Review of Dalt Murada, by Jenny Pidgeon

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 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 leafy patio at this boutique hotel is also 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.

The staff at boutique hotel 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 eight 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.

The ceilings on the first and second floor of the boutique hotel 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. The bathrooms are cosy, and all except one features a super-power shower or a Jacuzzi bath.

Splash out on the Penthouse Suite and revel in exclusive use of what must be the boutique 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.