It’s the end of a meal out and you’ve been presented with the bill. Suddenly the pleasure of the food you’ve just eaten is replaced by a faint wave of anxiety as you realise you’ve got to work out how much to tip.
If you tip too little will you face the wrath of the waiting staff? Will you end up tipping too much? And if the service was bad, should you tip at all?
The debate is not restricted to restaurants – gratuities can be offered to many workers including hairdressers, taxi drivers and hotel porters.
But there are no hard and fast rules about how much you have to leave.
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‘Show appreciation for good service’
Mae, a 17-year-old waitress for a small business, says she doesn’t expect customers to tip on top of the service charge that is added to the bill.
“So it’s quite unusual for customers to tip afterwards, which is fine. Lots of customers actually double check that when they’re paying that there is service on there and that it gets divided fairly.”
But she says one of her friends works somewhere where they don’t add a service charge so the customers there do tip – mostly.
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A tip is “an uncalled for and spontaneous payment offered by a customer,” according to the government, whereas a service charge is “an amount added to the customer’s bill before it is presented”.
Etiquette expert Laura Akano, from Polished Manners, says it’s always “up to the individual” how much to tip but thinks “it’s important to show appreciation if you’ve had a good service”.
If a service charge is discretionary you can ask for it to be removed. If it’s mandatory you can’t – but the establishment must make this clear to you verbally or in writing before you order.
Both tips and service charges may be shared between many staff – for example, the person who brought you your dish as well as the one who washed it up.
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‘My regulars took me out and paid for my drinks’
Peter, 40, from Leeds, says the most memorable tip he got was from his two favourite regulars in a pub.
He knew them well, and would have their pints poured for them before they reached the bar.
One evening he was closing up and they invited him to join them – at a local strip club.
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“They paid for all my drinks, and a dance for me,” he says. “That was generous.”
On his final shift at the bar some other regular customers pressed £10 notes into his hands and wished him well, “which was very kind of them”, he says.
However, he has also worked in restaurants where tips were withheld by the management, and a hotel where the service charge was never paid to staff.
“But when you need a job, and that’s what’s available, you don’t really argue too loudly,” he says.
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The new law means the service charge must now be paid to staff.
‘It’s nice to have a guide’
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It’s entirely up to you how much you leave as a tip, but many tourism websites suggest leaving about 10% to 15% in the UK.
Where Mae works, a 12.5% service charge is added to the bill.
Jemma Swallow, who used to own a tea shop in London, says 10% “covers most situations, without leaving the customer resentful of being asked for it and the staff for not receiving one”.
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Ms Akano agrees that 10% is about right. “Whether people do that or not is a different thing but it’s nice to have a guide.”
Outside the UK, in countries such as the US, tipping can involve paying more than 20%, which is often compulsory even if the service is mediocre.
Mae says she doesn’t tip in the UK because the service is almost always included, but did when she went to the US.
“I did tip every time because the tipping culture is different there. That being said, it was a bit uncomfortable at times.”
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In some Asian countries tipping is seen as rude, although the spread of Western-brand hotels is making the practice less of a taboo.
“Penelope”, not her real name, is a kitchen manager and says the level of tip depends on where you’re eating.
If it’s a Hungry Horse, you have certain expectations of what the meal will be like, and will tip accordingly. If you’re dining at the Ivy, however, you’re likely to tip more “to give the impression you’re a big spender”, she says.
“At the end of the day, it’s theatre,” she adds.
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‘It feels like blackmail’
Nige Eaton says a service charge ‘does feel like some sort of blackmail’
Nige Eaton doesn’t like it when a service charge is automatically added to the bill
If a discretionary service charge has been added to your bill and you don’t think it should have been then you have the right to ask for it to be removed.
Regular restaurant goer Nige Eaton, 56, from Bedfordshire, says he’s always been concerned that tips don’t reach staff, and doesn’t like eateries that automatically add a service charge.
“When it’s printed on the bill, it does feel like some sort of blackmail and some customers feel forced to pay it, which is wrong,” he says.
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If staff do a good job, they should be tipped – but this should be down to the customer, he says.
Etiquette expert John-Paul Stuthridge says it’s prudent to check restaurant websites to see whether a service charge is included “given the prevalence of ‘surprise’ service charges”.
“You could ask a member of staff, but discretion is the name of the game, so try to ask them swiftly and out of earshot from your guests.”
Ms Akano suggests letting a member of staff know you’re unhappy about the charge before the bill even arrives. This way they might remove the service charge for you.
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‘A good review helps more than loose change’
Tipping in many industries has evolved from the days of leaving spare change on a table, with card and contactless payments now the norm.
However, “the spirit of tipping to thank hardworking staff remains strong,” says Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade group UK Hospitality.
“If you want to tip a particular person, a cash tip will allow them to keep it themselves, while leaving a tip on the bill or behind on the table will benefit the whole team, from front-of-house to chefs and kitchen porters working hard in the kitchen.”
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An alternative to tipping in the 21st Century could be leaving a social media post, which people increasingly do, and is “honestly very appreciated”, according to Mae, who says her bosses “are really on it with things like reposting stories where people have photos of the food”.
Mr Stuthridge says leaving a positive review on social media can actually be worth more than a good tip, depending on the size and nature of the restaurant.
“The time and energy spent to leave a good review probably helps the business more in the long term than any loose change could.”
Thank you Meredith Whittaker for debunking artificial intelligence systems as the “derivatives of massive network monopolies” (Lunch with the FT, September 28).
I tried to share this inspirational content (which I read in old school paper format) with my daughter, but was paywalled by the online FT, and at the same time cookie-bannered, with the FT telling me they would share my personal data (browsing history) with Google DoubleClick, which is currently under investigation as part of the US Department of Justice’s antitrust investigation into Google’s ad tech monopoly.
Whittaker, who is head of the Signal encrypted messaging service company, ended the article with a call for tech to be “an infrastructure for . . . honesty in the face of surveillance”.
I ended up photographing the article and emailed it to my daughter to avoid Google having access to this data. Now Apple (my phone manufacturer) and Microsoft (my email provider) have their mitts on it instead.
AN iconic high street brand with more than 1,000 UK locations is set to shut a popular branch in a major blow to a town’s trade.
Argos will be closing its large store in Plymouth city centre this month, delivering another hit to the already struggling high street.
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Argos will be closing down its Plymouth storeCredit: Alamy
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It will be a major blow to the city’s already struggling high streetCredit: Alamy
The standalone store in the former Derrys building on Royal Parade will close on the evening of October 17.
But a new Argos “store-in-store” will open the next day inside the nearby Sainsbury’s superstore at the Armada Centre.
Sainsbury’s, which acquired Argos in a £1.4 billion deal in 2016, has not yet commented on possible job losses, but reports suggest that up to 30 staff could face redundancy as part of the closure.
This is part of a broader trend, with Sainsbury’s gradually shutting standalone Argos outlets and relocating them inside its supermarkets.
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Plymouth previously saw its New George Street Argos store close in 2016, with the Marsh Mills Sainsbury’s superstore hosting a replacement outlet.
With Argos sales falling, Sainsbury’s also discontinued Argos’ iconic printed catalogue in 2020 and has committed to closing 420 standalone stores by March 2024.
Since March 2023, 72 outlets have already shut, with 213 remaining.
Despite lower consumer demand for electronics and games, Sainsbury’s continues to expand its “store-in-store” Argos model, planning to close an additional 20 standalone stores this financial year while opening around 10 new in-supermarket branches.
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Plymouth will retain another Argos store at Transit Way.
Argos, founded in 1972, became a high street staple with its catalogue-based model, and today operates around 1,230 outlets across the UK, including those inside Sainsbury’s.
I’m a pro bargain-hunter and there’s 10 things you need to get from Costco – the tumblers scream summer day drinks
While sales grew 1.7% to £4.23 billion in the year to March 2024, pre-tax profits dropped 15.3% to £277 million.
CHRISTMAS is on the horizon, but the run-up to the festive season does not have to damage your finances.
The key to frugal festivities is organisation, pouncing on the best deals and not impulse-buying, according to experts.
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Christmas is on the horizon, but the run-up to the festive season does not have to damage your finances.Credit: Getty
Dani Whitehead, of the credit-building firm Loqbox, said: “Vendors know they can take advantage of high demand and last-minute shoppers. Do shopping early and avoid higher prices and queues.”
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Harriet Cooke looks at key sales dates and other tips to spread the cost.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
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Morrisons is selling two tubs of famous-name chocolates for £8 at the momentCredit: Alamy
FOR chocolates and sweets, look for the supermarket loyalty scheme deals or multi-buy offers starting this month.
At the moment, Morrisons is selling two tubs of famous-name chocolates for £8.
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Sarah-Jane Outten, of My VoucherCodes, said: “Many of the deals come to an end as soon as December kicks in.”
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
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Shopping comparison site idealo.co.uk allows you to set up email alerts if your chosen items fall to a certain priceCredit: Getty
IT is not too early to draw up a list of potential gifts for loved ones, so you can monitor prices and get the best deals.
Shopping comparison site idealo.co.uk allows you to set up email alerts if your chosen items fall to a certain price.
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There is a handy graph to show you the item’s lowest cost all year, giving you a target.
Only buy from reputable sites that you have heard of and trust, and never buy at full price.
TUE & WED, OCTOBER 8-9
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Amazon is holding a day of discounts and deals for Prime membersCredit: Alamy
FOR early gift-hunters, Amazon is holding a day of discounts and deals for Prime members, with brands including LG, Sony, Bose and Tefal.
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I’m a Beauty Writer who’s tested hundreds of beauty advent calendars – these are officially the best
A similar Prime Day in July saw a Ring doorbell and Amazon Echo bundle previously costing £145 reduced to £60.
Check the product’s price history on camelcamel.com to see how good the deal is.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11
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Bookings at Ocado, Asda and Morrisons are already openCredit: Reuters
PLAN your Christmas food delivery. Supermarkets typically open up their Christmas delivery slots in October and November, with
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Sainsbury’s opening its bookings around mid-October and Tesco in early November. Bookings at Ocado, Asda and Morrisons are already open.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
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Check out supermarket toy sales. Sainsbury’s and Smyths are expected to be around mid-OctoberCredit: Alamy
ON the hunt for kids’ presents? Check out supermarket toy sales. Sainsbury’s and Smyths are expected to be around mid-October, with discounted Lego, Barbie, Nerf, Hot Wheels, and Playmobil gifts up for grabs.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20
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Never buy perfume or aftershave at full price and research its previous highest and lowest pricesCredit: Getty
CHECK out the “Fragrance Star Gift” deals at Boots, with discounts on brands such as Boss, Jimmy Choo and Rabanne. Choo perfume, for example, is £33, down from £55, and CK One was £74, now £34.
It ends on October 22, but Boots will have discounts on health and beauty products all the way through November.
Never buy perfume or aftershave at full price and research its previous highest and lowest prices.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
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This week on Amazon you could get a Disney Princess advent calendar for £8, with an RRP of £21.99Credit: Amazon
IF you are buying an advent calendar, particularly a pricey one containing toys, fragrance, books or booze, search online for discounts to avoid buying them at a premium on November 30.
For example, this week on Amazon you could get a Disney Princess advent calendar for £8, with an RRP of £21.99.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1
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‘If you spot a good deal before Black Friday or Cyber Monday, grab it while you can’Credit: Getty
BLACK Friday is not officially until the end of the month, but the sales typically kick off weeks before.
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Liz Hunter, of MoneyExpert.com, said: Black Friday’s reputation as the cheapest time for Christmas shopping is often overstated.
“In fact, a study by Which? found that just one in 50 Black Friday deals are at their cheapest price on the day of the sales extravaganza.
“So if you spot a good deal before Black Friday or Cyber Monday, grab it while you can.”
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7
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Check out the Disney Store website to get a code for 25 per cent off toysCredit: Handout
ANY Disney fans in the family? Check out the Disney Store website to get a code for 25 per cent off toys, such as this Mickey Mouse soft toy.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
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Later in the month, Nike has 25 per cent off for spending £50 or moreCredit: Nike
FOR sports-related presents, Adidas normally has 50 per cent off selected items around this time.
Later in the month, Nike has 25 per cent off for spending £50 or more.
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18
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November is a good time for getting in the festive booze, with supermarkets typically offering 1-litre bottles of Baileys for £10Credit: Getty
MID to late November is a good time for getting in the festive booze, with supermarkets typically offering 1-litre bottles of Baileys for £10.
Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Asda usually offer 25 per cent off six or more bottles of wine, sparkling wine or prosecco around now.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23
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The last week of November has previously seen French Connection doing 30 per cent offCredit: Reuters
GET an array of discounts on designer and high street clothing brands online.
The last week of November has previously seen French Connection doing 30 per cent off, Asos 80 per cent, Disney Store 30 per cent, Ralph Lauren 30 per cent, Urban Outfitters 50 per cent, Gap 20 per cent and Selfridges 20 per cent.
Some shops discount everything, but with others it is only selected items.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25
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‘Reusing last year’s giftwrap leaves more money in the pot to buy the actual presents’Credit: Getty
WITH one month to go, check your wrapping paper supplies before buying any more.
Amy Knight, of NerdWallet, said: “Reusing last year’s giftwrap leaves more money in the pot to buy the actual presents.”
BLACK FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
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Cyber Monday offers another round of online discounts. If you are looking for tech for Christmas, such as a Fitbit or iPadCredit: Alamy
IT’S Black Friday – the year’s biggest shopping day, with deals of up to 80 per cent off.
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Cyber Monday offers another round of online discounts. If you are looking for tech for Christmas, such as a Fitbit or iPad, it is a good time to look, especially if you are prepared to buy an older model rather than the latest.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30
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Here is how to get a letter from SantaCredit: Getty
GET a letter from Santa by sending one to the big man himself at Santa/Father Christmas, Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, XM4 5HQ.
Include your full name and address and don’t forget to put a stamp on it.
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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1
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Last year’s complimentary handouts included a box of chocs and an Apothecary reed diffuser, each worth £6, and Percy Pigs, which usually cost £2Credit: Getty
MARKS & Spencer is likely to start its “12 Days of M&S” online daily deals, with discounts and freebies for members of its loyalty scheme.
Last year’s complimentary handouts included a box of chocs and an Apothecary reed diffuser, each worth £6, and Percy Pigs, which usually cost £2.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
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American Express cardholders can normally get £5 cashback for a minimum spend of £15Credit: Alamy
STARTING from the first Saturday of December and lasting for two weeks, American Express cardholders can normally get £5 cashback for a minimum spend of £15 or more at selected local businesses, normally including clothes shops and hairdressers, after registering their Amex card with the Shop Small website.
It is a great way to cut costs and helps your community.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
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Large delivery companies have struggled to clear the backlog of parcels before Christmas Day, so get orders in by early DecemberCredit: Getty
THE last days for online Christmas orders are normally between December 16 and 20, depending on the retailer.
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But do not leave it until then. In recent years, large delivery companies have struggled to clear the backlog of parcels before Christmas Day, so get orders in by early December.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
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Look out for deals on board games around this timeCredit: Alamy
SMYTHS Toys was running a three-for-two sale on board games about this time last year, so keep an eye out for another promotion.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15
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John Lewis normally does half-price on selected decorations around nowCredit: Getty
MID-December and onwards presents the best opportunity for getting some bargain Christmas decorations. John Lewis, for example, normally does half-price on selected ones around now.
M&S tends to discount from early December.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18
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Keep on top of your posting dates to keep costs down by avoiding First Class stampsCredit: Getty
DASH to the post box! It is the last day for sending Christmas cards by Second Class post, which costs 85p per stamp.
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Send by this date or earlier, or you will need to pay for a First Class stamp, which rises to £1.65 on Monday, for which the last date to post in time for Christmas is December 20.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
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Hold your nerve until supermarkets start slashing the price of sproutsCredit: Getty
Don’t buy any Christmas dinner veg until supermarkets start slashing prices to 19p per kilo. This normally happens around now.
A SMALL red berry drops off the branches shading me from the fierce afternoon sun.
If it hadn’t plopped directly into my glass of vermouth, I wouldn’t have noticed — as the band performing on the cobblestones before me had me fully engrossed.
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Rest up at the peaceful Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resort, located deep in the Majorca countrysideCredit: Supplied
This had become my typical afternoon routine at the peaceful Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resort, deep in rugged countryside on the Spanish island of Majorca.
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When guests aren’t flopped by one of the two peaceful pools (which remain uncrowded even in the school holidays) or reading their getaway novel in a quiet corner by the old windmill, they can get stuck into loads of free activities including tennis, yoga or live music.
My friend Abbie and I chose to curl up on a cushioned sofa in the sun, sipping on the hotel’s own brand of delicious vermouth.
It would be rude not to, as this fortified wine is made by the resort’s star chef, Andreu Genestra, and can’t be bought anywhere else in the world.
This is part of the sustainable ethos at Zoetry, where much of the food is grown in the surrounding gardens, including on ancient trees — rich with juicy fruit and berries — dotted in between the old buildings.
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One of its restaurants, also run by Genestra, was awarded a green star in recognition of its eco-friendly dishes — that is on top of its Michelin star.
Our 12-course tasting menu of elegant Majorcan-style dishes there was nothing shy of delicious.
My favourites included the best potato omelette I’ve ever tried and lentil risotto with ceviche shrimp.
If that all sounds too rich or fancy, don’t panic.
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MAJORCA IS PERFECT SPOT FOR DELICIOUS WINE, GREAT GRUB & PURE RELAXATION
There are three other restaurants serving more casual dishes, from tacos and sushi to salads and fried fish.
This was my first visit to Majorca, and all I really knew of it was what I caught on snippets of ITV’s Love Island.
The panning landscape shots of rugged mountains and lush trees where one solo villa seems to stand isolated from the rest of civilisation looked quite appealing.
And, in all fairness, the lush Zoetry hotel wasn’t all that different, sat in a quiet corner, a 20-minute drive from the busy capital Palma.
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But, to my relief, the place was not littered with bikini-clad singletons looking to “couple-up”.
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The laid-back getaway is located around a secluded 14th century manor houseCredit: Supplied
If you are keen for a more lively atmosphere then you can certainly get that in Palma, but this resort is all about laid-back getaways with a touch of wellness.
After all, it was only 20 years ago that this secluded 14th century manor house belonged to a wealthy family, and the place has certainly kept an air of sophistication about it.
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In fact, many of the original items found when renovating the home are still dotted around, including in the bedrooms, each of which is unique in shape and size and has its own story to tell.
The tiny cove is picture-perfect with the bluest waters, flanked by chalky hills and dotted with little sailing boats.
Our bedroom had a plush super-king bed and patio doors leading on to a leafy garden area with a cushioned sofa — the perfect spot for sipping a morning coffee in our robes and watching the birds peck at fallen berries.
Abbie and I had decided to stick to the wellness theme and instead of hiring a car, like many guests had, we explored the area on electric bikes, which can be rented on-site.
Zoetry is located right at the edge of one of Majorca’s popular cycle routes and the advantage of being in such a remote location meant we rarely needed to cycle with the road traffic.
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Helmets strapped on, we pedalled along empty dirt tracks, past rolling vineyards and through a tortoise conservation area.
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The the lush Zoetry hotel is all about laid-back getaways with a touch of wellnessCredit: Supplied
Best-kept secret
Luckily we spotted the small shells crossing the path ahead of us before whacking our e-bikes up to full speed.
After 30 or so minutes we reached the clifftop above the beach of Cala Pi, on the western side of the island.
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Glancing down, I was sure we must have stumbled upon one of Majorca’s best-kept secrets.
The tiny cove is picture-perfect with the bluest waters, flanked by chalky hills and dotted with little sailing boats.
Ice cream stalls and restaurants selling beer and light bites sit above the beach, at the top of the cliff, although I’d recommend packing a picnic, which is what many of the locals around us had done.
We were grateful for choosing e-bikes over traditional ones on the return leg. Not for achey legs, but for speed.
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If we pedalled fast enough, we would have time for one more vermouth before check-out.
Race you there, Abbie.
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Sophie and Abbie enjoyed a spell of relaxation at the Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resort in MajorcaCredit: Supplied
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GO: Majorca
GETTING THERE: EasyJet flies to Majorca from Luton, Manchester, Newcastle and other UK airports from £14.99 each way. See easyjet.com.
STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ B&B at the Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resort in Majorca is from around £605pp, based on two sharing. See hyatt.com.
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