Can Isabel

Tired of minimalism? Romantic little guesthouse with lots of character in the centre of charming Soller

Discreetly tucked away in a pretty Soller side street, Can Isabel is a romantic throwback to the days of Robert Graves' Mallorca. Warmly created by Flemish Sebastien and his wife, this 19th century house is choc-a-block with antiques and quirky collectibles, reminiscent of a more gentle era, when horse and cart trundled through the cobbled streets, men were gentlemen and ladies wore flowing skirts. Pause by the fireplace in the reception room to the soft strains of classical music and admire a vast collection of antique teapots, interesting old books and hand-stitched wall hangings. Climb up the narrow, tiled staircase to find six light-filled, cosy rooms, one with a claw-foot bath at the end of the bed, another two with private roof terraces. At the back there's a jasmine-scented town garden for breakfasting and watching the world pass by.

Its location is excellent - slap bang in the middle of Soller, opposite the little station where you can catch a scenic wooden train ride to Palma, and the old tram for a seafood lunch down at Puerto Soller. The leafy main square with its cafe culture and jovial atmosphere is just around the corner.

Highs

• Great central location in laidback, sociable Soller, one of Mallorca's prettiest historical towns surrounded by the Tramuntana mountains
• Value for money: very comfortable rooms with lots of personal touches - from the bathrobes to scented candles
• Romantic, intimate and private
• Homely atmosphere and friendly hosts
• Excellent homemade breakfast
• Quirky, anti-minimalist decor!

Lows

• Not really suitable for children - it's more of a hideaway for couples
• This is a small retreat with a pretty garden but limited communal indoor space - a good base for exploring rather than somewhere to spend the whole day
• No pool but a short tram ride to the coast
• Some traffic noise can be heard in the two rooms at the front of the hotel