All Inclusive Majorca: Mallorca Resorts, Seasons and Tips

On an all inclusive board basis, your hotel provides breakfast, lunch and dinner, usually as a buffet with some themed evenings, plus local drinks through the day: house wine, local beer, soft drinks and spirits poured from the hotel's standard range. Snacks between meals, such as ice cream by the pool or a light bite in the afternoon, are normally part of the deal too.

What is excluded varies from hotel to hotel, so read the board description before you book. Premium spirits, bottled wine, à la carte restaurants and some activities can carry a charge. If you plan to explore, half board can be the better fit, but for families and anyone who wants a fixed holiday budget, Mallorca all inclusive holidays remove most of the daily sums.

The south-west of the island, in the municipality of Calvià, is where most short-transfer resort hotels cluster. Palmanova has Marineland Mallorca and the Castle of Bendinat close by, which makes it a natural family base. Magaluf next door has the liveliest reputation, while Santa Ponsa, with the Puig de Sa Morisca archaeological site above the bay, is a little calmer. All three are within 20 minutes of the airport.

In the north, Alcúdia and Port de Pollença are popular with British families and couples. Alcúdia has the old walled town and the Roman site of Pollentia, and Port de Pollença is the gateway to the Far de Formentor lighthouse. Can Picafort, along the same bay, sits near the Son Real necropolis.

On the east coast, Cala Millor runs up to the protected headland of Punta de n'Amer, and Porto Cristo is the place for the Coves del Drach and Coves dels Hams caves. These northern and eastern resorts mean a longer transfer from Palma, so weigh beach and atmosphere against time on the coach when choosing between Majorca all inclusive resorts.

May and June are the sweet spot. Palma averages 24°C in May and 29°C in June, with around seven and five rainy days respectively, so the pools are warm without the full heat of high summer. July and August are the hottest months, at around 32°C with very little rain, which is ideal if you want to stay close to the hotel and the shade.

September is still warm at 28°C but turns wetter, with around ten rainy days, and October brings 24°C highs with similar showers. From November to April, daytime highs range from 15°C to 20°C; that suits walking and sightseeing more than a pool-based week, and some resort hotels run reduced seasons. School holidays push up demand for family rooms, so book early for July, August and the half-terms.

Most British travellers book all inclusive Majorca Spain trips as a package: return flights to Palma de Mallorca, the hotel on your chosen board basis and a shared or private transfer. The airport is close to the Calvià resorts, with Palmanova around 15 minutes, Magaluf 16, Calvià 18 and Santa Ponsa 20, so a south-west base gets you into the pool soonest. North and east coast resorts involve a longer coach ride, worth knowing with small children.

Families should check room configurations, kids' clubs and what the drinks package includes for children before comparing. Prices rise sharply in school holidays, so travelling in May, June or late September, if your calendar allows, is the simplest way to stretch a budget. On this page you can compare live deals from Jet2holidays, TUI, loveholidays and On the Beach, check hotel prices, browse tours and tickets for days out, and compare car hire if you want to explore beyond the resort.