Palma, the capital of the Balearics and voted as the best city in the World to live in by the Sunday Times. I discovered five of the best boutique and spa hotels that the city has to offer.
Brondo Architect
Best for: The hipster traveller
Created and owned by architects, the Brondo Architect is a hip, modern and funky hotel. Full of character and presenting an architectural concept within a historical building, it showcases two radically different architectural styles – 17th-century classical Mallorcan and industrial chic. I love the New York loft style rooms, exposed beams, wooden floors and bright furniture that make it feel like a homely and a cool place to hang out. There are beautiful common areas and terraces on different floors to relax in or have business meetings.
Each room is individually designed with eclectic pieces of artwork and furniture. My suite called Louis (each suite is named after an historical architect) comes with its own terrace and piano. Louis (Kahn) is an Estonian architect known for his monumentality. Full of light, beautifully designed and with a separate lounge and bedroom area it really is big enough to live in!
I could of stayed for longer than one night and enjoyed this space and the lovely outdoor terrace with day bed on a summers day.
Brondo Architect, Carrer de Can 4, 07001 Palma de Majorca. Tel. (+34) 971 720 507
[email protected]
Hotel Tres
Best for: The Wellness traveller
Swedish owned, the Hotel Tres does not officially advertise itself as a wellness hotel but I think it’s Palma’s best kept secret! There’s a gym to work out in, and on the roof terrace, not only will you find stunning views of the city but also a swimming pool and sauna. Watching the sunset over the cathedral whilst sat in the sauna was certainly a first and memorable moment for me!
They do amazing healthy sandwiches and salads called ‘scandi tapas’, created by celebrity nutritionist and author Ulrika Daviddsson. These are mouth-watering explosions of yummy superfood heaven on a plate! Then there’s raw food balls for snacking and zingy green smoothies to keep you going all day.
They’ve done modern and minimalist extremely well in this converted 16th Century Palace, the whole hotel design is Scandanavian mixed in with Medieval. It’s a trendy place where people like to hang out and there’s a social atmospheric vibe downstairs in the bar, and up on the roof terrace where you can enjoy a cocktail. The manager Sven who hails from Norway made me feel very welcome and I can understand why the hotel has a lot of repeat guests.
Hotel Tres, Calle Apuntadores 3, 07012 Palma de Mallorca. Tel. (+34) 971 717333 (+34) 971 717372 [email protected]
Art Hotel
Best for: The Culturist
Arriving at the Art Hotel, you can’t help but feel overwhelmed by its ambience and sheer beauty. The hotel was once an antique gallery owned by Pepe Rubio, an important antiques dealer of the island and you will find a collection of antique furniture, paintings and artefacts placed throughout the hotel. There are only 13 rooms, each exquisitely furnished and dressed with the elegant pieces that now live in the hotel, even in the bathrooms! This was certainly the first time I had stayed in an art gallery. The hotel is like a museum with a distinct character, where ancient meets luxury!
Pepe Rubio is to know the noblest families of the island, hold secrets that could inspire plots to multiple novels. Apparently there isn’t a celebrity on the island who doesn’t own one of his artworks. Pepe decided after 40 years to change his profession and combine his former with the new as a hotelier. Genius!
The antiques are so beautiful and intriguing that you can’t help but study them and ask the staff questions about their history. On the top floor there’s an exquisite chest of drawers originally belonging to Archduke Luis Salvador of Austria who lived in Deià in the mid 19th Century and has a long association with Mallorca. Stay here for a unique experience and to fall in love with art and antiques even if you’re not an enthusiast.
Art Hotel, Costa de’n Sintes 6, 07003 Palma de Mallorca. Tel. (+34) 871 600 030
[email protected]
Can Cera Hotel
Best for: The Luxury traveller
The Can Cera is a super luxury hotel homed within a 17th century palace and teamed with over 700 years of history. Two sisters inherited their family palace and decided to turn it into a hotel. The owner, Cristina Martí, is a renowned interior designer and wanted to create in the imagination of the visitor what life would have been like at home for a wealthy Palmesano. I certainly felt like I was staying in a palace too as the staff treat you as royalty.
From the courtyard entrance to the traditional Mallorcan patio with its majestic arches, the layout has been heavily influenced by the Italian renaissance architects that enhanced the property during the 17th century – period furniture, high ceilings, luxurious furnishings, marble floors, high beam ceilings and contemporary paintings, the proud sense of history of this striking hotel has been well preserved. There are many places to relax that I discovered including reading rooms, opulent lounges and the magnificent roof terrace.
For spa and wellness there’s a Finnish sauna, jacuzzi and hammam that you book and have all to yourself. Massages are offered using natural and organic Gaia products and yoga classes are available on request.
Can Cera Hotel. Plaça de Sant Francesc 8, 07001 Palma de Majorca. Tel. (+34) 971 71 50 12
[email protected]
Posada Terra Santa
Best for: 5 star service and staff
Housed in 15th Century mansion in Palma’s Gothic Quarter, the Posada Terra Santa has been judiciously transformed into a boutique hotel. A peaceful and luxurious sanctuary, everything about this hotel is exceptional. The top notch faultless service of the hotel starts with a welcome glass of champagne at check in. The staff go out of their way to ensure you have the best experience at the hotel and of majorca. The breakfast is superb here as well and served with a detoxifying smoothie, a la carte menu, plus a well stocked and varied buffet. Consistently rated on Tripadvisor as the number one hotel in Palma, the hotel works hard to keep themselves at the top.
The rooms have a relaxed luxury style and are decorated with mounted boats and toy ships on the walls! Funky decor runs throughout the impeccably maintained hotel.
I love the wall with the stags heads mounted on it, their antlers all painted a different colour.
There’s also a roof terrace with a pool and a privatised spa that you can book for yourself with a plunge pool, hammam and steam room.
Massages, including speciality treatments such as Lomi Lomi and ayurvedic rituals, facials, mani-pedis and body scrubs are available in the treatment rooms; and there’s also a gym, kitted out for weight training, cardio and fitball sessions. Pilates and yoga are available in the gym too.
Posada Terra Santa. C/Posada Terra Santa 5. 07001 Palma de Mallorca. Tel. (+34) 971 21 47 42
[email protected]
Contact me at [email protected] for more tips on recommendations on Palma!
