Serra de Tramuntana is the other Mallorca, increasingly drawing in-the-know travellers and ultra-luxe resorts. Among these is The Lodge.
Set in a 157-hectare private nature reserve curling the foothills of the UNESCO World Heritage mountain range, The Lodge Mallorca is that Holy Grail of hotels – it’s intimate enough to make acquaintances among likeminded travellers here, and yet so vast that you may select to never see another soul. It’s simultaneously remote and otherworldly as well as reassuringly traditional and earthy, with conservation as its tenet and purity at heart.
The Vibe
An instant injection of zen cocoons those arriving at this rustic-luxe retreat that redefines the notion of a destination. Popular among strung out metropolitans in search of a reset – who learnt of The Lodge via word of mouth and returned again (and again) – you’ll be recommending this place after visiting too. Uninterrupted privacy and solitude seduce, from the spa to the hiking paths, and are enlivened by hubs of occasion, like at the Michelin Star restaurant and Saturday sunset suppers set to live music amongst the Balearics’ largest lavender field. Stylish travellers saunter between hidden enclaves, the centrepiece infinity pool and outdoor yoga classes.
The Rooms
In dazzling isolation (golf buggies are on hand to whisk guests to each of the 24 interspersed suites, and complementary bikes beckon all around) rooms begin beside the main finca and radiate out across the landscaped grounds. The layout is such a feat of contemporary architectural perfectionism that it’s a wonder to conceive that the standalone accommodations adopt the original farm outbuildings’ shells. Compartmentalism is king here. In the suites, crittal and sliding doors transform configurations from open plan to sequestered; shrub-filled terraces and spacious internal courtyards ensure that residents are never overlooked. The colour palette is all ambient earth tones in natural textures of hessians, Egyptian cottons, wood, glass and rattan, and is juxtaposed with intelligent technology, mood lighting and surround sound.
The Food + Drink
Faithful to The Lodge’s tenet of shining a sunray on the nature of the island, Margalida Moya helms the kitchen at Singular, where fire-flamed dishes are pure finca freshness: rich, creamy, decadent, smoke-scented modern Mallorcan flavours. Freshly caught fish shines, olives add depth, recipes are a riot of ornately decorated textures, like in the field-to-table rosemary ratatouille accompanying Xeixa bread and the soupy base of the Arros Pobla (the rice grown in the surrounding town is world famous; vegetables are picked from the grounds). Zucchini mille-fueille with lavender honey is crafted fresh from the garden, suckling lamb and free range cockerel is reared by local farmers, and the surrounding sea lands on the plate via wild seabass and world-renowned Sóller red prawns.
The restaurant extends under the bougainvillea-lined and orange-scented pergola of the panoramic terrace, which overlooks the Olympic-sized infinity pool and views across farmland and fincas. On the extensive wine list the viticulture of The Lodge’s sister property Finca Serena shines in homegrown white and rose grape varieties, while cocktails utilise fruits from the groves on the grounds. There are chia seeds, blinis and honey from the house apiaries at the breakfast buffet, and the à la carte morning menu extends the field-to-table ethos.
The Little Extras
Reverent to its origins as a finca, giant agricultural machinery is strewn around the manicured grounds and a giant tafona (olive press) dominates the reception area. Complementary fruits greet suite-stayers upon arrival and can be picked from the surrounding orchards, cacti and groves. There’s a Spotify playlist with the property’s soothing Balearic beats serenading the soundtrack to the stay and a helpful app with an invaluable curation of local recommendations. The service is warm, sharp and attentive – staff here are as passionate about and loyal to the concept as the guests. There are 40 bicycles available for guest use, and Miaow, the resident cat, to engage with.
The Spa
In its own sphere, in the foothills of the mountains, the spa here features facials by Natura Bissé and house bespoke massages. The prelude starts in the al fresco oval turquoise pool and sauna wagon – multi-day programmes span from mindfulness to couples’ retreats. There’s an outdoor Technogym overlooking the epic vistas, complementary, thrice-weekly morning yoga classes, 24 cycle routes to explore the surrounds, and numerous hiking paths from hill to mountain, with picnics delivered upon request.
The To-Do List
The hotel has a generous list and well-selected range of offsite activities – from horse riding to mountain biking and exploring the island’s cerulean seas and evocative coastline onboard an electric llaut. Twenty minutes’ drive away lie the white sand beaches of Playa de Muro; the towns of Sa Pobla and Campanet adjoin, and breath-taking Pollenca is a short distance beyond. Staff can arrange visits to the Rafal Nadal Tennis Academy, nearby world-famous golf courses and wine tastings at its sister property Finca Serena alongside expertly curated insider recommendations on restaurants, galleries, beaches and activities. However, to use the hackneyed travel phrase: you may never wish to leave the hotel – checking in for a long weekend provides ample time to explore the grounds and amenities, leaving you renewed for the every day.
All image credit: The Lodge Mallorca
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