The Balearic High Court has partially upheld an appeal filed by the environmentalists GOB and has annulled the hotel use permit in the concession for the Alcudiamar marina in Puerto Alcudia.
The court has ruled that the original concession did not permit tourist accommodation. GOB point out that when the Balearic Ports Authority granted an extension of the concession to Alcudiamar in 2016, this "only permitted rooms for sailors, a port service intended for crews, and not an establishment open to the general public". The ruling therefore rejects the interpretation that for years has allowed the operation of the 'Botel' and concludes that its operation as a hotel or tourist resort lacks legal basis.
The environmentalists have formally called on Alcudia Town Council and the Council of Mallorca's tourism department to "immediately close and seal the establishment", considering that it operates without the corresponding municipal licence. GOB say that the area is port public domain and is subject to a particularly restrictive regime. "The ruling reinforces the need to limit uses to those expressly authorised and to curb intensive tourist activities in areas designated for port functions."
GOB go on to say that the relevant authorities "have tolerated for years an activity that is now clearly illegal" and argue that the lack of action could violate the principles of legality and urban and tourism planning regulations. They are also demanding that the town hall revokes the licence granted in 2000 for the creation of a sailing school and accommodation for sailors, arguing that a "nautical resort" has been operated without any authorised tourist accommodation.
Responding to GOB's demands, Alcudia's mayor, Fina Linares, states: "We cannot seal off an establishment that has a licence authorising it to operate as a sailing school and offer apartments for sailors." The town hall is meanwhile processing the legalisation of the buildings requested by Alcudiamar, which did not comply with the municipal licence at the time.
Alcudiamar insists that it has not operated the accommodation under a hotel-apartment tourist model since April 2024. "Currently, Alcudiamar operates the public accommodation as a complementary service within a sports and tourism centre. It is not operating a hotel open to the general public, but rather accommodation for sailors linked to nautical and port activities."
The company notes that a 2025 court order confirmed that the cessation of hotel activity did not preclude other authorised uses. "Alcudiamar reaffirms its respect for court rulings and its right to appeal the points not yet final, while the concession and its extension remain fully in force."
The Botel Alcudiamar features on accommodation booking websites. Trivago, for example, describes it as "a four-star hotel located in the north of the island of Palma de Mallorca (sic)". EasyJet Holidays list it; a further example. The establishment is itself now referred to as Alcudiamar Marina Residence. The main page of the website states: "Welcome to your accommodation for sailors."