Mallorca offers many types of accommodation and there's an option to suit every taste and budget. Most visitors to Mallorca stay in an aparthotel, hotel or hostal, but there are options for those wanting something different - charming hotels with unique and classy styles, agrotourism and private villa or holiday home rental. Below you can find information and tips to help you decide which is the best type of accommodation for you.

Mallorca offers hotels, ranging from basic 1-star hotels in central locations to luxurious 5-star resorts and spas in beautiful and relaxing surroundings.

Aparthotels are hotels that are aimed at families or groups wishing to stay in the same apartment and at those wanting more space or wishing to self-cater during their holiday. Most aparthotels offer 1-2 bedroom apartments and smaller studio apartments. In a studio apartment, the sofas are usually turned into beds, while larger apartments have normal beds in the bedrooms, but also allow for sofas in the living space to be turned into beds to accomodate more people.

In an aparthotel, you will usually find a small kitchenette with basic cooking utensils and dishes, a dining area, a bathroom and a balcony or terrace. In a studio apartment the kitchenette, dining area, living space and sleeping area are all combined in one larger room while in larger apartments the kitchenette and dining area are normally combined with a living room and bedrooms are like normal hotel rooms.

Booking:

Aparthotel and hotel rooms can be booked as part of a package holiday, directly by contacting the hotel or through online booking services.

Hostels are a cheap option for those who get by with a very basic accommodation as hostels usually provide only the basic necessities of beds and bathroom. However some do offer extras like a balcony, swimming pool or airconditioning, which may come only with an extra charge.

Some hostels are combined with a restaurant and breakfast may be included in the price of your stay or a discount given to you when eating at that restaurant.

It is common for hostels to have their reception open only certain times of the day and the language skills of the receptionists may be very limited. It is a good idea to bring along a printed copy of your reservation information to avoid misunderstandings. If you plan to arrive outside of the reception's opening hours, like late in the evening, arrange already in advance for someone to be there to check you in or at least provide you with the key to your room.

Booking:

Hostels are most commonly booked through online booking services.

A private villa is a good choice for those looking for privacy or for a larger group of people wanting to stay under the same roof. Even a beautiful seaside villa may turn out to be a more economic option than a 3-star aparthotel when the villa is used at maximum capacity.

Private holiday homes range from small studio apartments to huge estates and everything in between. Just like with hotels, a private rental may or may not have airconditioning or a safety deposit box, but a kitchen is standard in all as these are usually intended as permanent or long term residences. First time private holiday home renters should be aware that there are differences in renting a private holiday home versus booking a hotel. The most important considerations are covered here.

Things to consider when choosing a holiday home:

Agrotourism is the choice for those wanting to see a more authentic Mallorca, away from the mass tourism, and for those wishing to travel with a smaller ecological footprint. Agrotourism accommodation is usually in an old farm house or finca and fresh produce from the surrounding farmland is often used in the food served there. The use of old existing buildings helps preserve the culturally valuable landscape and architecture in tact and the use of local produce provides jobs for locals and eliminates unneccessary transport of foods from further away, reducing pollution and the amount of wear and tear on roads. Agrotourism is gaining popularity in Mallorca and there are lots of options to choose from. Accommodation takes place in hotel rooms or apartments renovated into fincas forming a small hotel or sometimes in a private finca rental.

Booking:

Agrotourism booking is usually done directly with the hotel or finca owner or through their website or in the case of private fincas through a rental service company.