I knew that on my trip to Barcelona and Madrid, I also wanted to go somewhere else in Spain that was “new” to me. I remembered a fellow traveler on an airplane showing me pictures of the island of Mallorca and telling me that it was his favorite place. Problem solved—Mallorca it was. Mallorca on points and miles (of course!) was about to become a reality instead of my “someday” dream.

I left Alex and Jess in Barcelona and took a quick (under an hour) flight on Vueling, booked through Iberia. This was a cheap cash flight, and I had “poor man’s economy class,” a.k.a. a whole row to myself!

The flight landed in Palma, the capital of Mallorca, where I met up with my daughter Lindsey. It is a dreamy city, with palm-lined promenades and a maze of narrow cobblestone streets much like Italy, and wandering streets is my favorite way to explore in places like that. It’s the kind of place where you can wander for hours and still stumble across hidden courtyards, centuries-old churches, and other gems. I definitely felt the Moorish architectural influence there, which was so interesting.

 

Palma (2 Days)

My daughter and I stayed at the Nobis Palma, booked with Marriott points at 80K points/night, and it quickly became one of my favorite hotels in the world from the minute we stepped through the enormous doors. Housed in a 12th-century building that is a former palace, the building itself is full of character and is so stylish and smells so good! The full review of this hotel will follow. Spoiler alert: it was the perfect place to spend my birthday!

 

 

Palma de Mallorca is the vibrant, sun-drenched capital of the Balearic Islands—a Mediterranean gem that blends historic charm, beachside beauty, and cosmopolitan flair. It is nestled along a sparkling bay with tiny cobblestone alleys. Be still, my heart—it spoke my language. We enjoyed a spa day and tons of exploring in this cute town. I also continued my habit of eating a lot of gelato.

 

 

 

 

 

La Seu (the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma) dominates the skyline with its Gothic grandeur, overlooking the sea. The Old Town is a maze of cobbled alleys, hidden courtyards, and historic mansions—perfect for wandering and boutique shopping. 

 

 

 

Exploring Mallorca (3 Days)

Mallorca was a perfect blend of Mediterranean vibes, making me feel as though I was in the south of France (the Provence region) or the Tuscany region of Italy. It was just gorgeous. From quaint villages to beautiful turquoise-blue beaches, I fell in love with this island off the coast of mainland Spain. 

Mallorca has more than 200 beaches, ranging from wide sandy stretches (like Playa de Muro) to hidden rocky coves. The southeast coast is known for secluded spots, while the north offers more family-friendly beaches and water sports. We primarily visited the beaches in the north.

 

Day One

We left Palma and traveled to three gorgeous towns, Sóller, Deià, and Valldemossa.  Each was stunningly beautiful but Valldemossa was my favorite and this was where we had lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We then headed to the Zoëtry Mallorca, where we planned to spend three nights. Read more about how that plan changed in this post.

 

Day Two

We headed to our next hotel Cap Vermell, which was previously the Park Hyatt Mallorca but changed branding in 2020. It is located in the northeast corner of Mallorca and is a 1.5-hour drive from the Zoëtry. I was intent on luxury for this part of the trip, so I paid cash for our stay. It was well worth it as this hotel is pure luxury in a gorgeous mountain setting. They had just opened for the season, so we virtually had the place to ourselves. 

The room, the food, and the service were just what I wanted for my birthday and Mother’s Day trip. I didn’t even feel bad paying for it since I rarely pay cash for a hotel. The breakfast buffet was incredible and included in the price (à la carte items were also included, including incredible dulce de leche waffles)!

It was raining when we arrived so we opted for a quick lunch at the tapas restaurant, and then some massages. Both were very much enjoyed. We ordered room service after our massages, and that, too, was surprisingly good. Although we did pay some money for some of our trip, getting to Mallorca on points and miles made it way more affordable!

 

 

 

 

 

Day Three

We were determined to see some beaches, so after a delicious breakfast, we went to two beaches that were very family-friendly and beautiful. We didn’t go in the water because it was still cold, but the views were lovely. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After checking out a few beaches, we went to the cute town of Capdepera and visited the old castle there. We then went to the hotel, had lunch by the pool, and finished our day with more massages!

 

 

We headed back to the Palma airport the next morning after breakfast, but thoroughly enjoyed the scenery along the way. Honestly, every view in Mallorca was gorgeous.

 

Bottom Line

I would absolutely return to Mallorca—because one trip just isn’t enough. The island has so much to offer, and I barely peeled back a layer. There are still charming little towns, more beaches, and gorgeous mountain trails waiting for me.  Mallorca is the kind of place that’s relaxing and exciting all at once. Whether you’re soaking up the sun, exploring with girlfriends, or just slowing down with a massage and a view, it’s the perfect reset. Mallorca on points and miles is a trip that I hope to hit repeat on!

 

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