Dalt Murada, Palma, Spain

The Dalt Murada is a small and friendly boutique hotel in a great location in old-town Palma, very close to the Cathedral and other major sites. To find it you have to walk down a narrow cobbled alleyway (cars can drive down the street, but many taxis refuse to as it’s such a tight squeeze) and you then climb stairs up to the unremarkable reception area.

The facilities
These unimposing beginnings make it all the more surprising when you come out of the lift into the palatial grandeur of the guest-room floors. The Dalt Murada is built in a 16th-century palace and the grand character of the place has been retained, with dark antique Mallorquin furniture, huge Renaissance-style paintings in gilt frames and large, hanging tapestries.

The staff at Dalt Murada are very friendly and exceptionally helpful, brimming with suggestions for things to do, see and places to eat and drink. There is plenty of choice of bars and restaurants nearby, and you can ring on the doorbell of this boutique hotel at any time, so party as long into the night as you like.

The rooms
The guest rooms are of a good size – particularly the suites with their large sitting rooms. Here you will find DVD players, large televisions and internet connections if the antiquity of your surroundings is getting too much. There are also huge floor-to-ceiling cupboards with sliding glass doors, comfy sofas and some rooms have balconies overlooking the patio (although these are very small and not really worth the extra money).

The floors on the 1st and 2nd floor of the building are very high (but not on the third floor) and the rooms have large windows. There are original doors dividing the sitting room, bedroom and bathroom, and creaky, handsome traditional Mallorquin beds in the rooms. Other aspects of the décor as less noteworthy such as the faux-candle electric light bulbs and jarring green curtains. The bathrooms are small, but all except one features either a super-power shower or a Jacuzzi bath.

Splash out on the Penthouse Suite and revel in exclusive use of what must be the hotel’s best asset – a private roof-terrace with views of the nearby Cathedral. Everyone else must make do with the interior patio, floors below, and dream of those lucky enough to nab the top floor. The leafy patio is actually very pleasant, with lemon and orange trees, and tables for breakfasting al-fresco. There is also a breakfast room inside for colder days, which is a bit dark but has nice floor tiling.