All-inclusives in Mallorca: Zafiro Palace Andratx & Zafiro Palace Alcudia
This Easter, I was counting my lucky stars because not only did I get to check out one, but two, of the Zafiro Palace hotels. If you’ve ever fantasy-researched a family holiday to Mallorca (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t), chances are Zafiro isn’t a new name to you. But just in case – the hotels sit in that rather elusive middle ground, where honestly, I know I feel most comfortable: they’re pretty and polished but not pretentious, and also brilliantly set up for children without feeling like you’ve accidentally checked into a dated soft play centre
They have three Zafiro Palace spots across Mallorca (Zafiro Palace Alcudia, Zafiro Palace Andratx & Zafiro Palace Palmanova), which all orbit the same idea: generous suites, totally warm and welcoming of children, and an all-inclusive concept that leans more restaurant-hopping gourmand than beige buffet treadmill
But within that universe, two stars shine very differently, because Zafiro Palace Alcudia (very similar to Zafiro Palace Palmanova) and Zafiro Palace Andratx have very distinct vibes. One is a full-throttle family playground; the other, a design-led retreat that embraces children whilst keeping things a lot more peaceful. Here’s my take on both
Published: 19th June 2026 | Last updated: 24th June 2026
Your most asked questions, answered
What’s the difference between Zafiro Palace Alcudia and Zafiro Palace Andratx?
In short: Zafiro Palace Alcudia is high energy, brilliantly busy and built for older kids (I’d say 4+) who want stuff to do. Zafiro Palace Andratx is calmer, more design-forward, and better suited to younger children who don’t need all the bells and whistles entertainment (yet)
Which is better for babies and toddlers?
Zafiro Palace Andratx edges it, thanks to the slower pace, beautiful suites and low-key little kids facilities (including a cool playground and cute kids’ club). It’s totally welcoming to families without any high-octane hustle and bustle which can intimidate and overwhelm the tiniest of travellers
Which is best for older children?
Zafiro Palace Alcudia, without hesitation. We’re talking waterslides, evening entertainment, kids’ club with revolving activity agenda, playground, mini golf… the sort of place where children are effortlessly entertained all day, while parents still get stylish suites, private pool options and dining that feels more ‘evening out’ than ‘mentally-steel-yourself-to-tackle-the-buffet’
Do both offer all-inclusive?
Yes, and it needs to be said upfront – both seriously elevate the traditional take on an ‘all inclusive’, though in my opinion, Zafiro Palace Andratx does pip Zafiro Palace Alcudia to the post (though admittedly, I didn’t try the a la carte at the latter). Across both hotels, think a range of restaurants beyond just a buffet, spanning cuisines from Mediterranean, to steak, to sushi. It’s dining that actually has a sense of occasion; worth dressing up for (if you want to!), rather than just another rushed hotel meal
Are the hotels easy to navigate with a pram?
Yes, both are exceptionally well set up for this. Think lifts, ramps and step-free access across at least 90% of the grounds, so getting from room to pool to restaurant doesn’t feel like an obstacle course in itself
Are both in walking distance to a local town?
Again, both earn big ticks in this box. Zafiro Palace Alcudia is a few minutes stroll away from Alcudia Port and beaches, while the quaint charm of Alcudia Old Town is in walking distance as well. Zafiro Palace Andratx sits just above a pretty cove and the iconic Camp de Mar ‘restaurant in the sea’ – both reached on foot in 5 minutes – with chic harbour towns a short drive away
Rooms and Suites
The bathrooms strike that same balance. We had a (very generously sized) walk-in shower for grown-ups, plus a separate bath that made washing all the sand off the kids infinitely easier
Design-wise, think light, bright, and unfussy. Not the place for dramatic interiors, or artsy boutique touches. But sometimes, on a family holiday, that’s exactly the point – especially somewhere like Zafiro Palace Alcudia, where there’s so much going on outside you won’t be hanging out in the room
Then the main bathrooms were indulgent in all the right ways. Double sinks, expansive walk-in showers, and enough space to avoid the usual family holiday bottleneck
Add in sea and mountain views, and plenty of private pool suites, and I can happily say Zafiro Palace Andratx is top of the class in the hotel room stakes
Childcare & Family Facilities
Zafiro Palace Alcudia
If childhood had a physical headquarters, it might look a bit like Zafiro Palace Alcudia
Life mostly revolves around the hotel’s central ‘hub’ of activity: where you’ll find pools, waterslides & a ‘wet bubble’ (a big inflatable pillow kids can clamber up, with water sprinkles shooting into the air on top), and a humungous outdoor stage, with the main buffet restaurant, neighbouring playground and kids’ club tucked just off to one side. It’s cleverly designed so once you have your sunbed ‘base’ for the day, nothing is too far away (and don’t fret, because there’s lots, from loungers around the pools to double daybeds scattered across the lawns)
If you can tear your kids away from the pools, you’re a better woman than I. There’s slides for all different ages (from 2-ish up to about 10) including a pirate ship with little flumes, and shrieks of delight frequently emanated from that much-loved water pillow – climb, bounce, launch oneself off the top, repeat
The playground is equally impressive, both in size and also location. Think a sunken trampoline, impressive climbing frame and bouncy castle, fully enclosed and (here’s the genius bit) conveniently placed at one end of the main buffet dining terrace – with no other exits! Translation: you can eat in peace while your children disappear to ricochet around, occasionally reappearing for chips – safe in the knowledge they can’t escape anywhere else
The kids’ club? Genuinely useful rather than token. An activity agenda runs throughout the day, many included at no extra cost, from crafts to competition and games, typically for an hour or two at a time. Open to over 4s, you drop and go, before collecting them again at the end of the activity (and no doubt, returning imminently, when there’s another session they’re buzzing about)
Randomly, the on site mini golf course ended up being one of my favourite spots, thanks to its gorgeous mountain views that caught the sunset. It made the perfect pre-dinner ritual, transitioning from high-octane to more laidback energy, while the multi-sports court off to one side seemed to constantly host football and basketball games that bubbled away in the background
Evenings brought another layer of entertainment (on that epic stage I was talking about): shows, quizzes and music with drinks readily flowing from the well-placed cocktail bar (there was table service, too). We all know bedtime rarely exists on holiday, and children were happily enjoying the after dark antics, though the daily 4pm mini disco was a stroke of genius – for us, it signalled time to get out the pool, before dancing off any remaining energy and getting ready for dinner!
For children with energy to burn, Zafiro Palace Alcudia is a no brainer
Zafiro Palace Andratx
The yin to Zafiro Palace Alcudia’s yang, Zafiro Palace Andratx takes a gentler approach to entertainment
There’s still a playground (a very good one), and still a kids’ club (also lovely), but it all feels… dialled down a notch. More considered, less constant
The kids’ club here is best described as a lower-stimulation setup. Activities on the agenda centre around crafts, journaling, building blocks and boardgames, rather than kids racing around at a million miles an hour. Crucially, it offers a stay-and-play option (that Zafiro Palace Alcudia doesn’t), meaning parents can join in as well (a huge plus for more timid souls). There’s an unofficial ‘baby corner’ boasting mats, tots toys, and space for little ones to safely potter, while supervision is still available from 4+
And then there’s the pools – plentiful and pared-back. By this I mean there’s no slides or splash features – there is, however, a dedicated shallow shaded spot for little ones. And my, are they beautiful
Scattered across the rooftops, they’re less about adrenaline, more about atmosphere, each with sweeping views over the mountains and out to sea – again, with more daybeds around than you could shake a stick at (in a very good way!)
One more benefit that Zafiro Palace Alcudia is missing* – the small (family friendly) indoor pool, which quietly earns its keep during the cooler days of shoulder season
In short, the appeal here lies in its milder pace, which usually suits little ones far better than non-stop action
(*I have since learned the indoor pool at Zafiro Palace Alcudia was closed for renovation during our visit in Spring 2026, but is usually available for families to use)
Wining & Dining
Zafiro Palace Alcudia
Buffet dining can be a bit… functional, but Zafiro Palace Alcudia goes above and beyond your usual (beige) suspects. I’d say breakfast is the real standout. Yes, there’s everything you’d expect (continental and cooked options, cereals and made-to-order omelettes), but also little extras that elevate it: churros, toasties, a rainbow of smoothie choices, piles of fresh fruit and an almost comical array of pastries
The dinner buffet rotates themes, with enough variety to keep things interesting. The Asian night in particular punched above its weight, with sushi, all different fried rice dishes, noodles, grilled meats, and gyozas that are almost solely responsible for a 2kg weight gain
But the real genius lies beyond the plates: the setup. Buffet dining spills out onto a terrace where the playground sits within view. I know I’ve mentioned it already, but truly, it was revolutionary to our holiday. Our daughter drifted between table and trampoline, meaning we could linger over dessert and drinks without being asked ‘can we go now?’ every 10 seconds. The only issue? We didn’t get to try any of the a la carte options, because she wouldn’t entertain the idea of being parted from the playground
Zafiro Palace Andratx
At Zafiro Palace Andratx, on the other hand, we leaned all the way in on the a la cartes
And we found that Zafiro’s ‘all-inclusive, but make it chic’ philosophy really lands. Each of the restaurants had their own distinct identity, with dreamy décor and a ‘going out’ atmosphere. From Mediterranean spaces filled with ceramics and soft lighting, to Asian restaurants dressed in deep reds and golds
The menus were inspiring, including options for the kids, and the experience deliberately unhurried. Two-hour dinners became the norm, but without the usual stress, as children are catered for and entirely welcomed, which removes that low-level parental tension. We had Dobble, cars and colouring in out on the table, and still, no heads were turned
And a small but telling detail: a glass of cava handed out to guests on arrival. It set the tone immediately, that this is your time now, to relax
The breakfast buffet was equally well-considered, with a genius layout meaning there was none of your usual jostling chaos (all the options were lined up neatly along one wall). And the dining space too exceeded all expectations – the complete opposite to a soulless canteen, with plenty of plants, pretty pendant lights and comfy cushioned booths
All in all, it’s some of the best food I’ve found in a family-friendly resort setting
Ambience & Vibe
Zafiro Palace Alcudia hums. It’s lively, sociable, full of movement and giggles. Days blur into pool time, activities, and evening entertainment. It’s the kind of place where children fall into bed happily exhausted, while parents still feel like they’ve actually had a holiday too
Zafiro Palace Andratx exhales. Built into the hillside, it feels more exclusive, more design-led, more calm and considered. The scattered pools and luxurious loungers invite slow days spent splashing, punctuated with playground and kids’ club trips before culminating in special dinners
Nearby & Exploring
Alcudia is arguably one of Mallorca’s most versatile corners. There’s an easy walk into Port d’Alcudia (in all honesty, it’s not the prettiest port I’ve ever visited, but nice for a change of scene and a beachfront cocktail). You then have a slightly longer walk (or short drive) to the Old Town – which is genuinely spectacular, all cobbled alleys and teeny shops. It also boasts easy access to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches (Platja de Muro, I’m talking about you!). It’s the kind of base where you can do as much or as little as you like
Andratx leans more towards understated glamour. You can walk down to Camp de Mar for beach days and ice creams, or drive to Port d’Andratx for something a little more polished. Palma is also within easy reach (20 mins by car) if you want to switch things up with some sunny sightseeing
Our Verdict
Choosing between these two isn’t about which is “better”. It’s about what your family are looking for, on this particular holiday
If you want full-throttle family fun, entertainment, and the comforting chaos of happy children everywhere you look, Zafiro Palace Alcudia delivers in spades
If you’re craving something calmer, more design-led, with enough to keep little ones entertained without everything revolving around them, Zafiro Palace Andratx quietly steals the show
Same brand, same philosophy, and truly elevated All Inclusive whichever you choose… but two entirely different holidays
