Hotel Illa d'Or

An arched carved-stone entrance and long wood-beam portico immediately set a tone of old-school elegance for the upmarket Hotel Illa d'Or. A polished brass plaque references the property's late-1920s origins, while guests are met by a neatly uniformed doorman, luggage taken, and ushered to take a seat at the sit-down front desk. The lobby is a classy and swish combination of crisp white walls, cream-colored marble floors, and gold-topped tables, all illuminated by luminous ringed ceiling lights. Renovations between 2013 to 2015 have rendered much of the property close to pristine, with immaculate hallways continuing in the signature white-and-gold, plus regular modern artworks, lily bouquets, and sepia-toned photographs depicting the hotel's illustrious past. To the rear, spacious terraces, a small sandy beach, and private jetty overlook the clear turquoise waters of Pollensa's bay. Originally built as a summer retreat, the property maintains the exclusive atmosphere of a private mansion, attracting mostly an older crowd (with many repeat customers). It also hosts the occasional celeb -- Annie Lennox and Ricky Martin have both been guests.

The hotel is located in Majorca's popular resort town of Port de Pollensa, in the northeast of the island at the end of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Situated towards the far northern end of the seafront "Pine Walk" promenade, the hotel offers a particularly picturesque and peaceful setting, shaded by pine trees and overlooking Pollensa bay's calm and clear waters. Set away from the main town center, however, there are few dining options in the immediate surrounds; the resort's numerous bars and restaurants are 10 to 15 minutes away on foot. Less than 20 minutes' drive is the unspoiled beach of Formentor. Palma and its beautiful Old Town can be reached in just under an hour by car, while Palma de Mallorca Airport is around the same distance.

The 120 rooms all received a total makeover in 2014 and 2015, creating light and contemporary-styled interiors with beach-chic touches. Cool, white minimalist furnishings and coordinating fabrics combine with paint-washed wood and pebble coat hooks, for example. Rooms vary in size and some Standard Rooms are on the small side (upgraded rooms guarantee more space and Standard Rooms without balconies tend to be larger). Most rooms have at least side sea views, while a handful feature expansive terraces with panoramic vistas. Amenities include well-stocked minibars (with beer, spirits, and wine), free and reliable Wi-Fi, and 32- or 40-inch flat-screen TVs with plenty of English-speaking channels. Upgraded rooms and suites add Nespresso machines and bathrobes, while Standard Rooms lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. Though bathrooms are modern, their old-fashioned hose-style hairdryers and generic toiletries are a bit of a letdown. Most have shower/tub combos, while Suites add hydromassage bathtubs. Attic Rooms with sloping ceilings and skylights are also available, though tend to lack views and are not to everyone's taste.

Hotel Illa d'Or has a solid range of facilities for its clientele that primarily consists of couples. However, while the main swimming pool has plenty of cushioned loungers surrounding it and has partial sea views, it's fairly small and is in the shade until the afternoon, so it can be cold. It also lacks poolside bar service. Opened in 2015, the spa is a clinically white, futuristic space with large sauna and steam bath, ice machine, and therapy pool with various water jet and whirlpool functions. A wellness center upstairs offers a full range of body and face treatments. There's also a modern fitness room with up-to-date equipment, and guests can use a tennis court and secure storage for bikes with basic tools. A private jetty offers regular boat trips and charters around the island.Breakfast service is a well-presented buffet of the usual scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit, fresh juice, cereals, and an excellent breads selection, as well as a menu of crepes, omelets, and cooked-to-order eggs. Half-board rates with breakfast included are available. A range of smoothies and fancier breakfast dishes are available for extra. La Terraza restaurant is open for lunch and dinner on an alfresco terrace overlooking the sea, while the Restaurant 1929 is open for dinner (with a good range of set meals covered in the half-board). A terrace bar specializes in gin and tonics, accompanied by sea views and sunsets.