In theory this is one of the few resorts on Majorca where it is possible to make the transfer from the airport by public transport, although I'd personally never relish the thought of getting on a bus with a suitcase and flight bag, and then trying to find the right change. However, the very thought of using public transport would certainly not be a consideration for most of the visitors here.

Illetas still remains relatively undiscovered by almost all of the major UK tour operators, and most visitors to the resort do tend to be independent travellers who make the short trip from the airport either by taxi, or by hire car.

Although taxis are always numerous outside of the arrivals hall, and in theory at least should all operate on a fixed price basis, typically charging around 30 euro for the short journey into the resort, experience has shown that this "fixed price" may vary slightly depending upon the number of suitcases, the time of day or night of the journey, and of course the number of passengers carried.

Also an important consideration for families with small children, is that these taxis do not as a rule carry child seat, therefore children may have to sit on their parent knee for the journey.

If this is a cause for concern, we strongly recommend that you make arrangements for a pre-booked taxi to be waiting for you, and clearly specify at the time of booking that a child seat is needed for the journey. Pre-booked taxis are often a little more expensive, although as with all things in life, you only get what you pay for.

For those visitors who choose to drive, this is one of the nearest resort to the west of Palma, although for an inexperienced driver it is very easy to completely miss the Illetas turn altogether, which is the way they like it.

As a result, and in response to the large number of requests that we have received over the last few months, we have now attempted to produce a detailed version of this route, complete with links to maps where appropriate, which can be found on the Route Map link on the left hand frame of this page.

For those who do venture off the main road, the town is an oasis of green along the heavily developed south coast, but beware of the one way system in operation. Any mistakes in finding your destination on the first time around, will result in a lengthy drive before you are granted the opportunity of a second attempt.

Once you are in the resort, and have settled in to your accommodation, the journey back into Palma for shopping or sightseeing, is then surprisingly easy by public transport. Throughout the year the local bus operator, the Transport de les Illes Balears, run a regular service along most of the south west coast.

On a number of occasions throughout the year, visitors to Mallorca ask us for details of bus timetables, however experience has shown us that the term "timetable" is sometimes too generous a term to best describe the time the buses actually run, although these are always published each year on the bus stops in town, and also on the Transport de les Illes Balears web site, however, in both cases clearly no responsibility can be accepted as to either the content or accuracy of information provided by these external sources.

The contrast between Illetas and the more familiar south west coast resorts of Palma Nova and Magaluf can only be described as striking. Holidays to Illetas are not cheap.

Accommodation here does not fall below the 4 star standard, which is aimed very strongly at professional couples and families looking for the cultural aspects of nearby Palma, as opposed to the all night clubs and bars of Magaluf.

Illetas is a resort of smart hotels, and expensive cars, that has on more than one occasion been compared to Monte Carlo by both professional travel writers and visitors to the town.

Having never been to Monte Carlo, I would have some difficulty in making an objective comparison between the two, however, when I win the Lottery this would be the area of Majorca that I would choose to escape to and enjoy life.

Moving now if we can a little further west along the coast from Illetas, brings you to the residential areas of Bendinat and Portals Nous, which In keeping with the general exclusivity of the area is being marketed by at least one developer as having "possibly the best address in Mallorca".

A major feature of Portals Nous is the Puerto Portals marina, which the local council proudly claims to be "the best in Spain". Although, clearly an exaggeration of the truth, it certainly helps to raise the profile of the area to have a number of very expensive yachts moored there.