Day two of our Balearic island adventure arrived with a candy-floss pink sunrise over Calvia bay.
I got up and made the coffee’s. All rooms rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and The Level rooms have an Nespresso Coffee machine. Mr Amellia Mae loves his morning coffee and we have a coffee machine at home. However I have to say that the Nespresso coffee was particularly good-even the decaf. And a lot easier to use then our machine at home. I’m going to be perusing Amazon for one for the future.
Once we were suitably perked up by our coffee, we made our way downstairs to the exclusive Level restaurant. The staff greeted us by name and made us welcome and comfortable. We were quickly offered an a la cart menu to chose freshly cooked hot breakfast from as well as having a selection of pastries and continental style breakfast to chose from. Cold meats and fish, cheeses, fresh prepared fruits, olives, everything your could want. The crowing glory however, was the Mimosa bar. No breakfast is complete without mimosa’s after all.
We had a leisurely breakfast and took in the view from our terrace.
Then we got down the serious business of power tanning. Now coming back with a health glow from your holidays is a must and so I took to this endeavour with serious commitment. I only surfaced for a the essentials, you know, Pina Colada’s, more champagne etc.
Calvia Bay
I was finally extracted from the task in hand by Mr Amellia Mae and we decided to explore the rest of the hotel and surrounding area.
The Melia Antillas Calvia Beach is located, wait for it, on Calvia Beach. Now to the more seasoned Mallorca traveller, you will know that this is the bay which extends from the notorious Magaluf! However, The Melia hotel is located next-door to the ubër trendy bigger sister hotel ME Mallorca and she is next door to Nikki Beach. This end of the bay is seriously upping the traveller game and hoping to attract more refined guests. There have also been developments along Calvia Bay with the introduction of Zhero Boat House, little brother the the Zhero Beach Club and hotel in Palma de Mallorca, and other restaurants following suit.
I’ll be doing a separate post about our Lunch at Zhero so keep an eye peeled.
Whilst there is no doubt Magaluf spills into this bay, the juxtaposition of the more refined clientele of the Melia Hotels and upscale beach clubs, seems to somehow temper the gaudiness of the Magaluf crowd, somehow “bringing their game up”. I think that this essentially is the intention, but it has taken some brave investment from the hotels and businesses close by and an even braver traveller to give it a try. I’m certainly pleased we did. Calvia bay offers excellent people watching opportunities but also the possibility to escape the madness to your quieter more genteel end of the bay, when the mardi-gras gets too much.
We walked along the beach westwards to the cutest beach restaurant “Chaval”. The restaurant abuts a spanish villa that has a plethora of horses and animals said to have all been rescued by their eccentric owner. If you’re lucky, you may catch a glimpse of him out on his horse and carriage with a Bassett Hound and St Bernard on board for company. Of course.
Cheval is a small but perfectly formed open air restaurant with views across the bay.It has additional seating on the beach a top a decked area with ample shade from the sun. The menu isn’t extensive but includes most local seafood and meat dishes you would expect to see. Unfortunately if you’re after Paella you have to order for a minimum of 2. We decided to stop for a spot of lunchWe opted for an Ox burger (the husband) and Salmon. My Salmon was fresh but decidedly underwhelming. The Ox burger arrived but looked suspiciously like Octopus.
We laughed at our communication faux pas and soaked up some Sangria. The Sangria is usually freshly made which means it always tastes a little different depending on what wine is used in the mixture.
I would say that the view makes up for the foods shortcomings. It is at the very least stoping by for gelato and a drink.
After lunch we climbed the steep hill back up to the hotel and looked around the facilities away from The Level. We found a cute coffee shop with the most amazing interior. Look at these tiles!
We stopped for another cool drink in the shade and admired the Bougainvillea growing. The hotel is vey peaceful and the decor is soothing. Neutral tones and natural fabrics are continued throughout.
On returning back to our room we received a nice surprise from the management. There had been an issue with the air conditioning and we had moved rooms so this was their way of apology. Bubbles are the way to a girls heart apparently.
After a champagne fuelled siesta we scrubbed up well, spent time admiring the beautiful Mallorca sunset and headed out to the bay for dinner.
We went to one of our favourite spots, Kalmia Beach. This is a very laid back beach house style restaurant that serves a varied menu. Great for people watching as you are just a stones throw from the main heart of Magaluf. You overlook the beach so the view is pleasant but make no mistake, it is interspersed with men in banana costumes, stag parties and alcohol fuelled revellers making their way to “the strip”. If you don’t mind a bit of fun then this spot is perfect for that. Far enough away to feel safe but close enough to enjoy the crack.
I had a Ceasar salad, which whilst good and tasty does appear to have shrunk somewhat in the past 12 months since we were last here. The boy had a burger and fries – following on from the Ox burger incident earlier that day. The food is good, the price is better and the location is the cherry on top.
After dinner we strolled back along the beach and back to our suite. I’m always excited to sleep in hotel beds. I think it’s knowing that I don’t have to make it in the morning, it just makes it all the more delicious!
Whats your favourite thing about vacations?
More adventures from the Balearic islands to come so make sure you stop by again soon.
Amellia Mae
