Cloud and Cocktails
03/05/22 - 07/05/22
A girls break seemed fitting following finishing our second year at university, and it didn’t take either of us much convincing after finding some rather bargain deals. Following a search on Skyscanner, Jet2 and TUI, I decided to book a trip to Mallorca, Spain.
As someone who is partial to a cheap Ryanair flight and a well-reviewed Airbnb apartment, booking package deals is a little different, but for the trip we were looking for, it tied in with the ‘easy’ week perfectly. Of course, I still spent a few hours comparing offers and ensuring we weren’t paying an extra fortune through third party companies, but other than that the booking process was fairly smooth.
Through Love holidays, we secured 4 nights at hotel Costa Del Sol on a room only basis, including flights, 20kg of luggage between us, transfers and the accommodation for just £220. We spread the payments across 3 months with a £39.99 deposit and 3 £60 instalments.
Prior to our flight, we were rather cautious about the current airport ‘situations’, so we arrived at Birmingham airport 4 hours before departure…and then waited 2 hours before being allowed to check-in. After dropping off our luggage we then joined the queue for security.
*I realised after the holiday Love holidays had sent us both a fast track for the security queue which having realised would have saved a lot of anxiety.
After being stood practically standstill in the line for around an hour, members of staff at the airport began calling out flight numbers and pulling people from the queue. 20 minutes before boarding closed, we were pulled. But obviously it couldn’t have been as easy as going straight through, I just had to leave a nail vanish at the bottom of my bag, leaving us 3 minutes to run through duty free to our gate…which then got delayed an hour as we got there.
After a short, sweaty flight and an hour and a half on the, I’m glad to say airconned, transfer, we arrived at our hotel. You know that feeling when you’re sat on a bus with 10/15 other groups of people and you’re silently judging the hotels everyone is at, hoping yours isn’t the third stop that more than likely wasn’t the same hotel advertised online, well luckily for us I felt rather proud getting off the bus at our stop, being greeted with beige steps, white pillars and a clear glass wall with signs to the spa.
Holliday had began.
First impressions weren’t too shabby. 3 large pools, beach cabanas around the adults only pool, a stone’s throw from the sea and a very modern hotel room. I don’t know about everyone else but arriving to a bed made up with covers like your nan’s curtains can deter from the excitement of the first night sleep, so I was best pleased to see the fresh white bedding. Our ‘standard junior suit’ also came with a balcony overlooking the main pool, a walkway giving easy access and a clear view of the children’s pool and a well sized bed. As the hotel was around a 20-minute walk from the centre, there was also a small shop providing all the necessities on site and a restaurant/bar next door.
I will say now that if you are looking for a getaway that doesn’t involve a few taxi rides to the centre of town then it may not be for you, however, if you are seeking a lovely hotel situated not too far from either old town Pollensa and Alcúdia, this is the one for you, or of course it is perfect for an all-inclusive couples or family break.
Anyway, moving on from the hotel, we decided to visit the restaurant next-door on our first evening, The Hideout. For starters we had calamari and a larger than large spring role, and for mains we shared a tapas board, consisting of bacon wrapped chorizo, vine leaves, olives, bruschetta, melon, potato bravas and croquets, and of course a healthy number of cocktails on the side. Cocktail wise they weren’t freshly made drinks, rather cocktails out the cans poured into a glass, but the staff did make us aware and they went down a treat non the less, but potentially something to consider if you are planning on paying them a visit.
I won’t venture into too much detail about each day, but I will share my recommendations.
In Pollensa, the streets are filled with souvenir shops, bars and restaurants, many with beach front views. The sandy beach stretches far beyond the initial restaurants, with parks for children on the left and strips of sun-beds.
For lunch, we stopped at Mamboreta. We shared a seafood and chorizo paella between two of us, even though there was enough for 4! We also enjoyed a few cocktails each, strawberry daiquiris all around for me. The food was delicious, the staff were lovely and the classic 'dinner with a view' expectation was well and truly met.
After a stroll along the beach towards the town, there's a frozen yoghurt shop with options for sweet and chocolatey or a healthy snack for a small price, I can not remember the name but I promise I will do some research!
During our second day, we payed a visit to Alcúdia town. Here we tried ice cream from SA GELATERIA, and yet another tapas board at Bistro Plaza restaurant. The cobble streets and rustic buildings set the perfect Spanish scene, with local shops lining the town selling handmade items and of course the cheesy souvenirs.
Last but not least, my favourite restaurant of the week was by far DKT Plaza. Chicken tacos, ribs, nachos, calamari, chicken salad, cocktails and desperadoes, two meals with amazing service. The lady who worked behind the bar was lovely and accommodating and indulged us with numerous free shots. The best one being a cola bottle shot, containing lime liquor and caballero. The bar across the way also welcomed us from the restaurant with amazing service, replacing my cocktail with one better suited for free.
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