I am sure I am not alone in saying that when I hear Mallorca, I automatically think of 'boozed-up Brits abroad' in Magaluf, coming of age 6th form holidays in Santa Ponsa and bikini-clad bombshells fighting over the same man on Love Island.
But after a trip to the south of the beautiful Balearic Island in Spain, Mallorca (or Majorca) will forever be sketched into my mind for having the bluest seas I ever did see. In June, I flew from Belfast International Airport to Palma to explore one of the Island's hidden gems.
I stayed at the Hotel Honucai situated on the southeast coast of Mallorca in the town of Colònia de Sant Jordi, which was a 40-minute transfer from the airport. The Hotel Honucia is a 4* boutique hotel with a spa, a gym, a stunning rooftop bar with a plunge pool and restaurant overlooking the beach and port.
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From the moment we arrived, the hotel team were incredibly welcoming - a theme I found with everyone we met on our trip to Colònia de Sant Jordi. We were immediately greeted by friendly faces and taken to the ground floor restaurant, Salicornia, which specialises in grilled fish and seafood and opens out on the promenade just meters from the water.
Although I like fish, it usually wouldn't be my top pick when ordering out at a restaurant so the tasting menu experience at Salicornia allowed me to taste dishes I would probably never have thought of twice - coming home to Belfast with a taste for tuna tartare and scallops.
Head chef Pablo Thomas created so many beautiful dishes with fish and ingredients native to Mallorca that I felt incredibly spoilt having the opportunity to taste it while not even having to leave the comforts of the hotel. I had a top-floor room with my own balcony and sea view - it was the perfect size for anyone travelling alone or a couple and being able to see the sunrise as I got ready in the morning was a serious bonus.
As for Colònia de Sant Jordi as a holiday location, it has the most relaxed, chilled-out atmosphere that could be felt from the moment you stepped onto the promenade. It was lovely to just sit outside the hotel or up on the rooftop in the sun and watch the people going about their day enjoying the heat and the beauty of the area around them.
A far stretch away from the sleeping all day, partying all night attitude I took on my last visit to Mallorca when I was 18 in Santa Ponsa, there was so much to do and see in the area that there was no way I could have done it all in my short three-day stint. Some of my highlights included harvesting my own salt that I was able to take home with me at Flor de Sal, Ses Salines d’EsTrenc and visiting Cala Figuera, a fisherman's village hidden among rocky cliffs, pine and fig trees.
I was also able to witness the ‘Art of Ronquero’ held at Salicornia, a unique experience that I'd imagine only a few will get to experience in their lifetime. While it may not be for the faint-hearted, watching the ritualistic skill put into the butchering of the fresh tuna and being able to taste the freshest sashimi straight off the bone was an honour that I won't forget anytime soon.
What really stood out to me and has me already looking up flights to come back was a boat trip with Náutica Colonia. Not only did they take us on the most incredible tour of secret beaches and coves along the island, but they are also dedicated to taking care of the area, protecting it and teaching all those who visit it the best way to preserve it.
Everyone needs to come here to witness just how blue and clear the water was - as cliche as it is, it felt like I was in a movie being able to jump off the boat and experience swimming in an area as picturesque as it.
Hotel Honucai, Colònia de Sant Jordi and the blue Mallorcan waters have captured my heart and it is the perfect location to sign off and enjoy the summer with a cocktail in hand.
For more information about Hotel Honucai, see here or watch a tour of the hotel here. To find out more about Salicornia and its menu, see here.
*Standard room from £95/night. Breakfast included. Suite from £189/night. Breakfast included*
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