First time in Majorca: Ikos Porto Petro or Palma + Pollensa with a toddler?

[esgill]

We usually travel further afield but with our 2-year old would like to stay in Europe and we decided on Majorca in May, before it gets too hot/prices go up.

Narrowed it down to staying at Ikos for a week or a combination of 4 nights Palma (with a day trip to Soller) and 3 nights in Pollensa.

Which is the most beautiful/will be the best holiday?

Crikey, I wouldn’t do a two centre with a toddler!! Palma and Soller are more adult focussed. I’d book for a week in Puerto Pollensa. It’s gorgeous and really toddler friendly.

We’ll be going to ikos for the 4th time in June with our almost 4 year old DS. I do love soller and would love to do more exploring but a quiet holiday based around the pool/playground has suited us since DS arrived. You get the Tesla to take out for a day if you want so you can always use that to have a day out somewhere and the hotel will give you a picnic to take. They have car seats available too.

Palma nova is lovely for kids

You really don't need a 2 centre holiday in Mallorca. It's only an hour's drive from Puerto de Pollensa to Palma or Soller.

I can't comment on Ikos but Puerto de Pollensa is a lovely base with young DC. You could hire a car for a few days or make use of the excellent public transport or get a private hire if you want to explore a bit.

Pollensa is really, really lovely - I'd happily live there tbh! If you hire a car you can easily get to Palma and Soller, I couldn't be bothered to move hotels with a toddler.

Stay in Puerto Pollensa as people say. Prettiest beach in the world. Enjoy eating on pine walk while little one plays in sand virtually at your feet or on the lovely wooden play equipment. Drive or take bus to old town Pollensa or old town Alcudia. He can enjoy visiting the pirate sweetie shop and toy shops while you too wander the lovely cobbled streets.

That said May weather can be variable / very wet. June safer.

Mind you not sure where I’d stay in PP with a tiny. We have stayed in various Hoposa options from the lovely Uyal to
the illa D’or. A cheaper option is hoposa Pollensa Mar just behind the pine walk. But we had teens.

It’s a small resort. Not many huge hotels and all low rise.

Ah thank you this is a very knowledgeable forum :) we won’t be able to drive sadly. DH’s driving license (issued in another country) expired and he is awaiting taking the test again here.

Thanks for this. Do you find you can relax while there? Are there lots of safe places where your kids can run around without worrying they’re gonna fall into the sea/a pool/roll down a hill? Is it very beautiful? Would love a review from you, I can’t find that much about this particular Ikos from people with toddlers.

IKOS is amazing but it’s a total waste in Mallorca in my opinion. Mallorca is such a wonderful island, don’t waste it on an AI however luxurious it may be. Second previous comment about pine walk. Puerto pollensa is perfect

Fab thanks, where in Pollensa is the question now! Also, wondering how good the town is for vegans…

Ive been to Port de pollensa a few times and it's great for kids. Get thr ferry to platja de formentor which is fabulous. Tbh if youre considering ikos there i suppose thr four seasons will be a similar price (?)

If you dont have a car then stay somewhat central as taxis are hard to get ime in thr summer (although parking can also be a pita)

I havent ever stayed there without a car so my recommendations won't be useful hotel wise.

Puerto Pollensa is at the sea. Possibly one of the most beautiful seafronts in the world with shallow beach immediately abutting the walkway. Very clean water ideal for paddling. Town Square with restaurants and large centre square for children to play in.

The town of Pollensa is inland from it - an ancient town famous for the Via Calvari steps up to the ancient church and a viewing point over the whole of the countryside. Can climb the Puig Maria hill that overlooks the town and admire the goats. Buses (credit card tap on tap off) are cheap and run between the two (10-15 mins max journey) and to old town Alcudia. Taxis also good. Old town Alcudia is a magnificent Roman walled town like a mini Spanish York in the sun. You can walk some of the walls and read about the history. Inside the walls are narrow streets with lovely little shops and great restaurants.

Mallorca, particularly the North, is not an inexpensive choice. But you’ll eat well whether vegan or not.

The lack of a car is a shame - but if it’s only a week then may not be an issue.

Alternatively, if you’re shattered and just want a flop/ an easy nice hotel with good facilities for children and proximity to palma you could try the Barcelo hotel near palma. I haven’t stayed there but have looked at it a few times. That chain is usually pretty great and
I know that when we stayed with them elsewhere they did family suites so kid has own room. Usually great playgrounds and kids pool etc too.

Yes we choose here for a relaxing holiday. The grounds are extensive so lots of walking/running about to be done. There’s a big grassy area in front of the bar overlooking the harbour where we play football with DS. You can hire a toddler bike as soon as you arrive from where the gym is and keep it for your hol - those bikes where they have pedals and handle bars but a long handle so you can also steer them. There are golf carts between reception building and torre pool area so you don’t have to walk - DS loves the golf carts. He also loves the playground and you can request a room close to it. When we have been so many families with young children. Depends what you want from your holiday and how much you want to spend.

Pollensa is lovely, but we did have to deal with a LOT of jellyfish there at that time last year - really put the young children off the beach, which was annoying.

Just to be clear The seaside town is Port de Pollensa or Puerto Pollensa. Pollensa is an inland town.

The Ikos is on the edge of a small fishing town that has very little going on, although you can get the bus to Cala d'Or or Palma. There is one two-star hotel and five or six restaurants (some, if not all, of the board options at the Ikos include having dinner at some of those). The beach is small and (like all beaches in Spain) public, despite the attempts of the Ikos to pretend that it's private by putting their own sun loungers on it.

There's no need for two centres in Mallorca, which is the size of Essex. You can get around by bus for the odd day out. (Or, if you have an Ikos-sized budget, you can probably afford to go by taxi.) In Palma everyone goes to the cathedral, which is spectacular, but there is also the castle and Genova caves.

Puerto Pollensa is lovely, but so is Puerto Sóller. A less-known place that also has a bit of real character, but not many UK visitors, is Colonia Sant Jordi.

From (Puerto) Pollensa you can take a great day trip to (Puerto) Soller. Get the 231 bus over the mountains (an absolutely spectacular trip), then the old wooden train to Palma, and the regular 201 bus back. Or do that in reverse.

If you do take the wooden train, here's a tip. When the train pulls in to the station and the arriving passengers get off so you can get on, follow the locomotive as it shuttles round to the other end of the train, and as soon as it gets hitched up, go through the door into it from the last carriage. There you will find the first-class seats (comfy chairs and sofas), for which there is no extra charge.