As the Calvia region in Mallorca closes for the summer to re-open in February 2014, Visit Calvia is launching the 2014 Magaluf Revolution marketing strategy which will focus on the quality of the holiday experiences available in the region. With a number of new luxury properties opening, as well as a wide variety of thrilling family attractions, the region is developing substantially and showcasing a holiday experience far removed from the typical holiday associated with Magaluf.
A municipality located in the south west corner of Mallorca, Calvia is best known for being home to popular party spot Magaluf. However, during the past year the tourist board has worked hard to change the perception of the region and to promote its vast array of outdoor activities. With an average winter temperature of 15°, Calvia is a hiker’s and cyclist’s paradise. Olympic Gold medallist Bradley Wiggins usually spends a few months each year training in Mallorca with other athletes, who all go to the area to take advantage of the abundance of luxury facilities and natural training areas.
This little known Mediterranean gem boasts six well established resorts (Magaluf, Palmanova, Portal Nous, Illetes, Santa Ponsa and Paguera) which are all situated approximately 20 minutes from Palma de Mallorca airport, only a two-hour flight from London Gatwick and other regional airports.
Calvia is a quality destination and gorgeous year round, which is why many celebrities choose to purchase homes in the region and why many large, upmarket hotel companies are choosing to focus their hotel development and marketing promotion on the region.
The region is not just for youngsters looking for a place to party, but is also an ideal destination for professional couples, families and retirees.
What’s New in Magaluf for 2014:
Hotel News:
Refurbished Rosa del Mar Aparthotel Offers New ‘State of the Art’ Rad International Bike Station
Rosa del Mar Aparthotel, located just 100 metres from Palmanova beach in one of the quietest areas of Magaluf, has just completed a major refurbishment and the resort now includes 32 apartments, 16 junior suites and 136 studio rooms. The purpose of the re-development was to extend the property’s operational season to nine months of the year, and also to enhance the quality of its sports and wellness offerings.
The 4-star establishment boasts an impressive specialised bike station operated by Rad International. The bike station offers bike rental, comprehensive information on independent or guided cycling routes all over the island, a shop selling all sorts of cycling equipment, and a workshop for visitors to mend their own bikes if they choose to bring them.
The property also operates a fitness centre which is open 12 hours a day and features a fully equipped gym, a brand new spa offering a wide selection of treatments, Turkish Baths and a heated indoor pool. Visitors will be spoilt for choice for dining options at the hotel’s buffet restaurant, à la carte restaurant and snack bar. Alternatively guests can take advantage of the relaxing chill out zone or enjoy the hotel’s theatre which shows several professional productions each week.
Calvia offers visitors countless options in terms of sport including cycle routes, running tracks, football pitches, tennis schools, swimming clubs, rugby fields, sailing clubs, water sports, golf courses and hiking routes, all of which can be found just a few minutes from the hotel.
For more information on Rosa del Mar Aparthotel, visit www.marhotels.com
Mallorca Rocks Increases Bed Night Capacity to Attract More Music Lovers
The Ibiza Rocks Group (IRG) is one of the UK’s fastest growing youth brands and sits at the crossroads of music, travel and fashion to create a unique, immersive lifestyle experience. IRG produces and operates events, hotels, a travel company, bars, diners and retail stores with resorts in Mallorca - but truly specialises in creating energy and atmosphere.
Mallorca Rocks Hotel opened in 2010 and brought new life and fresh energy to Magaluf. Subsequently it brought a new audience of music-loving, social media savvy youths to the resort and greatly encouraged the social rejuvenation and regeneration of Magaluf. In 2012 the hotel expanded from 328 rooms to a 656 dual complex hotel set around two 85 square metre lagoon style pools. The hotel welcomes top music talent twice weekly for the flagship Mallorca Rocks live gig (Tuesdays) and the DJ led We Are Rockstars on Thursdays. Every Sunday sees Mallorca’s biggest Vegas style pool party attracting in excess of 3,000 people weekly. The Mallorca Rocks Apartments opened in 2012 to give customers alternative accommodation options away from the main hotel complex but still with full access to the facilities and entertainment programme – resulting in a total offering of 2,700 beds throughout the season.
Having reinvented youth travel by offering flexible and affordable packages for the festival generation, combining trendy accommodation with expert knowledge, alongside live gigs and branded entertainment, Mallorca Rocks is a one stop shop for music loving travellers to Magaluf. As well as enticing new travellers to the destination, Mallorca Rocks is in a position to bring globally recognised talent and major media outlets such as MTV, Kiss and Radio 1 to the resort, most of them for the very first time.
Summer 2014 will be extra special as Mallorca Rocks celebrates its 4th birthday mid-July with a fortnight of events packed with premium headline acts.
For more information on Mallorca Rocks, visit www.mallorcarocks.com
Sol Wave House Launches #SocialWave Twitter Experience and Exclusive Party Suites
Since its opening in the summer of 2012, the Sol Wave House, a Meliá Hotels International property, has positioned itself as a very social hotel, creating a virtual community called #SocialWave which is only available via the hotel’s complimentary wi-fi. The purpose of the community is to encourage conversation between guests and hotel staff, so guests meet new people and make new friends, which ultimately enhances their holiday experience. Visitors can access this community from their mobile phones, laptops or tablets, by logging on through their Twitter accounts. The community includes two virtual concierges who are devoted exclusively to meeting and interacting with the guests. Visitors can ask the concierges questions and will receive very quick responses.
Sol Wave House has also developed new exclusive #PartySuites; luxury spacious suites which can accommodate up to four people. Guests staying in these suites will enjoy a complimentary bottle of champagne and special sports drinks on arrival, 20% discounts in all of the hotel’s restaurants and bars, VIP hammocks and a customised mini bar, as well as a complimentary drink at the #TwitterPoolParty held every Friday at the hotel.
Sol Wave House boasts 184 suites and junior-suites with sea views and contemporary design, a spectacular 2,500 square metre VIP terrace facing the sea, plus swimming pools, sporty style restaurants with a California twist, lounges and concert areas with live music during the day. The hotel’s General Manager, Gonzalo Echevarría, says; “The hotel takes a new step in meeting the expectations of an increasingly experiential and social customer profile, through new technologies.”
For more information on the Sol Wave House, visit http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/majorca/sol-wave-house/index.html
Family Fun News
Family Friendly Katmandu Park & Resort Adds Thrilling Enhancements for 2014 Following Successful Summer Season
Katmandu Park and Resort opened for the 2013 summer season and was the result of a partnership between Katmandu Park, a new generation theme park, and Meliá Hotels International. The collaboration created Mallorca’s first resort and theme park combination. The spectacular looking upside down “House of Katmandu” is a 22,000 square metre park resort which offers 422 comfortable rooms, an array of dining and bar options, a Texan and Mexican themed restaurant, and an American Style theme park which offers extraordinary adventures in the latest next generation interactive technology including: a thrilling 4D ride whisking visitors away to different realms; The House where visitors can battle Hurricane force winds, carve ice and be amazed by the interactive aquarium; XD Dark Ride; The Asylum, a freaky paranormal experience; Desperados, a hilarious ‘Wild West Shoot Out’ with laser guns; a fire and ice themed 18 hole Expedition Golf course and much more.
New enhancements for 2014 include, Kamp Katadidu Kid’s Club; a new lagoon style swimming pool; the Katmandu Character Breakfast starring Boro the Great, the resort’s icon yeti tasked with guarding the resort’s magic jewel; an underwater themed wonderland; a multi-level climbing adventure; a Splash park where water powered Splash Battles will be held; and a Flying Phoenix Zip-line.
For more information on Katmandu Park and Resort, visit www.katmandupark.com
Pirates Adventure Show Awarded 2013 Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence
The Pirates Adventure Show has been running in Mallorca since 1986 in a purpose built theatre on the outskirts of Magaluf, Calvia, and so far up to 3 million visitors have experienced the mix of world class acrobatics, thrilling gymnastics and breathtaking dancing. This year the show was awarded the Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor, for the high quality of its dinner and show combination.
The cast consists of World, Olympic, European and British Champions from the world of gymnastics, sports acrobatics & dance. The Pirates Adventure is the ultimate dinner show for all ages and Pirates Reloaded 18+ is an electric adults only night. Pirates opens from the beginning of April 2014 through to the end of October 2014.
For more information and to book, visit www.piratesadventure.com
Food and Entertainment News:
Luxurious Nikki Beach Opens for 2014 Summer Season on 1 May 2014
Located at one of Mallorca’s beautiful white beaches, Nikki Beach Mallorca is universally considered to be one of the best day party venues in the world. Nikki Beach Mallorca is the place to spend lavish and luxurious afternoons in the sun; with the coolest crowds and hottest parties all against a utopian backdrop of protected pine trees and the glistening Mediterranean Sea. Nikki Beach is where Mallorca’s ‘in-crowd’ can be found, bronzing themselves on exotic, oversized plush lounge sunbeds, sipping champagne, and dancing to the all-day grooves of world-class DJs and live entertainment.
Nikki Beach Mallorca officially launches the 2014 season with a soft opening party on Thursday, 1 May 2014 from 11am-8pm. Visitors can enjoy world class entertainment, globally inspired cuisine and refreshing signature cocktails, as well as the magical view of the Mediterranean Sea.
Whether it’s an intimate dinner for two, a party with family or friends, a landmark celebration or a corporate event, Nikki Beach has the most professional and enthusiastic events team and the most talented chefs at the ready to whip up a glorious event to remember, topped off with world-class service.
For more information visit, www.nikkibeach.com/mallorca
Award-winning BCM Planet Dance in the Process of Signing Big Acts for 2014 Season
BCM Planet Dance is a multi-award-winning nightclub which has dominated the Mallorcan music scene for the last 25 years. Currently ranked number six in the world, according to prestigious DJ Magazine’s Top 100 clubs poll, the establishment is a ‘must see’ for all music-loving visitors to the island. Dubbed the ‘indoor festival’ as a result of the number of world famous DJs that play to sell-out crowds at the club each year (including Calvin Harris, Tinie Tempah, Labrinth and Professor Green), organisers are currently signing some big acts to kick off the 2014 season. The club opens each year from April until late September.
For more information visit, www.bcmplanetdance.com
Visit Calvia Hosts October Gastronomy Month
Visit Calvia will host its second Gastronomy Month in October 2014. Fifty restaurants from around the region will participate by putting on carefully planned set menus costing between €10 and €16. The event will take place every Friday throughout October in four different areas, all offering special menus designed to celebrate Calvia’s culinary scene: Cas Català, Illetes, Portals, Bendinat and Portals Nous; Son Caliu, Palmanova, Magalluf and Son Ferrer; Santa Ponça; and Peguera, Cala Fornells, El Toro and Calvià Village.
It is a requirement that all participating restaurants prepare at least one dish typical to the Calvia region in order to show the quality and variety of produce available.
For more information, visit www.calvia.com
Sport and Activity News:
Viva Palmanova to Open Cannodale Bike Station in 2014
The 4-star Viva Palmanova Spa Hotel has a reputation as a first class resort, and is nestled between two of the island’s most prestigious golf courses. The hotel has been designed to focus on everything sport lovers will need during their active break in Calvia and offers a range of facilities and services including special sports massages and carefully planned buffet menu options.
In 2014, Viva Palmanova will open a Cannondale Bike Station which will include a bike rental shop, energy products, bike parts, cycling clothing and a mechanic service.
For more information, visit www.hotelsviva.com/en/viva-palmanova-spa
Visit Calvia Launches Two Hiking Routes for 2014
In 2012 Visit Calvia launched a dedicated hiking programme which showcased 10 walking routes around the region, suitable for all levels of ability. Routes included the GR221 internationally recognised ‘Dry Stone’ route from Es Capdella to Estellencs. This hike takes visitors through small towns, crossing the Galatzo estate (a magnificent ‘Possessio’ Manor House in the shadow of Puig Galatzo) and meandering through mountains and farmland, all the while uncovering fascinating Bronze Age archaeological sites and architecture.
In 2014 Visit Calvia will add two more hiking routes to its collection, both easily accessible from Magaluf. Route 11 is called Torrent De Santa Ponsa and starts in the resort of Santa Ponsa, before going through the village of Calvia and finishing at Es Capdella. The second new route, route 12, is called Na Burgeusa Mirador Alzamora and is a picturesque route which takes in both mountains and the sea, as visitors hike from the resort next to Magaluf, Palmanova, before finishing the hike in the exclusive resort of Illetas.
Calvia hiking route maps can be picked up from any of the tourist offices for only €2.
Runners to Head to Mallorca for the 30th Magaluf Marathon in 2014
Marathon runners, fitness enthusiasts and active travellers looking for their next big challenge can participate in the landmark 30th anniversary of the Maguluf Marathon, to be held on Sunday, 2 March 2014. Magaluf offers a challenging and picturesque marathon route along with the perfect mild climate for running. Every year thousands of runners participate in the race which starts and finishes in Magaluf, and takes in the towns of Son Ferrer and El Toro, as well as the holiday resorts of Santa Ponsa and Palmanova.
Calvia is home to some of the world’s best running terrain and the route takes runners through vineyards, along the coastline and through small towns before finishing at the Magaluf Athletics Stadium which has become the second best athletics training facility in Europe, second only to London’s athletic stadium which was built for the Olympics. The German Olympic team used the state-of-the-art facility in Magaluf to prepare for the 2012 Games.
For more information on the Magaluf Marathon visit www.marathonmagaluf.com
Award-winning Challenge Family Hosts Inaugural Paguera Triathlon
Triathlon industry leader the Challenge Family has chosen Calvia as its newest race location for 2014. The region’s stunning combination of coastal and mountain scenery, as well as its delightful Mediterranean climate, is ideal for this high endurance sporting event. The inaugural Challenge Paguera will take place on 18 October 2014 providing a perfect end-of-season finale for European athletes. Challenge Paguera will consist of a 1.9 km swim, followed by a 90 km cycle and finally a 21 km run. The swim is a single lap course between two of the most delightful coves on the famous Mallorcan coast.
The race begins on Playa Torá and ends at Playa de la Romana, where T1 will be waiting. The bike course promises to be fast. Without any major climbs, the highest peak being 151 metres, the riders complete two 45 km laps along the coast, passing through some of the best known tourist resorts and alongside some of the island’s most popular beaches before heading inland into the midst of magnificent natural scenery in the foothills of the internationally famous Serra de la Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The event comes to an end on the seafront promenade. The run course is also a fast one, and involves four almost entirely flat laps beside the beaches of Els Morts, Torà and Peguera and through the Boulevard in the tourist resort of Paguera.
Registration for Challenge Paguera will open on 12 August at 9.00am at www.challenge-paguera-mallorca.com
For more information on Calvia, visit www.visitcalvia.com
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November 2013
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION ONLY:
For more information and images, please contact Jo Thomas at the Visit Calvia UK Press Office on 01825 763636 jo.thomas@kbc-pr.com