Paul Slijper: Owner of L'Avenida Boutique Hotel & Mallorca Boat Tours

Tell us a little bit about your businesses, how they started out and where you're based...

We have two businesses in Mallorca, the luxury boutique hotel L’Avenida and a powerboat company offering luxury coastal excursions and private charter. We moved out to Mallorca from the UK in 2006 to open the hotel. It took nearly a year to renovate the listed 1907 Soller townhouse.

The boat business is new and started this year, in 2016. The idea is to offer high-end half and full day excursions to some Mallorca’s most glorious beaches – with a fully stocked booze fridge and a delicious picnic.

What makes Mallorca a special place to be for someone in the tourist business?

Great climate, beautiful scenery, fascinating visitors and guests from all over Europe and worldwide.

What are the best bits about your job?

‘Turning the frown upside down!’ – our job is so binary - to make people feel happy at the hotel and out on the boat.

And the worst bits?

When the hotel is closed in the winter and it’s raining, things can seem a little gloomy! So we head off and travel somewhere more exotic.

What is in store for the future with L'Avenida Boutique Hotel, any exciting projects in the pipelines that you can share with us?

The hotel is adding a few new rooms and a lovely vintage café this winter, so we’ll have a fresh new look for the entrance when we open in February 2017.

What are you personal and professional goals for the future?

Just to keep the hotel at the pinnacle of its success and continue to deliver amazing service and experiences for our clients.

Where would you send someone who was after that 'something special' in Mallorca to eat or drink?

I’d send them up to Bens D’Avall between Soller and Deia for chilled cava on the terrace and fabulous romantic dinner, or lunch at Ca's Patro March at Cala Deia for lashings of rosé and seafood, followed by a cooling swim.

Your favourite place for lunch or dinner, if you're just looking for a quick bite to eat?

A quick bite with style has to be Cappuccino (any location, but Puerto Portals is so much fun for people watching).

Where will we find the best coffee, paella or empanades?

Best coffee – pretty much anywhere in Mallorca. Best paella – has to be Sa Foradada (by boat of course, and we can take you there!).

What has been your best ever day in Mallorca?

The day we opened the hotel. It was my birthday and the Mayor of Soller came to cut the ribbon.

Do you remember your first trip to the island?

I guess I was a teenager, so the waterparks certainly stick in my mind.

What do you do when you're not working?

Play some tennis, take long lunches and try to snooze under a shady tree in the garden. Or maybe take a swim in the amazing sea around Mallorca.

Which is your favourite shop in Mallorca?

The tiny little deli in Soller called 'Colmado' on Calle Luna – we call it ‘Fortnums’ because it has so many lovely treats.

Yachts or speedboats? What's your preference & why?

Speedboats – they get you quickly to so many stunning beaches and coves in a day.

If someone was coming here for the first time, what would you suggest they absolutely must do or see in Mallorca?

Take the old train from Palma to Soller, eat an ice cream from Fet a Soller in the square and dine at Agapanto by the beach in Port de Soller.

What is your favourite beach?

Es Trenc.

What's your tip to escape the crowds in the summer?

Take a well-earned holiday in Galicia, you’ll never escape the crowds in Mallorca.

If you are looking for accommodation in the Soller area, or want to explore Mallorca's coves and beaches by boat, you can get in touch with Paul at L’Avenida Boutique Hotel and book one of their half-day boat trips of the South East or South West coast of Mallorca, their full-day tour, or their special sunset boat trip.