The Place
Up here in the north of the island, on the fringes of the Tramuntana mountains, tourism has always had a different face from elsewhere on Mallorca and perhaps especially from the south-west. As early as the 1950s, the English were coming to this corner. They found it suited their idea of a family holiday, and the little bay of Cala Sant Vicent, with the Hotel Niu, fit the niche exactly. From outside, the hotel looks a little unkempt: but put that down to its exposed seaside position.
Inside, you’ll find all in good order. The bar, and the beautiful sitting room giving on to the terrace, are furnished in Ibizan style, with pretty cane furniture, tables fashioned from white plaster pedestals, and upholstered stone benches. The rooms have quite grand cast-iron canopied beds and pleasing sisal carpets. Not all have sea views, so specify this when booking. The food is good, plain Mallorcan fare. Hotel staff are very attentive, but sometimes the service is rather stretched; when the pressure is on, some of them can be less sunny than usual.