There are some things you can learn about a hotel before you arrive: what the rooms look like, where to eat and whether the views really are as impressive as the photographs suggest. Then there are the details you only discover by being there.
The boat ride to dinner that becomes one of your favourite memories. The bar you’d tell a friend to visit at sunset. The location that makes you realise you’ve chosen exactly the right part of an island. These are the moments that rarely fit neatly into a hotel description – and precisely the ones we want to know about.
Fortunately, working at Winged Boots means we have plenty of well-travelled colleagues to ask. Our team has experienced Jumeirah properties from Mallorca to Bali, so we asked what stood out, what surprised them and, most importantly, what they’d tell you before you go.
Here’s what they had to say.
Jumeirah Mallorca: for the setting alone
Matt Clayden, Retail Store Manager, says
"The setting is the standout, and when you see where Jumeirah Mallorca is located, high above Port de Sóller on the island’s unspoilt northwest coast, you understand why. From its clifftop position, panoramic Mediterranean views meet the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana."
For Matt, that geography shapes the entire stay.
“It feels very peaceful and secluded despite being close to Port de Sóller. You get the feeling of being tucked away in the mountains rather than staying in a busy resort.”
The hotel itself makes the most of its dramatic position, with three outdoor pools, including an adults-only infinity pool overlooking the Mediterranean, and the three-storey Talise Spa. Dining ranges from Mediterranean flavours at Cap Roig to contemporary Mallorcan cuisine at Es Fanals, while Sunset Lounge is the place Matt would recommend as evening draws in.
“The views are a huge part of the experience. I’d make time for a drink at Sunset Lounge – watching the sun go down over the sea from up there is pretty special.”
However, that doesn’t mean staying put. The surrounding Tramuntana Mountains are made for exploration, with Jumeirah offering experiences ranging from hiking and cycling to private sailing along Mallorca’s rugged north coast.
“I think that’s what makes the hotel so appealing,” Matt says. “You can spend one day relaxing by the pool or at the spa, then the next exploring the mountains or getting out on the water.”
There are more unexpected ways to discover the island, too: guests can explore Sóller’s citrus-growing heritage or delve into the aromas behind the hotel’s signature scent with local perfumer Viti Vinci.
It’s that contrast Matt would return for, and he'd recommend it to anyone looking for a hilltop hideaway with the sea and Sóller waiting below.
Meet Matt, our Retail Store Manager
Jumeirah Carlton Tower: for a little slice of quintessential London
Ellen Stevens, Junior Product Manager, stayed at Jumeirah Carlton Tower during winter, and her first recommendation is refreshingly simple: make the most of where you are. "You’re close to so many beautiful shops, with Hyde Park and Winter Wonderland also nearby. The Peak is also a great place to stop for a coffee or get some work done".
Come winter, Ellen says there’s another reason to stay: the hotel really leans into the season. "They do a fondue experience in winter, which is such a nice addition when it’s cold outside".
It’s part of Jumeirah’s Alpine Escape, which brings a touch of the mountains to Knightsbridge. Head to The Peak Lounge for fondue, charcuterie and warming drinks overlooking the London skyline, or settle in for an alpine-inspired afternoon tea. There are seasonal spa rituals to retreat to, too – particularly welcome after a day exploring the shops and festivities outside.
"It’s an appealing combination: festive London outside and something resembling a mountain retreat within".
Meet Ellen, our Junior Product Manager
Jumeirah Mina Al Salam: for smooth sailing at meal times
For Emy Karvelis, Concierge Executive, some of the most memorable moments at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam happened between one experience and the next. "I loved getting around the resort on the little abras,” she says. “Going to dinner by boat in the evening, with all the lights around the resort, was really pretty".
The traditional wooden abras glide along Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways, connecting different parts of the resort and turning a simple journey to dinner into part of the evening itself. It’s something Emy would make time for again – particularly once the sun has gone down and the resort is illuminated.
Her other recommendation is to stop at Bahri, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam’s cocktail bar, before dinner. "You have a perfect view of Burj Al Arab, which lights up for amazing photo opportunities", she says.
And Emy has experienced that famous sail-shaped hotel from the inside, too.
"The two-floor suites in Burj Al Arab are amazing", she says. "I also had afternoon tea at Skyview Lounge, which felt very special."
Set high above Dubai, Skyview Lounge pairs afternoon tea with sweeping views across the city and Arabian Gulf. It’s a memorable way to experience another Jumeirah icon during a stay at Mina Al Salam – even if you’re not checking in.
Meet Emy, our Concierge Executive
Or discover some of Jumeirah Madinat's best dining destinations for every type of foodie
Jumeirah Bali: make time to explore
For Claire Baker, Head of Customer Experience, one of the draws of Jumeirah Bali is its beachside Uluwatu location – somewhere that makes it easy to combine time at the resort with discovering more of this corner of the island.
“Make sure you get out and explore while you’re there,” says Claire. “The location in Uluwatu is brilliant, with Dreamland Beach right by the resort, but there’s so much to see beyond the hotel too. I’d definitely make time to experience some of the culture while you’re there.”
There’s plenty to tempt you to stay put, though. Inspired by a Javanese-Hindu water palace, the resort is made up entirely of private pool villas, with lush tropical gardens and Indian Ocean views adding to the sense of escape. Days can be spent by the infinity pool or at Talise Spa, while the hotel’s restaurants range from Mediterranean-inspired Akasa to Segaran, where Balinese and Southeast Asian flavours take centre stage.
“It feels incredibly peaceful and private,” says Claire. “Having your own pool makes a real difference, but you’ve still got everything you’d expect from a five-star resort on your doorstep. It’s very easy to settle into the slower pace of life there.”
And you don’t necessarily have to venture far to experience Bali’s culture, either. Jumeirah Bali has its own sacred Hindu temple, where guests can take part in a traditional Balinese blessing and purification ceremony – offering a more meaningful glimpse into the traditions that shape life on the island.
“That’s what I really liked about it,” adds Claire. “You can have all the relaxation of a beautiful resort, but there are also opportunities to connect with Bali beyond the beach. I’d definitely make room for both.”
Meet Claire, our Head of Customer Experience
Jumeirah Capri Palace: an unexpected side of Capri
Jadeene Burrage, Senior Marketing Executive, argues that one of the most intriguing things about Jumeirah Capri Palace is something you might not expect to find at a hotel on Capri.
"When you think of Capri, art probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind", says Jadeene. "But I love that it’s such a big part of the hotel. There are pieces everywhere, so you’re almost discovering them as you go".
The hotel’s White Museum brings contemporary art into its spaces, with works by artists including Giorgio de Chirico, Arnaldo Pomodoro and Mimmo Paladino appearing throughout the property. One of the most striking is Pomodoro’s Rive dei Mari, a 40-metre site-specific work inspired by the seabed.
And for anyone who, like Jadeene, would want to know more than the name on the plaque, there’s an Art Concierge offering guided itineraries through the collection and the stories behind individual works. The cultural trail can continue beyond the hotel, too, with guided visits to Anacapri landmarks including Villa San Michele, Casa Rossa and the Monumental Church of San Michele.
"That’s the kind of thing I’d make time for", adds Jadeene. "Capri is obviously beautiful, but I like finding something a little different to do when I travel – especially something I might not have known about before I went".
Meet Jadeene, our Senior Marketing Executive
Or discover why Jumeirah Capri Palace might be the perfect match for your Italian escape
The details that make a stay
The best hotel recommendations aren’t always about the biggest suite, the longest restaurant list or the most impressive infinity pool. Often, it’s the smaller details that stay with you – knowing where to go for a drink before dinner, discovering an experience you hadn’t expected or finding a location that feels even more special once you arrive.
That’s why first-hand knowledge matters to us. When our team travels, we take notes, swap recommendations and come home with the kind of tips you won’t always find in a hotel brochure.
Because choosing the right hotel isn’t simply about finding somewhere exceptional. It’s about finding somewhere that feels right for you – and knowing how to make the most of it once you’re there.
Call our team on 0203 816 0985 or submit an online enquiry today and find your very own tried and tested favourite.
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