When planning our 7 week stay in Mallorca this summer my girlfriend and I were trawling the Net looking for affordable accomodation. The search eventually threw up the Hostel Terramar in the PlacaMediterraneo just off Palma's posh Paseo Maritimo. On one side of the Paseo Maritimo is the harbour with some of Europe's smartest yachts while the other side is home to some of Mallorca's smartest restaurants, bars, hotels and people.
In the report I aim to tell you about the hostel itself, the prices, the staff and a little about the surrounding area and attractions.
The hostel has something to suit all needs including the cheapest rooms dormitory style (5 beds to a room), budget rooms (single or twin), en-suite rooms (single, double or even triple) and even 6 1-bed apartments.
We were staying in Palma for 5 weeks while my girlfriend was working there and plumped for an apartment which had just about everything we were looking for. It had a lounge/kitchen area with couch, microwave and dining table, a spacious and airy bedroom with two beds (it was a pushing together job rather than a double) and a small en-suite shower-room. In fact the picture accompanying the review is actually of our apartment's living room.
When we emailed to book they were prompt with reply and said they did not need a credit card number or anything like that to reserve with but just to email a few days in advance to confirm. Every query I sent them was replied to very well and quickly and dealing with them even before arrival was a pleasure. The deal they gave us was fantastic too as we got 1 week free for booking for 5 weeks so it only cost 1000 Euros (£600 approx at the time). For 5 weeks in high summer in the middle of Palma's "smart" area it was great! The other prices range from 17 Euros/night in a dorm room to 60 Euros/night for the triple en-suite room but remember that's with 3 sharing.
We found the apartment perfect for our needs in every way except that to be honest the en-suite was a little cramped and didn't have great ventilation, at least there weren't any sewage smells or anything like that. If you're staying in the apartments then they are cleaned weekly while rooms are done daily. Also if you ever need bin bags or toilet paper then all you need to do is ask.
The hostel itself has a manned reception desk that's open from 8am-8pm and phone numbers for late arrivals to call. It also has a coded entry system for security in evenings. If you give them your laundry they can do it (washing and drying) for 8 Euros a load. Also on site there is a large sun terrace with panoramic views of the city, a guest kitchen and dining area and a shaded terrace too.
The staff consists of 2 women and a man who are all English but also speak good Spanish and are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about what there is to do locally.
Nearby there are the bars and restaurants on the Paseo Maritimo which more than cater to every budget and where after dinner you can take a moonlit stroll with your ice-cream and admire the boats.
Down on the Paseo Maritimo buses leave for Cala Major, Palma Nova, Magaluf (worth a visit for a night you won't forget) and the Airport while if you walk up behind the hostel onto Placa Gomila then you can pick up a bus into the centre of town, or the train station.
I can't say enough for the location and although 5 weeks may be a bit boring in the same 4 walls as you can see above the views are stunning and the service offered must be one of the best for this type of accomodation. The only downside being the 130 steps from the Paseo Maritimo up to our apartment but even then it certainly helps you work off the calories you'll inevitably put on eating and drinking so well in this fine city.
There is also a sister hostel owned by the same owners called The Apuntadores situated right in the old part of the city centre too which I have heard rave reviews for. For more info visit palma-hostales.com.
Oh, and I have no idea why the review is under Barcelona Hostels but I guess that's the nearest place. Just to be sure this hostel is in Palma, MALLORCA (or Majorca if you prefer). Happy Travelling.
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