitx called San tell I think
It is a pretty little place long winding road to get there though
Actually I think you can Visit one of the islands from the harbour

 

[Belladonna]

Done the Valdermossa trip a few times, but hubby says the rest sounds like exactly what he wants to do. Will have to get the maps out I think!

 

[snowy2007]

Bella lets get real, nice meal couple bottles of wine, coffee and drinks outside. steves ready for bed, soon fast asleep what more could you want. LOL

 

[RobnAnna]

Its Sant Elm .The road was pretty unnerving at times especially when coaches and lorries were coming the other way.Well worth the trip for birdwatchers and those that like a smaller,more peaceful place.i had the best gazpacho I have ever had here at a restaurant overlooking the bay towards Isla Dragonera.Its been a while since the last visit.Thanks for jogging my memory.it will be a nice extra for August.Hope the road has improved!

 

[Belladonna]

No comment to you Snows! LOL! Yes, R&D, hubby would like to go to Dragonara actually, and if we can do the drive up to Alaro -albeit with me holding on to the seat and not saying a word all they way up - then we can manage anything! LOL! Also, I LOVE gazpacho! Thanks for info.

 

[susiejb]

Hi Belladonna - just finished reading Selina Scott's - A Long Walk Through the High Hills. There are lots of references to that area and it sounds as if its worth a visit.
Have you been down to Sa Colobra - now that is scary - or try Valldemosa harbour.................thats even worse!
Have fun.

 

[Belladonna]

Hi Susie, yes, done both of those, but havent read Selinas book, Ill look out for that one, thanks!

 

[pollensa]

but havent read Selinas book, Ill look out for that one, thanks!

I added it to our fiction list recently - looks interesting www.puertopollensa.com/Books2.html#fiction - am not sure if it's romantic though!