Europe's evergreen holiday island Mallorca has grown to become one of the country's – perhaps even the content's – most prized summer destinations; a bountiful trinity of sun, sea and slow pace. Once almost a no-go zone, the island begun a rapid transformation of reputation from the 80s until now, its mountainous Tramuntana region now declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and footloose travellers now making up a huge proportion of the island's economy.
Fuelled by the search for quiet, comfort and sustainability, and of course, a return to nature, we rounded up a list of 15 of the best hotels in Mallorca, from boutique stays on organic farmlands to luxurious historic estates and creative communes.
1. Palma Riad
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The Palma Riad is a petite boutique hotel made up of only 11 suites located in the heart of the city the Palma Zero zone. Being adults only, you can have the liveliness of the city being moments away, but also have the ability to come back to an oasis of tranquility at the solarium, cocktail bar and restaurant.
2. Sa Cova Fornalutx
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If you're hoping to stay somewhere that feels a little more like a home, located a 40-minute drive from Palma de Mallorca's Sant Joan airport, Sa Cova sleeps up to eight guests in a 19th century home in Fornalutx, a beautiful village tucked amongst the highest peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana. Amenities include three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a library, pool, fully-equipped kitchen and a casita (or guest house) with an extra bedroom and ensuite.
3. Casa Mana
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This luxury four-bedroom renovated 110-year-old Mallorquín farmhouse overlooks the Tramuntana mountains, and four hectares of the property's organic land, home to an abundance of olive, carob and fruit trees. Located just a 25-minute drive from the vibrant city of Palma and a only 30 minutes from the shores of Pollença beach and port, this spacious 300m2 estate spans two floors, as well as an inviting 15-meter swimming pool. It's about as scenic and sustainable of a stay as you can get, the house powered by its own solar panels and batteries, and boasting a solar-powered car charger.
4. Casa Balandra
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Casa Balandra is a creative residency, guest house and art space that aims to celebrate food, collaboration and conviviality. A platform for creating connections between creatives, particularly in the fields of cooking, art and design, the space has been been carefully curated by a diverse community with vintage trinkets and traces of past artists. By day, lounge by the pool or in the garden, and by night light candles and commune over shared meals.
5. Son Brull
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A rural sanctuary is the 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel Son Brull, found in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana. Embraced by 32 hectares of vineyards and orchards, the historic 18th century monastery encompasses a wellness spa, restaurant, hotel rooms and several suites. Choose from one of two gastronomic experiences that use fresh produce from on-site beehives, laying hens and citrus groves.
6. The Lodge
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Surrounded by lavender fields and olive groves, this massive 388-acre plot of land houses 24 terracotta and Mallorcan stone suites, along with three pools and an all-day restaurant that serves up locally sourced cuts of meat, alongside homegrown produce over a crackling wood fire. If lounging by the pool isn't enough, the refuge also offers free yoga classes for guests, and maintains hiking and cycling paths.
7. La Residencia
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Since stumbling across a crumbling mansion near the village of Deià in the late 80s, entrepreneur Richard Branson transformed the property into La Residencia, the island's first exclusive 5-star resort that once played host to Princess Diana. Now owned by Belmond, the space has a distinctly bohemian spirit, catering to the epicureans and resident artists with 71 bedrooms, an art gallery, two artists’ studios, four restaurants, two outdoor pools, tennis courts, a kids’ club, and mountain trails.
8. Brondo Architect hotel
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Brondo Architect hotel is what you get when a local architecture firm turn their corporate building in the centre of Palma de Mallorca into a 4-star boutique hotel. The space's stunning architectural character decks out 20 rooms and common areas. It's central location is a perfect platform from which to enjoy the culture of Palma de Mallorca's historical city centre, but you can also stay put, enjoying the hotel's open air gym, yoga, and retaurant.
9. Hotel Predi Son Jaumell
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This relaxed hotel in rural Capdepera boasts 24 suites in a restored 18th-century building less than 10 minutes from the beach. This serene and luxurious estate comes complete with a Michelin-star restaurant. This is also a good spot for golfers, with several courses close by. Arrange an al fresco massage, be served tea and cake in the property's small library, explore the property's orchards or simply nestle into your room's king-sized bed.
11. Hotel Corazón
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Located in the Tramuntana Mountains, between Deià and Sóller, Hotel Corazón is one of the island's newest boutique accommodations. The 15-room Mallorcan mountain hotel, farm, restaurant, art space and shop is the brain child of photographer Kate Bellm and her partner Edgar, and resides in a renovated historic finca nestled between the mountains and the sea. Each room is individually designed, so that each offers a new and unique experience for guests, while its in-house Mediterranean-inspired restaurant (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner) uplifts local, seasonal, medicinal fares from the hotel's own abundant garden beds.
10. Cap Rocat
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Romantic getaways don't get more special than this 19th century cliff-top ex-military fortress on the outskirts of Palma. Made up of 27 suites, each with large sea-facing terraces, and an alfresco restaurant, infinity pool, private cinema and sandy beach area, its simply unmatched in its luxury and privacy.
11.Palau Sa Font, La Lonja
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This 16th Century family friendly boutique hotel has charm and luxuriousness, located in the Palma zone of Mallorca. Its central location makes a walk in the old town city, or a trip to the beach no more than a 15 minute walk.
12. Hotel Sant Francesc
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Stay in a 19th century mansion that is rich in art and history, located in Palma de Mallorca.
13. Son Palou, Orient
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If you're looking to stay away from the city and into the Tramuntana mountain range, Son Palou is the perfect oasis. With a large swimming pool overlooking the mountains and having renowned restaurants known for their gastronomy, the opportunity to immerse in Mallorcas countryside through sites and taste is optimal here.
14. S’Hotel D’es Puig
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If you're look for something more quaint in the village of Deià, nestled in the Serra de Tramuntana is both rich in history and affordable to stay. Offering cycling tours, a swimming pool and a cocktail bar.
