October 2, 2024, 6:13 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Package vacations and mega hotels on the Ballermann – that’s the Mallorca cliché. But new forms of accommodation are increasingly attracting vacationers from exotic countries to “Malle.” From Brazil and Indonesia, for example. The Mallorcans are amazed.
Bunk beds in the rooms, remnants of spaghetti Bolognese in the communal kitchen’s fridge, and travel guides and maps strewn across the lounge table: the “Pura Vida” hostel in Palma epitomizes the quintessential backpacker’s haven, akin to those found in Barcelona, London, or Istanbul. With a mere 15 beds, the new accommodation offering stands in stark contrast to the sprawling mass hotels. It is one of the new alternative accommodations on Mallorca.
“We have traveled a lot ourselves with our backpacks and thought that the offer for backpackers in Palma was very limited,” explains Mallorcan Carlota López, who opened the “Pura Vida” in May together with her boyfriend Darío. Until then, there was only one youth hostel in Palma, but the first three hostels opened this summer. Alternative accommodations like boutique hotels are also booming – the term was unknown in Palma ten years ago.
Alternative accommodations on Mallorca
Within just a few years, 18 of these individual small hotels, or alternative accommodations have opened on Mallorca. And the trend is rising. The new alternative types of accommodations on Mallorca are also attracting new tourists. The colorful mix of visitors in his hostel “Fleming” amazes the long-established Mallorcan Miquel Oliver every day anew. “We have lots of French and Brazilians, plus Americans and Japanese, even Indonesians have been here.” The hostel opened its doors to visitors in August.
In addition to low-budget accommodation, luxury boutique hotels have sprouted up like mushrooms in Palma’s old town for a few years. One of the pioneers was the 5-star hotel “Convent de la Missió,” housed in a former monastery. There are now 18 boutique hotels registered with the city. They are located in manor houses once inhabited by Mallorca’s nobility, the converted bishop’s palace, or the former antique store.
Carol Cardero, director of the “Convent de la Missió” for two years, says that the number of beds will be doubled in winter due to the high demand – despite room prices of up to 300 euros and increasing competition. “The competitors aren’t a threat; they’re an enrichment,” Cardero asserts with conviction. The new trend is having a positive effect on Palma as a tourist destination.
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Mallorca’s Ministry of Tourism is pleased
Mallorca’s Ministry of Tourism is also extremely pleased with the new development. Any new accommodation beyond all-inclusive in Arenal is welcome, says Pilar Carbonell, the Tourism Minister’s right-hand man. “People spend money here, often even on the whole island, which they explore from Palma.” The size of the wallet is of secondary importance to Carbonell. Backpackers with a limited budget are just as dear to her as guests in five-star hotels. “We have to get rid of the idea that quality tourism equals luxury tourism.”
Online platforms such as Couchsurfing are also making it possible to find more completely free places to sleep on Mallorca. More than 5,000 members scattered across the Spanish island offer sofas and guest rooms there – including Carlos Saura, a member of the protest party Podemos in the Balearic parliament.
However, the original idea of cultural exchange has now faded into the background, regrets Jorge García from Palma, who has already hosted over 150 couchsurfers. “Most people are looking for a roof over their heads, nothing more. You often just feel like a receptionist.” García is therefore considering registering with a rental portal. According to estimates by the Association of Holiday Rentals, over 40,000 private apartments are available across the island on platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, or Fewo-direkt.
For example, a Mallorcan who first rented out an apartment to holidaymakers in 2012 did such good business that he soon bought three more apartments on credit, renovated them, and now offers them for 80 to 120 euros a night. Private rentals of apartments are not yet regulated by law on Mallorca, so many operators do not pay taxes.
The 45-year-old believes this type of tourism is nevertheless good business for the island. Guests patronize local shops, dine at restaurants, and rent cars, while landlords engage tradespeople and shop at furniture stores. “Many people benefit from this, not just the hoteliers as before.”
Particularly since the new island government is courting visitors eager to immerse themselves in the local culture rather than indulge in the infamous revelry of Ballermann. The Turk Emir Yilmaz, who is staying at the “Pura Vida” for a few days, has never even heard of the Ballermann. However, Pilar Carbonell from the Ministry of Tourism does not believe that the new offers could affect the full-board resorts. “These are alternatives with which we can open up new markets.”
The original of this article was published in 2015.