Authentic, experiential and relaxed, that's right the south of the island of Majorca, a Balearic corner that boasts of virgin beaches, inaccessible coves and a leisurely and Mediterranean lifestyle... the one that transmits so well the Hotel Honucai, located in the old fishing village of Colònia de San Jordi.
They say that one of the best sunsets in Mallorca is at the lighthouse of sa Puntassa, that closes the bay of Migjorn and announces that we are about to enter in the port of Colonia (as this coastal complex surrounded by tradition and nature is colloquially known). And we totally agree, since the views it offers to the island of Cabrera they could not be more incredible and captivating. Therefore, approaching this place, belonging to the municipality of Ses Salines, is a must.
Beach in Colonia.
We are in the southernmost point of the island, and that is noticeable as soon as we set foot on its practically immaculate sandbanks: its Platja d'Es Port may be a bit crowded, but it will be easy for us find refuge in Es Caragol, Es Carbó and Ses Roquetes. Also nearby is the photogenic It's Trenc, the longest natural beach on the island, with its almost two and a half kilometers in length, and that characteristic turquoise blue color.
Because yes, throughout the island of Mallorca the Mediterranean Sea is the protagonist, but it is even more so in Colònia de Sant Jordi. And it is, in part, thanks to Hotel Honucai, which has known how to value the landscape and the local product.
Superior room with private pool.
HONUCAI HOTEL
An exotic name has the Hotel Honucai: comes from Hawaiian honu-kai (sea turtle) and pays tribute to the native turtle that is recovering on the island. as it is in essence the interior design of their 78 rooms, the most privileged with sea views and those with a private pool. Do not expect to find, yes, tropicality in its decorative details, because here everything is relaxed, Mediterranean and very natural. The only palm trees you will come across will be the ones you see from your balcony.
Dinner at Raw Bar & Robatayaki.
THE TOP
The hotel has a fitness room and a small spa, but the one that gets all the praise is its rooftop-bar The TOP, open for both guests and visitors and locals.
Divided into two differentiated spaces, the rooftop has a pool set to live music – where you can have cocktails with views of the endless Mediterranean – and with a Raw Bar & Robatayaki, perfect for robata dinners among palm trees –designed–. Local product that arrives at the table reinterpreted in the form of an oyster with tiger milk and passion fruit, Mallorcan octopus ssam with squid ink alioli and yaquitori chicken with peanuts, spring onion and sesame.
Dishes at Raw Bar & Robatayaki.
SALICORNIA RESTAURANT
The other strong point of Hotel Honucai is your restaurant salicornia, located on the ground floor of the hotel and a few meters from the beach, so that both clients and non-clients alike can eat with sea views. A gastronomic space with a lot of personality that daily feeds on the best fish and shellfish in the south of the island. Chef Pablo Tomás (former Drolma and ElBulli) is in charge of valuing the fish and seafood cuisine, extolling the flavors of the island and providing creativity to the reverted native recipes, which are an ode to the Mediterranean: dry rice, fideuá a la llauna with squid and saffron aioli, grilled fish of the day and the bluefin tuna in all imaginable versions, since the restaurant has decided to feed on this seasonal marine delicacy by acquiring a piece of 150 kilos.
But he has not done it in any way, but through a show kaitai, the gastronomic experience of the tuna ronqueo which intends to repeat each season in order to offer live the exploded view of this huge wild piece , but also to be able to serve special dishes that are added to the menu throughout the season, such as bluefin tuna tartar with 'potato causa', nori seaweed and tobiko, Grilled bluefin tuna with tumbet and spicy tomato or coca de trempó with tuna.
Red tuna tartar in Salicornia.
THE EXPERIENCES
There are many experiences that we can enjoy in this area, such as going sailing with the Náutica Colonia company (it is in the port, right next to the hotel), which offers boat trips through some of the coves on the southeast coast of Mallorca: the (almost) inaccessible and wedged between cliffs Cala Marmols, the virgin white sand beach Es Carbó, perfect for practicing water activities due to its crystal clear waters, and the great Es Trenc, with its wild nature, in the form of sand dunes, pine forests, thickets and wetlands.
Snorkeling in Cala Marmols.
Also The Salinas d'Es Trenc are unmissable, located in an area declared a Natural Area of Special Landscape and Rural Interest. Here the Flor de sal d'Es Trenc is produced, the only ‘made in Mallorca’ brand and officially included as one of the 15 Mallorcan products cataloged by the Traditional Food Commission of the Balearic Islands.
Within the Es Trenc-Salobar de Campos Maritime-Terrestrial Natural Park, we will walk between imposing (and very white) mountains of salt, we will learn everything about the salicornia plant (which grows in the salt flats of this area and gives its name to the restaurant of the Hotel Honucai, since it is used as a dressing in the kitchen) and we will discover the so peculiar way in which it is harvested this precious product.
Manually and before nightfall, so they don't get wet again, salt crystals –which form a thin layer on the surface and arise from the evaporation of seawater in the salt flats– they are harvested with the help of rakes and they are poured into wicker baskets to drain. Then they will finish drying on tables under the Balearic sun.
Mountain of salt in the Salinas d'Es Trenc.
FIGUERA COVE
Hidden between rocky cliffs, pines and fig trees is the fishing village of Cala Figuera, that occupies a natural bay, as a traditional amphitheater in which fishermen are busy repairing their nets before going out to fish again while the ladies wait in the shade to take home their share of the (marine) feast.
There is no better place to say goodbye to the south of Mallorca than this idyllic Balearic town where pleasure boats share moorings with traditional llaüts and typical Majorcan houses and boathouses perch on the grounds with the strength of the stone and the color of its colored windows and doors.
Cala Figuera.