I Botched Mallorca So You Don't Have To
Some destinations we absolutely nailed. Mallorca? We did great… but we could’ve done better.
We booked three nights and thought, “That’ll be plenty.”
Spoiler: it wasn’t.
Day Count Reality Check:
3 nights = regret
5 nights = you’ll still want more
7 nights = chef’s kiss
We’re sharing exactly what worked, what we’d redo, and what you should plan for your own trip so you don’t make our “too-short” mistake.
Each part of the island feels different - new landscapes, new towns, new moods. The people are sweet, the food is delicious, and everything feels beautifully laid-back.
It’s affordable, stylish, and way cooler than you’d expect.
By day two, I was ready to move there.Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Welcome to Mallorca: Spain’s Effortless Escape
We only ended up here because of a fluke flight deal: Austin → Mallorca via Amsterdam for 25K points.
It actually cost more points to stop in Amsterdam.
We shrugged, booked it, and somehow landed in paradise.
Mallorca is that perfect mix of laid-back locals, Mediterranean beauty, and good value. Each region feels like its own island. And that’s why it deserves more than a long weekend.
Getting There & Getting Around
Fly into Palma de Mallorca (PMI). From there you’ve got options:
Rent a car: the best way to explore multiple coasts, villages, and mountains.
Ride the Tren de Sóller: the vintage wooden train from Palma to Sóller winds through olive groves and tunnels with postcard-perfect views. Perfect if you don’t want to drive but still want to see the island’s heart.
Where We Stayed
Dreams Calvià Mallorca (1 night)
AluaSoul Mallorca Resort (2 nights)
Both booked through Hyatt.com and paid in cash with the World of Hyatt Credit Card… because points + perks = life.
Night 1 - Dreams Calvià Mallorca
Just a short walk from Magaluf Beach, this was our welcome night to the island.
Check-in came with a bottle of white wine (yes, please).
We hit the beach, grabbed dinner, and watched the nightlife come alive.
Is Magaluf touristy? Absolutely.
Was it fun? Also absolutely. Sometimes, touristy is exactly what you need — bright lights, beach bars, and zero expectations.
Day 2 - Deià & Sóller Road Trip
We wanted to explore Palma, see the cathedral, and visit the castle, but time was short.
Add One More Day Here:
Palma is beautiful and has so much to see. It’s also a great place to rent a boat. I would’ve spent the morning touring Bellver Castle and the Cathedral, then booked a half-day boat for sunset and dinner.
We decided to focus on Deià and Sóller, and honestly, that was the right call (though we still wished for another day).
Deià - The Mountain Muse
Deià clings to the Tramuntana Mountains - all stone houses, olive trees, and sea views that make you pull over “just to look.”
Lunch was at El Miró inside the legendary Belmond La Residencia, where every corner is a painting come to life.
If you can swing it, stay one night. If not, book lunch or cocktails, but do it a month in advance if you want their pool restaurant. They guard that place like the crown jewels.
It’s pure old-world glamor - terraced gardens, art everywhere, and the kind of quiet luxury that whispers instead of shouts.
Sóller - Mountains Meet the Sea
After lunch, we wound down the mountain roads toward Sóller. The drive is stunning — hairpin turns, green valleys, and ocean glimpses.
A tip: watch for signs warning where you can’t drive. I caught one just in time before we got fined (you’re welcome).
We parked outside town and walked in — and wow.
Sóller is magic: stone streets, cozy cafés, and a vintage wooden tram that trundles through town to the port.
We grabbed a glass of wine, watched the tram roll by, then hopped on board. No tickets needed ahead of time — you just pay once you’re on.
At the Port de Sóller, we walked the beach, ordered seafood and sangria, and toasted how lucky we were. Then, tram back, car loaded, and onward to our next stop.
Add Two Days Here:
One to explore Sóller.
One just to relax by the port.
AluaSoul Mallorca Resort - Our Beach Finale
Our last stop: AluaSoul Mallorca Resort, a beachfront Hyatt property that nails “affordable luxury.”
The beach was semi-private, calm, and utterly gorgeous - the polar opposite of the Instagram-famous beaches everyone flocks to.
Forget those overly filtered beaches you see online, this is the real deal.
Instagram vs. Reality - A Public Service Announcement
Let’s talk about the elephant in the feed.
We visited several “must-see” beaches from social media — and they were lies.
Crowded, chaotic, overhyped. Not one resembled the filtered fantasy online.
Here’s the truth:
Influencers crop out the crowds and filter the chaos.
Read real reviews and blogs by actual travelers.
Pay an expert if you can - not someone chasing likes.
Take it from us: do your research or your “dream beach day” might end with a sunburn and rage.
We marked several “top-rated” beaches, and every one of them was disappointing.
The Bargain
We landed on AluaSoul Mallorca Resort and once we saw that beach, that water, those drinks… we were in.
For this one, we paid cash instead of using points.
Pro Tip: Using points isn’t always the move.
Hyatt points are typically worth 1.8–2.27¢ each, but our 7Pines Sardinia redemption hit 4.44¢ - that’s the dream.
At €325 per night, including dinner and breakfast, this was a total bargain.
The Bougie
The beach bar, and yes - the drink served inside a pineapple.
Choices were made, and I regret nothing.
The Beach Club (lunch not included) was exceptional - tapas, seafood, and cocktails that hit just right.
Add One More Night Here:
It’s the perfect place to do absolutely nothing.
More of Mallorca - Beyond Our Route
Mallorca is so much more than the towns we touched:
Palma de Mallorca - the capital city, with a breathtaking cathedral, lively old town, and a food scene that can hold its own against Barcelona.
Valldemossa - another mountain village where time stops and flowers spill from balconies.
Cala d’Or & Cala Pi - east-coast coves with blue water and white sand.
Cap de Formentor - the northern tip, with cliffs that make you say “wow” out loud.
Every region has its own energy - mountains, beaches, and city life.
Add Two More Days to Explore the Other Side of the Island.
Mallorca’s Food & Drink Scene
Mallorca gets it right every time. Simple ingredients, bold flavors, and views that make everything taste better.
Fresh seafood paella on the beach.
Local almonds, olives, lemons, and oranges in everything.
Island wine, cava, and sangria for every mood.
Every meal feels like a celebration, every view a souvenir.
Why You Need to Go
Mallorca is effortless. It’s the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and sophistication - and you can do it without draining your savings.
Here, you can:
Hike mountains in the morning.
Swim in turquoise water by noon.
Sip sangria under olive trees at sunset.
It’s bougie meets balanced - and you’ll never want to leave.
TL;DR: The Bargain Bougie Breakdown
Our Must-Stay: AluaSoul Mallorca Resort (Hyatt)
The Bargain: €325 per night with meals included
The Bougie: Pineapple cocktails + beach club lunch + Balearic sunsets
Why Go: Mediterranean perfection — luxury meets laid-back
Final Day Count Verdict:
Book 7 days minimum.
3 = frustration. 5 = flirtation. 7 = fulfillment.
Plan Your Own Bargain Bougie Getaway
Ready to do Mallorca the right way?
Get in touch to book your free “How to Book Your Bargain Bougie Vacation” session. I’ll help you build your perfect balance of bargain and bougie.
