There’s only one thing nicer then the beach and that’s a beach club at the beach.
The Beach club seems to be having a bit of a renaissance. It’s no longer reserved for private members, available only to the who’s who of the jet-set and providing you have 2 recommendations from existing members blah blah blah ( all though of course some of these do still exist). The Beach club concept has, so it seems, opened up it’s parasols to us mere mortals and has said, Come on in, the waters fine!.
The idea seems to be to provide a comfortable base for the day where you can enjoy the sun, sea and sand with the added luxury of cotton towels, Bali beds and a freshwater pool to dip in when the sea salt gets too much ( as if it ever could). Clubs often offer a menu for lunch and some also dinner. The drinks menu, often more extensive satisfies the most thirsty beach comber.
Whilst on holiday in Mallorca I have noticed that Beach clubs are popping up all over the island. SO here’s a run down of just a few I spied on my travels.
Nikki Beach
During our time on Mallorca we visited 2 Beach clubs and stayed in the hotel next door to one. Perhaps the most well known; Nikki Beach.
(photo credit Nikki Beach)
We didn’t visit Nikki Beach during our stay this time around but we didn’t miss a beat of all the activity. We were staying next door and had all the amenities the beach club could offer. We were able to enjoy all the sights and sounds as we were separated only a glass fence. The Beach club is loud – make no mistake. You are not going to be snoozing in the sunshine here. People come to party. Millionaires arrive on their boats in the bay and are brought in by rib to the dock. Others arrive in their Lambo’s and Bugatti’s; the front car park is a petrol heads dream. Vintage or Vanquish, you’ll see it all here.
Mere mortals arrive on foot, but these feet are often bedecked in Choo’s and Loub’s. It’s a wonderful place for a celebration and an even better place for people watching. Gather up your best group of friends and book a bali bed,sit back, drink and enjoy the show. Drinks aren’t cheap but you’ll care less as the day wears on the excitement builds.
On a previous visit to Mallorca it was my husbands birthday and we decided on having dinner at Nikki Beach rather then spending the daytime there. Again we were only staying next door, this time at the ME Mallorca. Evenings at Nikki Beach isn’t something that can always be done. It was early in the season and they were having their opening party weekend and on the Saturday night the club stayed open later then the usual 7pm close.
We had a lovely meal and the palest of rosè wines. The menu is not extensive but the sere is something for everyone. I had the Nikki Beach Famous Chicken Satay. It was Verrry good. SO Good I didn’t get a picture! The husband had the Kho Samui Thai Beef salad. He had a case of food envy and didn’t rave as much about his as I did mine. After diner, desserts and a nightcap, we were invited upstairs for complimentary champagne! The club was a little sparse to begin with but guests were having a great time. It quickly filled up and the atmosphere was electric.
If I can recommend anything about this Beach club, it would be the people watching opportunities. As a self confessed voyer (not like that cheeky!) I love watching people, and it doesn’t get better then this place.
Zhero Boathouse
A little further a long the beach is the Zhero Boathouse. This is related to the Zhero Hotel and Zhero Beach club in Palma.
It has an understated Scandinavian meets Beach house feel. Pale wood, white furniture and ambient house music play whilst beautiful people sip pale rose wine and glance out towards the ocean. This beach club has a really laid back vibe. It is a great spot to eat, drink and relax. Much more chilled out then it’s neighbour Nikki Beach.
There’s a small plunge pool for you, if and when the salt water gets too much. Shade from the abundant parasols provides more then enough respite from the beautiful balearic sunshine, if you so wish.
Seating is mixture of driftwood chairs and benches, organic stump stools, large beanbags and bucket chairs.
There are plenty of dining tables and chairs if you are stopping for lunch;I’d highly recommend the lunch here. Seafood and steaks are on offer in a variety of preparations and with various acompaniments.
There is a lovely view of the ocean across the beach and all the excitement of Calvia bay.
Zhero is definitely a more refined and relaxed Beach club, in fact less of a beach club and more of a, well, boathouse. Spending an afternoon here will recharge the batteries without exception and you’ll not miss a beat of the action, still going on around you in Calivia Bay.
Cape Nao
A little closer to home, and in-fact on our door step is Cape Nao. A beach club attached to the Melia Antillas Calvia Beach Hotel, where we were staying.
This beach club has a distinct Montauk meets New England meets the Balearic Islands vibe going on. It’s designed in soothing white wood, marble and blue tones.
If you are a non-resident and want to visit the beach club you can pay to spend the day, which allows you to use the pool, the jacuzzi and also you have a sun lounger in the hotel grounds. The beach is a stones throw away with sun loungers for your use, so you can go back and forth to the beach as you wish.
You have toilets and changing rooms and will be given a towel to use on your lounger.
Cape Nao has a small food menu but what it does do it does well.
I had the best Burrata I have had, it quite literally melted in my mouth. I would recommend this if you stop by.
Literally, the best ever…
We shared a chicken wrap, which was good also, not in the same league as the burrata but still good.
There’s an ample drinks menu, be warned the cocktails are generous. I however,
settled on something a little more basic and refreshing.
Leaving room for this little beauty… Tiramisu
It’s definitely a nice spot to stop off at and I would recommend it even if you are not a guest at the hotel.
Chaval
More of a restaurant with beach club facilities, Chaval is a sweet little beach restaurant you will have heard of in my previous posts.
It’s primary function is a restaurant, offering seafood and grilled meat options from a bijoux but perfectly appointed open air restaurant. It is as far west of the bay as you can go and is just next door to Cape Nao.
It has developed a beautiful area on the beach front with a dedicated zone for sunbathing and an area of the balearic ocean for your particular use. No changing facilities per se, but there is a clean and usable toilet in the restaurant. You will need to come prepared for the day if you intend to set up base at this beach club.
The views around the bay are beautiful and unparalleled from this quiet spot. It is a little gem.
So there you have it. These are just 3 of the beach clubs in Calvia bay. As I said, there seems to be a beach club revolution on the island. You will find them all along the coast in various shapes and sizes. It’s a great way to spend a day at the beach in comfort.
Where’s your favourite Beach and how do you spend your perfect day there?
Amellia Mae
