Pollenca in Mallorca revealed as the UK’s fifth favourite European coastal destination An ancient town home to cobbled streets lined with cafes, restaurants, bars, and beautiful boutique hotels such as Can Auli – is it any surprise Pollenca made th

The UK’s favourite European coastal towns have been revealed by Which?, with lesser-known destinations beating popular hotspots. Which? asked more than 3,500 UK travellers to rate their trips to 44 coastal towns and cities across Europe, taking into consideration a number of factors such as the town’s beach, seafront or marina, food and drink, accommodation, tourist attractions, attractiveness, shopping, entertainment, peace and quiet, safety, friendliness, and value for money. Brits named Pollenca in Mallorca their fifth favourite. 

Pollenca is exactly like the Mallorca travellers hope they’ll find. It’s authentic, beautiful, and boasts a wonderfully relaxed vibe. Aside from its postcard looks and mellow beat, this get-away-from-it-all escape abounds with history. Travellers can explore ancient ruins and buildings, or spend their days enjoying views from the café-lined port, or browsing galleries, boutiques, and traditional Sunday markets. Evenings are reserved for sunset strolls, and joining friendly locals on one of the soulful terraces that line Placa Major. Sun worshippers won’t have to venture far to find the island’s dreamiest beaches. Coves such as Cala San Vicenc, the long sandy beaches of Puerto d’Alcudia and Formentor’s stretch of paradise will forever change the definition of what crystalline water should look like. 

And so… allow us to introduce you to boutique luxury retreat, Can Auli, in the heart of Pollenca. 

Housed in a 17th-century mansion, five-star Can Auli is a luxurious adults-only retreat in the heart of Pollenca. Centuries ago, the historic and character-filled building was residence to a local doctor, but now it serves as an oasis of calm at the foot of the UNESCO Tramuntana Mountains. Entering the hotel from the quaint streets of Pollenca, guests are greeted by impressive ancient stone arches and staircases oozing with historical design details. 

The light-filled entrance is home to a one-of-a-kind wall installation fabricated from one thousand ceramic pieces by leading local artist, Jaume Roig, paying homage to the island’s distinct beauty and boundless creativity. Jaume is linked to earth more than to concepts, and understands ceramics as a philosophy of life, as a process in which water, earth, air, and fire participate. Jaume’s raw ceramics fill the entrance space of Can Auli to bring a rustic chic feel to the house. Stylish, contemporary sofas, exposed stone walls and sumptuous linen furnishings in tones of sage, cream, and copper are complemented by chic designer lighting, stone floors, sisal rugs and modern artworks. 

Preserving Mallorca’s unmistakable beauty for visitors and locals alike and further establishing the island as a destination for an authentic and memorable holiday has always been the driving force for owners, Miguel Conde and his architect wife, Cristina. The couple’s decision to lovingly renovate vulnerable buildings and breathe new life into historic palaces and aristocratic mansions is rooted in a deep passion and connection to the culture of Mallorca. Every It Mallorca hotel is a revival of traditional Mallorcan architecture, history and / or heritage. Can Auli is no exception. 

Guests are magnetically pulled from the entrance of Can Auli through to the walled garden where a swimming pool surrounded by swanky sun loungers and seating awaits. Branches of olive trees sway gently in the breeze, and the scent of flowers create an atmosphere that feels far, far away from the city of Palma. Little would guests know that they’re nestled amid hundreds of terracotta rooftops in the town of Pollenca. 

Can Auli has 21 inviting rooms spread across three floors. All rooms are spacious and comfortable, with exposed beams, stone flooring, sisal rugs and natural textiles in a warm palette of grey, copper and cream. The stone bathrooms are modern with rain showers, a charming little wooden stool, eco-friendly amenities, and locally hand-woven baskets filled with fresh towels. 

The hotel is home to a unique open kitchen which offers indoor and outdoor dining and most exciting of all, a 1-km food menu. A local farmer hauls in crates of delicious fresh produce every morning, and the hotel’s breakfast menu and daily specials revolve around ingredients which come from his organic farm located 1km from the hotel. A menu of tapas and small plates features melt-in-the-mouth Cantabrian anchovies, crumbly artisanal cheese, and acorn-fed Iberian ham – an informal yet sophisticated menu which leaves gourmands spoilt for choice. 

The hotel is just a ten-minute walk from the cypress tree lined El Calvari with its 365 steps that lead to the chapel of Montision, and the 17th century house-museum of local artist, Dionis Bennassar. The art museum of Pollenca is a two-minute stroll from the hotel, too, and the sandy beaches of Puerto Pollenca are just a ten-minute drive away. 

Being located at the foot of Sierra de Tramunatana – a declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO – also makes Can Auli a destination for cycling lovers. Guests can choose between relaxed routes on rural roads or a challenging climb up Sa Calobra – a serpentine winding that leads to iconic lighthouses, historic castles, and secret coves. 

Can Auli has its own bike garage, too – a real USP. It’s a state-of-the-art cycling centre with bicycle racks, tyre pumps, and a repair workshop, a shower specifically for bikes, and maps with personalised routes from the hotel’s doorstep. Can Auli also offers guests comforts for practicing via their collaboration with local company, Cycling Friendly, such as transfers, coaching, guided tours, bike rentals and biomechanics. 

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Rates at Can Auli start from €200 (low season) / €400 (high season) per night on a bed and breakfast basis. Price based on double occupancy. Can Auli is an adults-only hotel. For more information or press-related queries, please contact Kristie Crozier or Emily Falkner at Lemongrass via itmallorca@lemongrassmarketing.com 

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Editors notes

It Mallorca Unique Spaces is a brand of hotels, restaurants and luxury concierge that offer exceptional experiences. All buildings that house the hotels have had prior lives and the idea of adding new bricks to Mallorca seems totally absurd to Miguel Conde, owner of IT Mallorca. Calatrava, Sant Jaume and adults only escapes Can Cera and Can Alomar are nestled in Palma’s historical city centre and surrounded by Renaissance-era palaces and plazas. Adults-only retreat Can Aulí is location in Pollença’s photogenic Old Town and at the foot of the UNESCO listed Tramuntana mountain range. A passion for art and design is reflected in all properties. Many of the masterpieces that adorn the communal spaces and bedrooms are done by local artists specifically created to collaborate with the hotel and its surrounding. Each hotel has a space for relaxing and balancing body and mind offering a variety of treatments and rituals.