I’ll be frank: I don’t love an all-inclusive resort. I swear I’m not a snob, but the crowded buffets, the sunburned guests fighting over loungers, the unlimited piña coladas that taste great on day one, but then churn your stomach by day five… to me, the all-inclusive resort is great and affordable in theory, but pretty tired in practice.

So when I was invited to check out Zafiro Palace Andratx in Mallorca, Spain, which touted “all-inclusive redefined,” I was skeptical. But from the moment my best friend and I arrived in the Balearic Islands, Zafiro began to win me over. It was less of a hotel and more of a self-contained island escape, carefully designed to make you feel like you’re experiencing a slice of Mallorca’s essence.

Here, “all-inclusive” felt like a promise to pamper and surprise, whether through incredible meals, blissful wellness experiences, or a lazy day on a llaüt (a traditional Balearic fishing boat). This wasn’t about the usual vacation checklist; it was about a kind of immersive, well-rounded experience I hadn’t anticipated.

A bit about Zafiro Palace Andratx

Zafiro Palace Andratx is a high-end, five-star resort located in Camp de Mar on Mallorca’s southwest coast. The property currently has 304 total suites with private terraces (which start at a surprisingly reasonable $245/night), along with multiple gourmet restaurants, access to an 18-hole championship golf course, and exclusive amenities, like swim-up pools and a wellness spa.

Guests have the option to stay in the Zafiro Club (where I stayed), which is a separate building with more luxe offerings, like access to a private pool, premium room touches (think fresh flowers, turn-down service, a stocked minibar), and a personalized concierge (who you can chat with via WhatsApp), for $438/per night with a three-night minimum. Then there’s also an all-inclusive package that includes unlimited food and drinks throughout the whole resort. From my stay, it’s worth adding this on, although it does carry a slightly heftier price tag starting at $539 per night.

Martí Vilanova, the Zafiro Palace Andratx’s front office manager, tells me Zafiro Resorts is a family-run endeavor born on the island of Mallorca with deep ties to its landscape, culture, and community. Over the years, Zafiro has honed its focus on high-end, personalized service, says Vilanova, blending modern luxury with Balearic authenticity on both Mallorca and Menorca. And even if you didn’t venture outside of the resort (which I most definitely did), I can attest to the warm, airy Meditteranean aesthetic that breathes genuineness into every corner of its space.

Resort rates:

Suites start at $245/night. The Zafiro Club starts at $438/night, while the all-inclusive package starts at $539/night.

Book directly at Zafiro Resorts or on Booking.com.

From the moment our driver picked my friend and me up from the Palma airport, I knew we were going to be in for a treat. I had been invited on a press trip on behalf of the brand, with a plus one. Just as long as we could get ourselves to the resort, my guest and I would be treated to a three-night stay in the Zafiro Club (a major perk of my job, I know). The timing was perfect, since we were already going to be in Europe for a wedding, and the resort was just about to close for the season. (It’s open annually from mid-April through October, and closes each winter for weather).

After a 60-ish minute, bouncy flight on Ryanair from Marseille, and a 40-ish minute drive from the city of Palma to the western coast of the island, we finally arrived at the resort. We stepped out of our fancy car to an airy, Mediterranean palace, where our bags were whisked away and replaced with bubbly glasses of Spanish sparkling wine. This would be very different from the budget hotels and Airbnbs I’d been crashing at for the past week. And it was! Between adventuring around the island on scooters, relaxing in one of the six (!) ritzy pools, and ordering what felt like a zillion scrumptious desserts, I can’t recommend this place enough.

Below, find my favorite experiences from my stay—complete with very Insta-worthy photos.

My Mallorca highlights

Zipping around on electric Vespas

If you’ve ever wanted to live out your Lizzie Maguire fantasies of driving around Europe on a Vespa (minus the handsome Italian man), Zafiro’s baby-blue electric Vespas can help turn that into reality.

On Friday morning, my friend and I grabbed our Vespas and made the 30-ish minute ride from the resort to Port Andratx, a charming little harbor village on the western coast of the island. Dotted with fishing boats alongside sleek yachts, the port town has a laid-back yet elegant vibe. We spent the afternoon strolling by the waterfront, frosty Fanta Limóns in hand, before zipping up some hilly streets for better views of the port.

We ended up in the most stunning cove, Cala Marmassen, where we sat on the rocks and took in the views of the jade-green palms swaying above the azure waves, before taking our Vespas back to the resort. I will forever remember giggling on them while dodging SUVs and racing around narrow roads leading to hidden beach spots. There’s just something about riding a Vespa that makes you feel like you’re in a real-life movie montage.

Sailing on a traditional llaüt

As two very passionate water signs, it’s no surprise that my friend and I agreed that our favorite part of the trip was, by far, sailing on Zafiro Palace Andratx’s sailboat. On Saturday evening, we set off on an electric llaüt—an updated, sustainable take on Mallorca’s traditional wooden fishing boats. Gliding through the water without the typical engine fumes or motor noise was an unexpected luxury, transforming the usual hustle of a boat ride into a relaxed, immersive escape.

The captain sailed us out from Port Adriano (about a 30-minute taxi ride from the resort) along Mallorca’s rugged western coastline, past secluded coves and dramatic cliffs while we laid on the bow. With no motor, we could chat and enjoy the lapping of waves against the hull, an experience worlds apart from the flashier yachts that populate the Mediterranean, which made it feel all the more authentic.

After about a 30-minute sail, we dropped anchor in Parque Malgrats, another serene cove (so many beautiful coves!), for a swim. I spend a lot of time on the sea in my personal life, but this was the most brilliant cerulean water I’ve ever swam in. Had it not been so windy and choppy, I would have taken one of the captain’s paddleboards out for a spin (he also had snorkels and electric underwater scooters available). Still, I was thrilled to float on my back and experience Mallorca’s maritime soul, a chance to see the coastline as it’s meant to be experienced: slowly, and with reverence for the natural world.

Unwinding in The Gem spa

As much as I love adventure on vacation, I also love to relax and be pampered. The resort’s spa, The Gem, is where we went to do just that. Tucked away on the second floor of the resort’s main building, The Gem is a quiet haven away from the rest of the resort where you can unwind in the sauna, Turkish bath, or heated indoor pool with wall-to-wall views over the surrounding mountains and sea.

There’s also a full menu of treatments including facials, manicures, pedicures, and massages, all elevated with luxurious Germaine de Capuccini products. My friend and I opted for massages, complete with some breathwork and aromatherapy, which left me and my muscles completely relaxed. Between the Vespas and the llaut, it was nice to have some time to do… nothing.

The good news is, the spa isn’t the only place you can get some R&R. There are a whopping six outdoor pools across the resort’s property, so we had plenty of opportunities to lounge and chill. My favorite, though, was the Oasis Pool, the resort’s adults-only rooftop pool with sweeping views of the nearby beach, Camp de Mar. If you want a secluded pool away from screaming children like I did, this is your best bet. Even better, we had a private jacuzzi tub on our deck that was a lovely respite at the end of each night. Every night I was there, I’d grab my book and pour myself a nightcap before going to bed, which was enough on its own to make me never want to leave.

Savoring gourmet gastronomy

The food and drink are where Zafiro Palace Andratx truly won me over. I’ve honestly always thought all-inclusive food is mediocre; typically, the breakfasts and lunches are a combination of buffet-style lunchmeats and cheeses that have been left to sweat in the sun all day. In my experience, dinners are typically held at one of the few restaurants on-site, which can be decent the first time you go, but by the third time eating there, you’re bored.

But here, the culinary offerings defied my every expectation. We started each day with the sprawling Mediterranean breakfast buffet, The Market, that overflowed with fresh, tried-and-true favorites (custom omelets, warm crepes, cut fruit) and local dishes (Iberian meats and cheeses, Spanish tortilla, gazpacho, pan con tomaté).

For lunch, guests have the option of another delicious buffet or sitting down to a meal at La Veranda, the resort’s Italian restaurant. Here, the menu was loaded with pastas, saucy ragus, crispy pinsas (a lighter alternative to pizza). Two dishes I’m still dreaming about are the roasted aubergine with figs and ricotta and the creamy mushroom risotto which we ate on day two after nearly beefing it on our scooters—so good.

Over the weekend, we were able to sit down for dinner at each of the three on-site restaurants, which only got better as the weekend went on. The first night we went to Tastes & Sushi, the resort’s Asian fusion restaurant. My friend and I were still buzzing from our long travel day, so we spent most of our time yapping over a bottle of wine and picking at some shared sushi rolls before diving into three incredible desserts (over-ordering quickly became a theme throughout the trip).

It’s worth noting that this was the most reasonably priced of all four restaurants—entrees were in the $20-$24 price range here, and between a bottle of wine (there’s a selection of all-inclusive bottles included on every menu) and three desserts, we got our money’s worth with the all-inclusive option. It definitely paid off at the other restaurants, where entrees were closer to $30-$40 per person. if you have the means, the all-inclusive package really is worth the splurge; not only did we have access to all five restaurants, we also could order snacks near the pool, drinks at the hotel’s lounge, and even room service (which, duh, you already know we did.)

On the second night, we dined at Caliu Steakhouse, where we satiated our inner carnivores with an Iberian charcuterie and juicy sirloin steaks paired with a somm-recommended rioja. We also watched someone order the sizzling, 900-gram, $59 Tomahawk steak which was impressive (my gut could never) and made us hungrier, so we ended up ordering a round of patatas bravas to share (which my gut definitely could).

On our last night, we enjoyed fresh Mediterranean food at Mare Nostrum, the crown jewel of the three restaurants, IMO. I don’t consider myself a foodie, but I can safely say I left my meal understanding what it means to appreciate gastronomy.

We started by ordering three appetizers (all-inclusive, baby!) to start: scallops with coral rock and seaweed, red tuna with beetroot and feta ice cream, and oxtail bonbons. Like I said, this is *not* your normal all-inclusive restaurant. After saying “wow” a million times, we moved on to our main courses; lobster with citrus and black rice for me, charbroiled octopus with sweet potato puree for my friend. The flavor and freshness of both courses were astounding and perfectly portioned so that we could enjoy dessert, which, once again, was over-indulgent.

My friend and I swooned over the tart creaminess of raspberry créme anglaise and rich brioché French toast with salted caramel ice cream and crème brûleé crumbles. But the showstopper was La Sobremesa—a fudgy chocolate cigar filled with a smoky mousse. It’s served on a glass ashtray with a side of gray sugar ash for dipping and tastes like you’re actually smoking a cigar (in the best way possible).

“Is this what it means to have a gastronomical experience?” my friend asked in between bites of that chocolatey, smokey, goodness. Like I said, I’m no foodie, but undoubtedly, yes.

A few notes

Our stay in Mallorca was pretty much perfect, so I only have a few minor notes. The first is that Mallorca is not the easiest or cheapest place to get to from the United States. Most major airports along the East Coast require you to fly to Madrid or Barcelona first before connecting to Palma. But if you’re flying from the middle of the country or the West Coast, prepare yourself for a loooong, *expensive* travel day with lots of layovers.

Pro tip: I recommend tacking on a few days in a major connecting city to make it worth your while. I flew from Mallorca to Barcelona (again, about 40 minutes) and spent three days exploring the city before flying to Newark. If I ever go back to the island, I plan on doing something similar to make it worth my while (and to break up travel days!).

The second is that the Mediterranea is chillier than I thought it would be in October, and although I love traveling during the shoulder season to avoid crowds, I would recommend sneaking in a trip in September to maximize weather. We were surprised at just how breezy it was—so windy that we had to reschedule our original sail on the llaüt from Friday to Saturday. The water was chilly, too! And with the air as cold as it was, it was hard to stay in the water comfortably for long periods of time. Obviously, weather fluctuates, but if I ever get back to the Balearic islands (which I’m determined to do, FYI), I think mid-September would be the perfect time to go.

Final thoughts

Sure, Zafiro Palace Andratx has all the creature comforts you’d expect from a luxury getaway; it’s studded with crystalline pools, luxe daybeds, and picturesque views. But it’s the care taken in crafting personal touches—a glass of sparkling cava offered before every dinner, the traditional senalla basket in your room to tote around your beach towels, fresh flowers on your coffee table—make it a place to savor.

And it’s actually unbelievably reasonable. For everything that’s included in the “All Inclusive Redefined” experience at the nightly rate, it’s way more affordable than other 5-star resorts. Grant it, prices fluctuate depending on seasonality, but even in peak season, Zafiro’s prices are incredibly competitive. If you’re looking for high-end hospitality, you’re in for a rare treat. Here, it’s not about piling on amenities but about delivering them with sophistication and detail, leaving you blissfully immersed in a Mediterranean dream without a hint of the ordinary.