* The sunset in “Port de Soller”
So a few months back the boy and I decided we should look into booking ourselves a well deserved trip somewhere sunny and relaxing.
Now I am the worst person when it comes to organising a holiday, I start with the mind set of “Oh I don’t mind where we go – anywhere really”…….and then develop this ridiculous often unobtainable criteria. I have no idea why this happens, perhaps because we work so hard that “play time” should be exactly that…..time to play. No interuptions. No inconvenience . No room for anything that isn’t a great big shiny TEN OUT OF TEN.
I know. I am difficult to please.
The thing is actually why shouldn’t we all expect the best? I have been sorely disappointed with many a “boutique” hotel of late and frankly if I am shelling out my hard earned dollar for a service I expect it to fall into at least the “Very Good” if not the “Excellent” end of the scale.
And my requirements for this particular getaway?
1) A pretty well-maintained small hotel ( I wanted to avoid that whole large hotel corporate ambience/rugby scrum at the buffet table scenario)
2) A relatively short under-2-hours-if-possible flight time ( If you only have 7 days who wants to spend 24 hours in journey time?)
3) Somewhere within a reasonable walking distance to a town with shops, restaurants and things to see and do.
4) Somewhere that felt like we were there….. as in not just any hotel on a beach that could be any hotel on any beach……make sense?
All in all my demands compared to usual were not too bad. Um….. so you would think it would be easy right?
Wrong.
I won’t bore you with the details of the O’Shea plight, instead I just want to tell you about the great places we discovered in Mallorca so that you too can enjoy them too – either for a romantic retreat or indeed an idillic Mini- moon.
Now first things first – please bare with me on the images, some are ok and taken with the D90, some are shocking and taken with our click-and-shoot mostly under the influence of too many cocktails. I couldn’t not illustrate this piece though so I have done the best I can with what I have 
* The entrance to our room, stunning blooms and me wearing the yellow cardigan from the Park Life post. HAD to buy it.
Some people agree some people don’t but I can’t help but check Trip Advisor all the hotels we consider. I don’t take much notice of every single little moan and groan from the general public ( Jeez you wouldn’t go anywhere!) but I do use it for the top rated recommendations per area/location and certainly what places to definitely avoid.
Flights to Mallorca were easy peasy, Birmingham to Palma with Monarch, under 2 hours each way and under £200 per person. Coolio. That just left accommodation then and Trip Advisor came up trumps with CA’s Curial, a little slice of citrus heaven an 8 minute walk away from beautiful town of Soller on the North West coast.
I say citrus and I literally mean just that – lemons and oranges. The hotel is a converted family run Finca set amongst fruit trees and some of the most beautiful and vibrant blooms you have ever seen. You can’t book via an agent ( believe me we spent hours looking), instead you organise your stay directly with the hotel – we dealt with Andres “Senior” who via a couple of emails has us all ready for arrival on the 7th June in a Junior Suite for the price of a standard room.
Bargain.
After hopping into a private taxi (also organised by Andres) and a 30 minutes drive later we were there. And let me tell you lovelies it is really quite magical.
I’m not talking fancy flat-screen TV’s or satin sheets or bathrooms with a generous helping of Molton Brown hand soap. I’m talking minimal, spotlessly clean, ridiculously rustic, and very very peaceful.
If you want to get away from it all and make like you are in some secluded spanish paradise then CA’s Curial may be just the place you’ve been searching for.
There isn’t a walk-in -and-request restaurant as such but lunch and dinner can be ordered on the morning of the day you require it and served either indoors on a variety of mismatched tables and chairs or on the ( gorgeous) outdoor patio in amongst the hot pink geraniums and the sunshine. We ate there twice and both times experienced a genuine home made four course selection of delicious treats.
Breakfast is served in the same area and comes inclusive of room rates. There is an abundance of pastries ( the vanilla croissants are to-die-for), cereals, fruit, cheeses, breads and fresh juices. There is also the option to order eggs anyway-you-like and a continuous flow of tea and coffee.
* Dine Al Fresco by candlelight on CA’s Curial’s pretty patio
There is also an “honesty” bar in the pool area that stocks not only a vast array of beers and soft drinks but also any ice cream you could possibly imagine. Completely dreamy and fantastically detrimental to your waistline.
SO worth it though 
As I mentioned the town of Soller was just an 8 minute stroll away via CA’s Curial’s stone paved path lined with lavender and roses ( I know it sounds just like something out of a fairytale novel – it kind of was). There are plenty of cafes, bars and places to eat and you can chose from tapas, italian, seafood or a more traditional british cuisine. There really is something for everyone.
* The lavender lined path to Soller – smells heavenly
There are also a whole bunch of independent clothing stores, pharmacies ( I ruddy love a pharmacy!) and amazing little places selling anything from contemporary jewellery to unusual pieces of art.
If you prefer something a little more bright lights/cosmopolitan the city of Palma on the south coast is just an hours train ride away through the mountains. To be honest if you’re not even interested in Palma it’s worth going for the journey alone, the views are breathtaking and the train itself is an old fashioned wooden curiosity.
* Trying to walk in a straight line after too many bellini’s at Esplendido, the view from the restaurant.
Another place near by worth a butchers was the “port de soller” which is a 15 minute taxi ride or 30 minutes on the tram, expect to pay around 8 euros per person for travel. We visited the port both in the day to mooch along the promenade and again in the evening to dine at “Esplendido” which over looks the harbour. In stark contrast to CA’s Curial this is a REAL boutique chic hotel with spectacular interior decor and one of the sexiest bar/veranda’s I have ever laid eyes on. Think bellini’s and fresh strawberry sorbet whilst you admire the sunset.
Renowned for catering for young children Esplendido is the perfect place for families who still expect the highest standard of facilities for their little ones but don’t want to compromise on style, luxury and romance.
It’s a shame we didn’t visit until our last night as we would have certainly returned.
* Catching some flare by the pool at CA’s Curial
So there you have it. A little oasis of calm only 2 hours away.
Do let us know where you ladies have planned for your mini-moon and if there is anywhere the RMW team should have a peak at. Any excuse to get lost in daydreams of holiday happiness.
Big Mallorca Love
Charlotte xxx
Gorgeous Charlotte! Looks devine! I too have a seach criteria as long as my arm and a small hotel is always top of the list!
Looking forward to my hmoon in Sorrento now!
x x x
My favourite island! (Well number two behind good ol’ Britain!) I can’t wait for next September when we are shooting a wedding there, we could just go over for the wedding but it really would be rude not to stay an extra few nights! (read fortnight!!)
Now that’s what I call a find! I have a soft spot for Mallorca, it’s where we got engaged. I heart it. x
Wow loving the lavender lined path! Fab post, as usual wish I wish there already x
OMG OMG I love Soller and Port de soller – its the only holiday place that i have gone back twice. Stayed at Esplendido both times and it was tres fabulous! The food and cocktails are divine!
A little secret…this is the place my boyfriend and i would like to get married, so when he (finally
)gets round to proposing am hoping to make that a reality…
Ooh the RMW ladies have suuch great taste!
Charlotte – loving the outfits as ever!
Rachie xo
Great photos – really evocative. I’ve been drooling over a few Mallorcan hotels recently when researching for my own site – I hadn’t realised just how many gorgeous places there are on the island. Will definitely be adding this one to my bookmarks.
Hi Lovelies!
Sarah – Am jealous. Sooooo want to go to Sorrento!!
Laura – Am also jealous of you, what an amazing location! and yes would be rude – you must stay
Holly – What a romantic place for an engagement, I heart it too!
Roz – I know it was so beautiful, I took many photo’s!
Rachie – Bless you Pet, I love it that non-engaged read RMW and makes you excited for when you actually are, it will be soon I bet!
Emma – Thanks so much! half the time I have zero idea of what I am doing behind a camera but I love capturing memories almost as much as I love writing this blog. Also I have your email and am replying – it is rather an essay I’m afraid! all will be explained!
Charlotte xxx
Stunning place!! Thank you so much for sharing! Added to my list of places I absolutely definitely want to go to
Oh and loving the lens flare photo’s!! I love a bit of lens flare
Your photos are fantastic and it looks like such a wonderful place to visit. I love the lavender lined pathway. It must have smelt amazing!! I might have to see if the h2b wants to go there on our minimoon.
and I just love the depth of field in your shots. I would pick you to photograph my wedding any day!! X
I hope you don’t mind me asking but have got a standard lens on your d90 or have you got something extra? I’m keen on photography myself (i like to think im fairly good at it but i am sure i’m not
Oooooooh we stayed at C’as Curial last September (as our -1 wedding anniversary…any excuse) – it was so lovely. I’m very excited that it is on the blog! xxx
Oooh fab post! Looks like you found a real slice of heaven. What a gorgeous place. The pics have really given a good feel for the whole place. How refreshing to think you can find a place in such a location with quiet/lavender/sunsets etc and only a short stroll to some life, shops etc..No hire car required! brilliant.
Oh and totally agree, you can’t beat a good pharmacy!! Particularly in France
Am like moth to flame as soon as I see a winking green cross sign!
Have bookmarked for future mini-moon trawl purposes. Golly, it looks like just the sort of place we would love, too. xx p.s. you two are such a gorgeous couple Charlotte!
Panic Button – Ha Ha me too – any setting sun and the D90 is out!!!!!
Hannah – bless you, well you never know, Adam is a really great photographer ( I don’t tell him often as his head is big enough from all the praise he gets on here) so maybe we could start RMW photography! ha ha. The lens used mostly here is a 50 mm 1.8 quite cheap ( £80?) lens from jessops.
PippyPoppy – Oh yay! I was hoping someone would have heard of it/been. It’s so difficult to get across just how lovely it is in the “flesh” as it were.
Fleur – you are very very sweet, especially as we are incredibly hot and bothered/suncreamed to the max in that shot!! And like you if I see a green cross sign I am so THERE. France is the best
Charlotte xxx
Erm, you and Mr O are going to have the world’s most gorgeous, genetically superior babies. Fact.
Am so glad there’s someone else obsessed with TripAdvisor – I can lose hours of my life on there! You’re right though…you really do have to take the comments “in the round”…comments from poncy folk bemoaning the lack of butler need to be ignored.
This place looks absolutely beautiful. I love your pictures, and I want to leave the office right this second and flop face-down into that lavender.
Hey, so weird, just gotten back from my 5 day hen do in Majorca and logged on to RMW and saw this post!!
I spent some of it in Palma and some of it in Illetas just down the coast. I too have a majot soft spot for Majorca and when I was thinking of where to go for a long weekend of chic/city/culture but also beach/sunbathing action, the answer seemed too obvious!
Can hardly string a sentence together right now and have SO much to catch up on RMW since last Thursday but Charlotte, love this post and you, as always, look FAB.
Glad you had a good break xxx
Lovely post, lovely photos and lovely outfits. Ahhh, lovely. Excellent timing (well, terrible from a work productivity perspective but oh well) as I’m off to Cyprus on Saturday so sunshine and a cocktail induced wobbly walk are EXACTLY what I wanted to see – thank you x
We’re having a minimoon but the future Mr Sarah B won’t tell me where to. Gah! I will be leaving this page up on his laptop for when he gets home though, just in case he’s not booked anything yet! If you read this, future Mr Sarah B, it looks a fab place, hint, hint.
oh you’ve really sold it to me it looks lovely x
I just have to ask where you got those fab Maxi dresses from? You look stunning!
It looks lush. I’m off to investigate the website…
For those of you who are thinking about Sorrento, you absolutely must stay at La Minervatta:
http://www.laminervetta.com/
It’s the most amazing hotel I’ve ever stayed in. It’s incredibly laid back, cool and romantic. I want to go back now!
Oh ladies you are so kind, especially as I was having a general “I look like a dogs dinner” for the majority of the holiday ( eczema was bad, hair was frizz bomb etc etc)
Anna K – Yay! Trip Advisor is great – I wouldn’t have found this place had it not been for that. Some of the moans make me laugh though ” I am rating it 3 out of 5 as my room service order was 3 minutes late” – jokers eh?
AJS – Oh fancy! Do send us some pics, would love to see
Sarah B – You should so hint, it is VERY romantic and pretty, I’m sure where ever he has booked though will be amazing, what a lovely gesture!
Bee – Honestly it was lovely, so laid back and friendly, the family couldn’t do enough for you.
Marlene – I am a Maxi whore!!! The first grey one with yellow was River Island and the striped one by the pool was Full Circle – Full Circle still have them I think, happy shopping!
H – I want to go to Sorrento………
Charlotte xxx
OMG CHARLOTTE!!
I must have that beautiful floral Maxi .. i looked on the River Island website but cannot find it! HELP!!
much lovely-ness!
Lisa x
I want to book lots of holidays now, I can just imagine skipping down the lavender path! Speaking of Sorrento in a few hours we are jetting off to get married there on Tuesday! I am past myself with excitement at the moment and am enjoying my last RMW visit as a mrs to be! I will definitely be back after my wedding as I can’t give up on my twice daily visits here! (more than that actually!)
Louise.x.x.x
Hi Lisa! Oh dear Pet I can’t find it either – I did purchase it the beginning of June though
a similar shape is a black floral maxi with a lace trim that is lovely – product code 592122 – I want it!!!
Louise – HUGE congratulations!!!!! You must send pics ! Have an amazing day – I know you will Hun.
Charlotte xxx
The scenery was absolutely breathtaking! I’m sure you didn’t have any problems connecting with your surrounding. I loved the garden like flowers that graced the entryway to your hotel room.
It looks like you both had an amazing time! I too check trip advisor before I book anywhere! It is a savior. And that lavender path… to die for!
Louise xx
Just lovely, lovely! Myself and Mr2be have the same criteria when we go away – no big hotels with buffets top priority! We stayed in the most gorgeous hotel like this in Koufonissia (a tiny Greek island)last summer. Found that on trip advisor too and it was just divine.
This town also looks like it could be a perfect place to get married. I get all excited when I see places abroad mentioned on RMW. We’re getting married in Portugal next summer and it makes me very giddy just thinking about it!! Writing save the date postcards as I type..wooooooooo!
And yes, I also think you should send some pics in Louise. More abroad RMW weddings please xxxxxxxx
I agree with Susie more weddings abroad!
I will definitely send some pics in when we get back!! I really should be trying to sleep now instead of jumping round the house like an idiot – I feel a bit sick from all the jumping actually!
It’s so beautiful in Sorrento – I went out with my mum in June for a pre wedding visit (any excuse for a mini holiday!) and completely fell in love with it! I just hope our 14 guests feel the same way tomorrow!
Anyway I must go and try to get some beauty sleep before i’m up at half two!
Eeeeekkkkk!!!
Louise.x.x.x