Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca: 3 Hotels We Loved
Palma has a ton of hotels and all the photos are promising, so deciding where to stay in Palma de Mallorca was harder than we expected. We researched so many, narrowed it down to these top three, and visited them all during our stay. But we only chose one as our actual accommodation, and it was absolutely the best hotel in Palma de Mallorca for us. We’ll tell you all about each one and who they’re best for, so you can decide which is right for your trip.
Best Hotel in Palma de Mallorca for Groups: Hotel Saratoga
Hotel Saratoga is the biggest of the three on our shortlist and it has the best pools, with three options including the one on the rooftop and an adults only pool. There’s also a spa, a fitness center, and plenty of dining choices. We loved the property but it was bigger than what we wanted for a couples trip. If you’re traveling with a group or a family, or you want to actually swim rather than take a dip, this is the best option. The Sky Bar on the top floor looks out over the cathedral and the port, and it’s calmer than some of the trendier rooftops and you can also have lunch or dinner here. A three night stay with breakfast ranged from $900 for a standard room to $1400 for a Jr. Suite (with more options available).
Pro Tips: This is a big, busy hotel, so some rooms pick up noise from the hallways and neighboring rooms. Standard rooms are small while the deluxe rooms are much roomier. Request a room with a view when you book.
Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca for the Neighborhood: Hotel Hostal Cuba
Hotel Hostal Cuba is in Santa Catalina, which is the best base for exploring food and drinks. It’s a small boutique hotel with 15 rooms, and despite the name, it isn’t a hostel. We’ll probably book this one next time, at least for a few nights, mainly for the location. You’ll be surrounded by the best restaurants and bars in the city. The rooftop has 360-degree views of the cathedral, the harbor, and the sea, it’s open to non-guests all day, and they serve a fantastic breakfast. A three night stay with breakfast ranged from $800 for a standard room to $1100 for a corner double room.
Pro Tip: The streets in this neighborhood are lively, as is the bar downstairs and the rooftop terrace. Santa Catalina gets a late crowd on weekends. Ask for a quieter room away from the street when you book, and plan for weeknights if you sleep lightly.
Our Favorite Hotel in Palma de Mallorca Overall: Nakar Hotel
We booked Nakar Hotel and are so glad we did. It’s an easy walk to the Old Town, the cathedral, the marina, and the restaurants, so we never needed a taxi once we arrived. That’s true of the other two recommendations on this list, but we just loved the posh boutique vibe here. The rooms are sleek and our suite with spa bath and balcony was super spacious for a city hotel. The spa downstairs is free for guests with a reservation, breakfast is included and comes with a view from the top-floor restaurant, and the rooftop pool looks straight at the cathedral. It’s guests only during the day and opens to the public at night, which means you get a quiet version during the day. It was still pretty mellow at night too. We loved it either way. You can read our full Nakar Hotel guide here: Nakar Hotel Palma de Mallorca: Is It Worth the Price?
Pro Tip: Book directly through the Nakar website and watch for deals. We paid $1,200 for three nights in a gorgeous suite at around 40% off for Black Friday. That’s the typical cost of a basic room with breakfast included. Some rooms cost $2500 for three nights, but they are beautifully designed.
Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca: Which Area Is Best?
Palma has a big-city feel even though it’s on an island, and the center is walkable enough that all three of these work as a base. All three have fantastic sky bars, which was an important feature for our stay. Nakar and Saratoga are both located a short walk from the Old Town, the cathedral, and the marina, with restaurants in every direction. Hostal Cuba is even more ideally located in Santa Catalina, which has so much character and an excellent food scene still in walking distance to everything else.
Planning Tip: We’d give Palma two or three days and spend the rest of the trip at a beach town elsewhere on the island. The city is great for restaurants, rooftops, and walking, but you have to experience Mallorca’s beaches, too.
👉 We were really happy with the resort we chose in Cala Ratjada. You can read all about it here: Cala Ratjada, Mallorca: Is It the Right Vibe for Your Trip?
Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca: Quick Picks
- Best overall: Nakar Hotel, central, posh, with a free guest spa, included breakfast, and amazing cathedral views
- Best for groups and families: Hotel Saratoga, the only one with full-size pools
- Best neighborhood: Hotel Hostal Cuba, in the middle of Santa Catalina’s restaurants and bars
- Best rooftop for ambiance: Nakar Hotel, guests only during the day and open to the public at night with music and a bar (though it’s very small)
- Best rooftop if you’re not staying at the hotel: Hotel Hostal Cuba is open to everyone all day
- Best rooftop for space: Hotel Saratoga has plenty of room and dining menus day and night
- Quietest room: Nakar Hotel, where double-pane windows kept out all the noise in our street-facing room
Where to Stay in Palma de Mallorca FAQs
What Is the Best Area to Stay in Palma de Mallorca?
Stay near the Old Town if you want views and walkability to the cathedral, the marina, and other sights. Stay in Santa Catalina if you’d rather be right near the best restaurants and bars in Palma. Both areas are central and walkable.
Which Palma Hotel Has the Best Rooftop?
Nakar has the best cathedral view and the best overall rooftop, though it’s small. Hostal Cuba has 360-degree views and is open to non-guests all day. Saratoga’s is more traditional and spacious with lunch and dinner menus.
Is Hostal Cuba Actually a Hostel?
No. It’s a 4-star boutique hotel with 15 rooms in Santa Catalina.
Do You Need a Car in Palma de Mallorca?
No. Palma is a walking city and all three of these hotels are central. We never needed one except to and from the airport. But you’ll need a car, tour, or driver for exploring the rest of the island.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Palma?
Two or three is enough to explore the restaurants, rooftops, cathedral, and Old Town. We’d spend the rest of the trip at a beach town elsewhere on the island. 👉 Cala Ratjada Hotels: Our Picks for Every Budget
How Much Do Hotels in Palma de Mallorca Cost?
Expect to pay between $800 and $1400 for three nights at these particular properties, including breakfast and free cancellation (but suites can cost a lot more). You can find budget options, but we were looking for something to add to our vacation experience.
Have you stayed in Palma? Let us know which hotel you picked in the comments.