The largest island of the Balearic Archipelago and arguably the jewel of the Mediterranean, Mallorca is able to boast some of the finest hotels in Europe, many of which are set in iconic surroundings. We have included within this blog 10 of the Island’s finest examples of luxury, tranquillity, gastronomy and service. These hotels are listed in no particular order and are an illustration of what this wonderful location has to offer.
This former military fortress is set in a beautiful secluded beachfront area overlooking the Bay of Palma and has been converted into a truly stunning hotel whilst maintaining its unique architecture and natural environment. The hotel offers an amazing guest experience with exceptional service and first class facilities.
Located within an environmental protection area the grounds include 24 luxury boutique bedrooms and suites, some of which have their own private terraces or patios. There is an infinity pool, a wellness spa, a small fitness centre, two restaurants and a private beach.
The award winning fine dining Fortress Restaurant specialises in Mediterranean and Mallorcan cuisine prepared utilising new culinary techniques using the freshest locally sourced produce. The al fresco Sea Club which is situated on the sea front and offers dishes cooked using a traditional Mallorcan wood fired oven and grill is less formal. The Sea Club is open from 30th April until 29th October. Private dining is also catered for within the old fortress kitchen or individually set up in a romantic setting within the hotel grounds.
The hotel offers a wide range of sporting activities from water skiing, diving, cycling, tennis and hiking. The closest golf course is approximately 5 miles distant.
This unique hotel is aimed specifically at adults although children over the age of 14 years are welcome.
This 5 star luxury Spa Hotel, part of the famous Jumeirah Hotel group, is on the northwest coast of the island, a twenty five minute drive from the airport.
Located on the edge of the Serra de Tramuntana Mountain Range and occupying a cliff top position overlooking Port de Soller and the Mediterranean, the hotel comprises 121 rooms and suites distributed around eleven buildings all connected within beautiful scented gardens.
The bedrooms all have either a mountain view or look out across a calm blue Mediterranean Sea. The hotel is renowned for the exemplary staff who are both friendly and helpful and offer outstanding service.
Within its grounds the hotel has two al fresco restaurants with stunning views across the surrounding countryside and crystal blue waters. Additionally there is a sushi lounge and two outdoor swimming pool bars which also serve snack menus.
For those wishing to relax the health spa offers a wide range of beauty treatments and there is also well equipped gymnasium.
This iconic location and wonderful hotel lends itself to those seeking a quiet and peaceful holiday.
Port de Soller is a short distance away and is well worth a visit for both its shopping and wide range of restaurants. The village of Deiá and small town of Valldemossa are both located in the region and are a must see for anyone visiting Mallorca for the first time.
Located on the northwest coast of Mallorca at Deià some 22 miles from Palma airport, Belmond La Residencia is a luxury five star boutique hotel nestling in the beautiful Serra de Tramuntana Mountain Range with stunning views out over the Mediterranean.
Consisting of two 16th and 17th century manor houses and set in 30 acres of lush gardens, citrus terraces and olive groves on the edge of the village of Deiá, the hotel, which was originally owned by Richard Branson, is frequently the refuge of celebrities. Harrison Ford, Princess Diana, Tom Hanks and Andrew Lloyd Webber have stayed here amongst many others.
The hotel offers 67 individually designed and decorated bedrooms and guest suites in addition to a three-bedroomed private villa with its own swimming pool.
Within the grounds, there are two outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a gymnasium with an on-site personal trainer, an award-winning health spa, heated pool, sauna and Jacuzzi. Additionally, there is a sculpture garden and an art gallery which is often used to host concerts and exhibitions.
Fine dining takes place in the hotel’s El Olivo restaurant, one of the best on Mallorca, whilst the Café Miro is a bistro/bar providing lunches, snacks, dinner and extremely tasty tapas. There is also a poolside restaurant serving drinks and lunches.
Belmond La Residencia’s donkeys live what appears to be an idyllic existence and are used to carry guests’ picnic hampers up into the surrounding hills for those who want to experience stunning views and leisurely hikes around the immediate area.
The village of Deiá, famous for being the home of the writer Robert Graves, is a short walk from the hotel and contains a number of renowned restaurants and charming taverns.
The hotel will be closed from the 6th November 2016 to the 30th March 2017.
Located halfway between Port de Pollença and the lighthouse on the Formentor peninsular, this five-star hotel overlooks Formentor and Pollença Bays and the nearby island of Illa de Formentor. The hotel is situated within beautifully manicured grounds and is completely surrounded by pine forest. The hotel’s secluded beach, just a two-minute walk from your room, is one of the best on Mallorca with beautiful fine white sand and crystal clear waters.
The location is spectacular with stunning views across the nearby mountains and blue Mediterranean waters.
Classic in style the hotel has a long history of attracting celebrities; Winston Churchill stayed here and Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier popped in during their honeymoon in 1956.
The 122 bedrooms and suites are all individually decorated and there are also a number of villas set within the grounds with their own private swimming pool.
Barceló Formentor boasts five restaurants, three of which are beach fronted and all are renowned for the quality of their food and service. The El Colomer Restaurant within the main body of the hotel has an a la carte menu and specialises in Mediterranean and International cuisine. Those wanting a fine dining experience will not be disappointed with the Restaurant El Pi, overlooking the swimming pool, and specialising in classical and creative dishes.
This is a very family friendly hotel with many on site activities including mini golf, tennis, canoeing, snorkelling, water skiing and scuba diving. Cycle hire is available and horse riding can be booked from the hotel. The area around the hotel is ideal for hiking and exploring on foot.
There are two swimming pools, a wellness centre and beauty salon.
Whilst there are plenty of opportunities to stay active the hotel also lends itself perfectly to those seeking a pampered, peaceful and relaxing vacation set within a wonderful environment.
Opened in 2003 and part of the Relais & Châteaux Association, this 5 star family run hotel nestling at the foot of the Tramuntana Mountain Range is a short distance from the town of Pollença and approximately a fifty minute drive from Palma Airport.
Described as a rural boutique hotel, Son Brull is a converted 18th century Jesuit monastery that has a luxury contemporary design and is surrounded by its own organic fruit and vegetable farm consisting of lemon, almond and orange trees, ancient olive groves and a vineyard. The vineyard produces enough grapes for the hotel to make its own wine, Negre Son Brull and the farm produces fresh quality fruit and vegetables for the hotel’s renowned gourmet restaurant 3/65. There is also a separate bar that serves tasty tapas.
There are twenty-three individually designed and decorated bedrooms and suites, a luxury health spa, gymnasium, outdoor swimming pool and a tennis court.
Activities including cycling, hiking and water sports can be arranged from the hotel which is 5 miles from Pollença Bay.
The hotel is known for its relaxed atmosphere, commitment to the environment and friendly and attentive staff. Ideal for a chilled out romantic holiday!
Often described as a hidden paradise and golfer’s dream this luxury country hotel is part of a 500 acre private estate located in a beautiful valley in southeast Mallorca close to the town of Manacor.
The hotel is a former 17th-century manor house consisting of 23 classic bedrooms and suites many of which have private terraces and overlook Rotana’s exclusive private golf course. The estate, one of the largest on the island, includes a working farm, arable and sheep grazing land, a forest, vineyards and sporting facilities.
In addition to the main hotel there are also 4 villas and an 8 bedroomed guesthouse within the grounds.
For the golfer there is a private 9 hole course for use by hotel and restaurant guests only, a driving range, putting green, chipping green and practice bunker. There are no Green fees and costs are included within the room price or ‘Golf menu’. Residents may play as often as they wish. There is an on-site PGA pro teacher and hotel guests attract discounted rates at some of the other local courses.
A tennis court, gymnasium and outdoor pool are complemented by massage rooms and a sauna.
Fine dining is provided by the Sa Rotana Restaurant whilst the Bistro Rotana is less formal. Restaurant ingredients are ecologically produced and cultivated on the estate along with the grapes which are used to make the Rotana wines.
Mountain biking, horse riding and small game hunting can all be organised by the hotel and there is an exercise route through a local nature reserve. For peace and quiet, good food and wine and a round or two of golf for those so inclined, this setting is difficult to beat.
This luxury 5 star boutique hotel is located on a hillside overlooking the village of Puigpunyent in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana, a mountain range designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel is set in a 17th century mansion with beautiful gardens surrounded by pine forests and spectacular views. It lies northwest of Palma and is approximately thirty five minutes’ drive from the airport.
The hotel’s 31 rooms and suites are all individually decorated and uniquely furnished with antique furniture, beamed ceilings and marble bathrooms.
A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Gran Hotel Son Net boasts two fine dining restaurants, Oleum Restaurant and the less formal Gazebo Restaurant both provisioned almost exclusively by vegetables from gardens within the grounds of the hotel.
A recent addition to the hotel is an ‘adult’ tree house, ideal for romantic dinners or private cocktail parties. Additionally there is a poolside bar serving light snacks and a further cocktail bar.
The hotel is famous for its collection of original works of contemporary art by Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Mark Chagall and Frank Stella.
A large 30 metre outdoor swimming pool is complemented by a health and beauty spa. The hotel is ideally suited for a number of outdoor activities including cycling, horse riding, climbing, hiking, canyoning, hot air balloon rides and golf, all of which can be organised by the hotel. There are 4 wonderful golf courses all within a 30 minute drive of Gran Hotel Son Net.
The tranquillity and iconic location of this beautiful hotel allow its guests to choose between a gently relaxing and pampered experience, an energetic activity based holiday in a little bit of luxury or simply a combination of both.
The hotel is situated within a 325-acre estate to the northeast of the town of Andratx close to Calvià, a 20 minute drive north from Mallorca’s airport. The renovated 14th century castle has been converted into a luxury 5 star boutique hotel with breathtaking views across the Tramuntana Mountain Range. Castell Son Claret is a secluded and beautiful hotel that oozes charm and serenity.
Opened in 2013 the hotel has quickly and deservedly gained a reputation for excellence. The 38 bedrooms and suites are located within the main castle building or form part of the half dozen or so out buildings which are located close by surrounded by wonderfully fragranced gardens.
Most rooms and suites have private patios or gardens and the hotel’s motto of ‘The Luxury of Silence’ is well demonstrated throughout with attentive but unobtrusive staff.
A wonderfully romantic retreat, Castell Son Claret also caters for gastronomes with their 2 Michelin starred Zaranda Restaurant under the extremely talented chef Fernando Pérez Arellano and their less formal Olivera Terrace Restaurant serving a la carte Spanish-Mediterranean cuisine.
There is also an on-site bakery making afternoon tea at the castle a treat not to be missed!
There is a pool bar serving bar snacks and refreshments next to the panoramic outdoor pool and the main Castell Bar which is built within the former estate chapel.
A magnificent Health and Wellness Spa which includes a heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room and treatment rooms ensures guests are relaxed and pampered.
Those requiring a little more in the way of exercise can avail themselves of the resident cycle coach who can lead individual cycle tours with quality road bikes or suggest a choice of cycle routes for those who would prefer to go it alone but with the confidence of a bike GPS!
The area lends itself to wonderful walks and is a short drive away from sand and sea. If you would prefer to remain active at the hotel there is a tennis court and a 7-kilometre jogging course.
In the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana Mountain Range, which stretches across the northwest coast of Mallorca, is the small town of Valldemossa. The composer Chopin stayed in the town in 1835 and described the area as the ‘most beautiful place in the world’. This statement is often echoed by many of today’s visitors.
Hotel Valldemossa is a member of the Relais & Châteaux Association and consists of converted 19th century stone farm houses set in 17 acres of grounds, perched on a hill, with stunning views over the mountains, surrounding country side and the Bay of Palma some 12 miles distant.
This small, luxury hotel in an enchanted setting comprises of three double bedrooms and nine suites. All the guest accommodation is classically designed and furnished whilst retaining an individual style.
The hotel is surrounded by multiple terraces on many different levels which all provide tranquillity and wonderful 360° vistas.
The gourmet restaurant, which is also open to non-residents, is renowned for the quality of its cuisine and is popular with those seeking a romantic candlelit dinner under the stars on the terrace.
The hotel grounds consist of olive groves and private landscaped gardens.
The outdoor swimming pool is complemented by a Health Spa with indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi and a choice of beauty therapies. The hotel staff are both friendly and attentive and the whole ambience is one of peace, tranquillity and relaxation.
Hotel Valldemossa is a very short walk from the centre of town which is a popular area for those interested in Mallorca’s culture and history. The town also contains a number of popular restaurants and tapas bars.
Those who enjoyed the recent BBC television series ‘The Night Manager’, much of which was filmed on Mallorca, will recognise the Hospes Maricel and Spa which was used by the series producers’ as the location for a hotel restaurant purportedly in Monaco. Five minutes drive from Palma City centre and located on the water’s edge overlooking the Mediterranean, this converted 16th century mansion house is now a sophisticated, chic 5 star luxury hotel.
The original mansion which houses 29 spacious bedrooms and suites is connected to the avant garde styled Natura annexe which contains a further 22 guest rooms.
Located right on the sea front, the views out across the Bay of Palma are wonderful and the sunsets often spectacular, particularly from the hotel’s cocktail bar.
Whilst the renaissance style architecture of the old mansion house with columns, arches and sea front arcade give this hotel its iconic appearance the interior is minimalistic whilst exuding an air of sophistication and calmness.
The innovative fine dining Restaurante Maricel, with two lounges and a terrace overlooking the sea, specialises in fresh locally sourced Mediterranean cuisine and includes an eight course tasting menu. The hotel is further renowned for the breakfast it serves winning the accolade of ‘Best breakfast in the world’ from an independent panel of critics at the Madrid Fusion Conference.
Hospes Maricel offers exceptional Spa and beauty facilities and treatments to its clients with some of the treatment rooms set into caves next to the sea. It is a wonderful place to relax and be pampered whilst enjoying one of the island’s more well established and unique hotels.
Facilities include a gymnasium and outdoor infinity pool with sun terrace. If you want to relax and unwind but be close enough to all that Palma has to offer, then serious consideration should be given to choosing Hospes Maricel and Spa as your destination!
