Hotel Reads

AN INTIMATE 23-ROOM hotel set in the countryside on 20,000 square metres of landscaped gardens and greenery, Hotel Reads has everything you’d want when you want to get away: peace, quiet, a pool and indulgent 650-square-metre spa, including a hydro massage pool. For cyclists, however, these things are just icing on the cake. Thanks to its climate and terrain, Mallorca is a mecca for cyclists of all levels. European pro teams train here in the winter months to take advantage of the dry, warm weather. The season truly kicks off in February and is busy until May. There’s riding to be had here until October, though, but if you’re planning a visit in July or August you may want to plan for early morning rides to avoid the heat.

The main hotel is a restored centuries-old home. Each room has a unique layout with traditional decor and a terrace (one suite has balconies). If quirk is your thing, ask for the Sultan Suite, the design of which is inspired by Morocco and decor sourced in that country’s souks. The hotel’s restaurant, Blues Brasserie, is open for lunch and dinner with a three-course set menu available for lunch. If you’re travelling with a group of six, spend a night at the chef’s table, situated in the kitchen, and enjoy a custom tasting menu. Browns Bar, the hotel’s watering hole, is housed in a 17th-century room, exactly the place you want to enjoy an aperitif after a long day of riding. Ample bike storage is on the premises, though road bikes are available to rent (trekking bikes for leisure rides are complimentary). Route maps and energy drinks and snacks are also at hand, as are guides, should you want someone else to be responsible for directions. WHERE TO RIDE You can’t go wrong on this island, with terrain and views that will keep everyone happy. Cycling between Alcúdia and La Victoria offers a hilly ride and views of the sea that will keep intermediate riders happy, while serious climbers will be challenged by the Tramuntana mountain range. Trek out into the northeast side of the island, through Pollença and along the Formentor peninsula and you’ll easily rack up 100 km and more than 1,000 m of climbing. DON’T MISS Be sure to take advantage of your tropical locale. The property is located about a 25-minute taxi ride from Palma, the island’s main town, and the beaches of Illetas, Port of Sóller and Bay of Alcúdia are roughly the same distance. Yacht hire, anyone? You are in the Med, after all. Hiking in the Tramantuna mountains is another option – particularly for those who enjoy wildlife and bird watching, as there’s a bird sanctuary a 30-minute drive from Reads, on the Bay of Pollença.