Half the hotels in this resort are a two-minute walk from the sand. The trick is picking the right two minutes.
Santa Ponsa is one of the most popular resorts in the south-west of Majorca, and it’s easy to see why. A wide, sheltered bay with soft golden sand and calm water sits about half an hour from Palma airport, with three golf courses, a marina and plenty of restaurants close by. The best Santa Ponsa hotels put you within walking distance of the beach, but they differ a lot in style, from lively family resorts to quiet adults-only spa hotels.
In this guide we’ve picked eight hotels in Santa Ponsa, including the popular H10 Casa del Mar, family hotels with kids’ clubs, adults-only hotels and good-value apartments for a cheaper stay. For each one you’ll find where it is, who it suits and what makes it stand out. At the end there are tips on booking and answers to the questions people ask most. For the rest of the island, see our Mallorca guide.
Where is the best place to stay in Santa Ponsa?
For most visitors, the best place to stay in Santa Ponsa is close to the main beach. Playa de Santa Ponsa is a large cove with about 600 metres of shoreline, shallow, calm water and lifeguards in season, so it’s ideal for a family holiday. The streets just behind it, around Gran Via del Puig Major and Avinguda Jaume I, are where most Santa Ponsa hotels are located, along with shops, bars and restaurants. Hotels further away from the beach, up the hill or towards neighbouring Costa de la Calma, are usually quieter and often better value.
If you’d rather have peace and quiet, look at the edges of the bay. Caló d’en Pellicer, a small cove towards the marina, is shaded by pine trees and much calmer than the main beach. Cala Blanca, to the west, is a little beach with clear water that’s good for snorkelling, and the hills behind Santa Ponsa are a quieter residential area. Golfers will want to be near Golf Santa Ponsa, which has three courses.
Santa Ponsa is generally more relaxed and family-friendly than neighbouring Magaluf, although it gets busier in the evenings in summer. It’s also a practical base for days out, as several popular attractions are close by: Western Water Park in Magaluf and Marineland in Costa d’en Blanes are a short drive away, and so is Palma de Mallorca.
As a rough guide, the hotels in Santa Ponsa fall into four groups. Big family hotels such as H10 Casa del Mar and Zafiro Rey Don Jaime sit right behind the main beach, while adults-only hotels are spread between the seafront and the quieter edges of Santa Ponsa bay. Self-catering apartments are the best choice for a cheaper stay, and at the top end Kimpton Aysla Mallorca brings boutique luxury close to the golf courses.
H10 Casa del Mar
H10 Casa del Mar is on Gran Via del Puig Major, just across the promenade from Santa Ponsa beach, about two minutes on foot. It suits families and couples alike: there’s a kids’ club for children aged four to twelve and a shallow area in the main outdoor pool, while the adults-only rooftop deck has a small infinity pool, cabanas, a bar and panoramic views of the bay. The spa has an indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam bath, with massages at an extra charge. Many of the 245 rooms have at least a partial sea view, and most have balconies. You can choose bed and breakfast or half board, with meals served in the buffet restaurant.
Zafiro Rey Don Jaime
On the same street, Zafiro Rey Don Jaime is one of the best family hotels in Santa Ponsa, a two-minute walk from the white sand. The kids’ club and animation team run daily activities, there are shows for children and a children’s buffet, and family suites sleep two adults and two kids. The large outdoor pool has a shallow children’s area and a swim-up bar, while parents can escape to the adults-only rooftop pool with sea views. A spa with an indoor pool, sauna and steam room, plus a fitness centre, completes the picture. With 416 rooms and nightly shows it has a lively atmosphere, so it’s best for families who like entertainment.
Bahia del Sol Hotel
Hotel Bahia del Sol is a four-star hotel on Avinguda Jaume I, a stone’s throw from the public sandy beach in central Santa Ponsa. It has 209 rooms in an eight-storey main building and a second building, with balconies facing the sea or the garden. Families get a playground and a kids’ club, and there’s a heated pool and a sun terrace. Shops, bars and restaurants in the centre of Santa Ponsa are only a few minutes’ walk away. It’s one of the most popular hotels in Santa Ponsa if you want a beachfront location in the middle of everything.
Pierre & Vacances Mallorca Portofino
Pierre & Vacances Mallorca Portofino is an apartment complex in the heart of Santa Ponsa, about 50 metres from the beach. Every apartment has a kitchenette and a balcony or terrace, so you can make breakfast and simple meals for the whole family yourself. There’s an outdoor pool with a snack bar, a restaurant and bar, a fitness centre, table tennis and bicycle rental. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep costs down, and a good option if you’re looking for cheap hotels in Santa Ponsa close to the sand. Shops, sun loungers on the beach and restaurants are right on your doorstep.
Reverence Life Hotel - Adults Only
Reverence Life Hotel - Adults Only is a beach hotel for guests aged 16 and over, about 100 metres from Santa Ponsa beach. It has four outdoor swimming pools and an indoor pool, so there’s plenty of space by the water. The spa offers massages, body wraps and facials, and there’s a hot tub and a fitness centre. The 258 rooms are spread over five floors, and meals are served in a buffet restaurant, with a poolside bar for drinks. Guests often praise the staff, and it’s one of the best hotels in Santa Ponsa for a relaxed couples’ holiday.
FERGUS Style Cala Blanca Suites
On the western edge of Santa Ponsa, FERGUS Style Cala Blanca Suites sits right above the small, rocky cove of Cala Blanca, about a 12-minute walk from the main beach. Every room is a suite with a separate living area and a sofa bed, so it works well for a family of four. There’s a large outdoor pool, a children’s paddling pool, a seasonal indoor pool and a spa, plus a kids’ club, a playground and an evening mini-disco. The buffet restaurant has show cooking and themed nights, and the lounge bar has live music. All inclusive is available, and coastal walking paths start right next to the hotel.
Iberostar Selection Jardín del Sol Suites - Adults Only
Iberostar Selection Jardín del Sol Suites - Adults Only is an adults-only resort for guests aged 16 and over, overlooking Santa Ponsa bay. It’s about 2 km from Santa Ponsa beach, so it feels calm and away from the crowds. The suites are spacious, and many have a balcony or terrace with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. There’s a spa, a buffet restaurant and a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant, plus yoga and pilates sessions. Paddle boards are free to borrow, which is a lovely way to explore the coast in the morning.
Kimpton Aysla Mallorca
Kimpton Aysla Mallorca is the most stylish hotel in Santa Ponsa and Kimpton’s first resort in Europe. It stands on Avenida del Golf, near Golf Santa Ponsa, and its 79 rooms are arranged around Majorcan-style patios designed by local architect Guillermo Reynés. One of the two outdoor pools has real sand, a playful nod to the island’s beaches. The spa by Codage Paris has an indoor pool, a sauna and a salt cave, and you can eat at SABA, which mixes Mediterranean and Asian flavours, or the more casual Zayt Pool Kitchen. Some suites have their own garden or outdoor jacuzzi, so save it for a special occasion.
Tips for booking Santa Ponsa hotels
Book early for July and August, when Santa Ponsa beach is busy with families from the UK and across Europe and the most popular hotels fill up first. If you’re travelling with children, compare H10 Casa del Mar, Zafiro Rey Don Jaime and Bahia del Sol Hotel, and check the opening months of the kids’ clubs. Both H10 Casa del Mar and Zafiro Rey Don Jaime have adults-only rooftop pools, which is handy when parents need an hour of peace. For more ideas, see our list of the best family hotels in Mallorca.
For a quieter break, choose an adults-only hotel or stay at the edge of the bay rather than right behind the main beach. Self-catering apartments and bed-and-breakfast rates are the simplest way to find cheaper hotels in Santa Ponsa. You’ll also find more hotels with space a few streets back from the seafront, and May, June, September and October are less crowded than high summer. If you prefer the north of the island, take a look at our guide to adults-only hotels in Alcudia.
Santa Ponsa hotels FAQ
What is the best hotel in Santa Ponsa?
Kimpton Aysla Mallorca is the best hotel in Santa Ponsa if you want style and a top spa. For families, H10 Casa del Mar and Zafiro Rey Don Jaime are the best picks, both a couple of minutes from the beach. Couples should look at Reverence Life Hotel or Iberostar Selection Jardín del Sol Suites, which are adults-only.
Is Santa Ponsa a nice part of Majorca?
Yes, Santa Ponsa is a nice part of Majorca, especially for families and golfers. It has a sheltered sandy beach with shallow water, a marina, three golf courses and quieter coves like Caló d’en Pellicer and Cala Blanca. It’s also close to Palma, Magaluf and the south-west’s best attractions.
Is Santa Ponsa a lively resort?
Santa Ponsa is lively in summer, with plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants near the beach, but it’s more relaxed than Magaluf. The resort is popular with families and couples, and the residential areas away from the seafront are quiet at night. If you want big clubs, Magaluf and Palma are a short ride away.
Are there cheap hotels in Santa Ponsa?
Yes, there are good-value places to stay in Santa Ponsa, especially apartments and smaller hotels. Pierre & Vacances Mallorca Portofino has apartments with kitchenettes near the beach, so you can save on eating out. Hotels a few streets back from the seafront are often better value than those on the promenade. Travelling in May, June or late September usually gives you more choice.
Which hotels in Santa Ponsa are close to the beach?
Pierre & Vacances Mallorca Portofino, Reverence Life Hotel and Bahia del Sol Hotel are among the hotels closest to Santa Ponsa beach, all within about 100 metres of the sand. H10 Casa del Mar and Zafiro Rey Don Jaime are a two-minute walk away, while FERGUS Style Cala Blanca Suites sits by a quieter cove about 1 km from the main beach. For families, H10 Casa del Mar, Zafiro Rey Don Jaime and Bahia del Sol are the most family friendly hotels, as all three have a kids’ club.
How far is Santa Ponsa from Palma airport?
Santa Ponsa is about 32 km from Palma de Mallorca airport, which takes roughly half an hour by car or taxi. That makes it one of the quickest resorts to reach after landing.
