Whether you’re dreaming of bohemian hideaways in the mountains or old-school glamour by the sea, these are the eight most stylish stays to bookmark on the biggest of the Balearic Islands.
Mallorca is the kind of place you can return to time and again and still feel like you’re discovering it for the first time. One trip might take you through sun-bleached hill towns and olive groves, the next to the buzz of Palma’s city streets or a tiny fishing port where you can swim straight from the rocks into crystal-clear water. Whether you’re planning your first trip or returning for the fifth, each of these hotels offers a different way to experience the island – to slow down, dive in, and see Mallorca from a new angle.
Rural Retreat: Son Xotano
One of Mallorca’s newest openings, Son Xotano brings Annua Hotels’ signature style to the island with a quietly soulful twist. Surrounded by ancient olive trees, working vineyards and lavender-swept fields, it’s a secluded rural retreat made for slowing down, yet still within easy reach of Palma and the island’s coastline in all directions. Like its sister property, César Lanzarote, the design centres on a single hue: a soft blue drawn from the 12th-century possessió’s original shutters, echoing the skies and nearby sea. Each of the 22 rooms is individually designed, preserving the layered character of the historic estate while reimagining it for the contemporary traveller. Start the day with breakfast poolside under the dappled shade of towering pine trees, before flopping onto one of the sun-soaked cushy daybeds dotted across the lawn for the rest of the day. After a slow sunset yoga session, wind down the evening with dinner on the romantic terrace or in the characterful wine cellar, now a cosy grill restaurant carved from centuries-old stone. Award-winning chef José María Borrás brings youthful energy and a playful touch to the menu, guided by a ‘zero-kilometre’ ethos with ingredients sourced from nearby farms or the estate itself. Expect easy-going daytime dishes like smash burgers and poke bowls, followed by more elevated plates in the evening (think lobster tagliatelle and pan-seared Mallorcan Turbot). Want to begin your holiday and forget what day it is? Start here for a soft landing.
Bohemian Dreamland: Hotel Corazón
A visual feast with just the right dose of 70s flair, Hotel Corazón channels Palm Springs retro-cool against a Serra de Tramuntana backdrop. The brainchild of first-time hoteliers, fashion photographer Kate Bellm and creative director Edgar Lopez, the original concept was an artist’s retreat, which quickly evolved into something more expansive. Now, the reimagined 18th-century finca, set between Sóller and Deià, is home to 15 guest rooms, a farm, restaurant, shop, art space, and a lush cactus garden. Each room feels like a scene from Bellm’s photographic world – psychedelic shapes and hazy hues that match the sun-soaked setting. This year, the restaurant and conservatory have been redesigned by Tatjana von Stein in a rich, cosmic-chic palette. Eliza Parchanska returns as head chef for her second season, collaborating with farmer-in-residence Emma Philips for a hyper-seasonal, all-female culinary team. But food is just one part of the story. Stay here for a free-spirited escape where creativity leads the way.
Retro Riviera Glam: Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá
Affectionately known by locals as ‘The Chocolate Hotel’ thanks to its distinctive boxy brown façade, Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá is a mid-century classic set along a waterfront stretch in Illetes. Now celebrating its 60th anniversary, it still manages to feel fresh, helped by good design and a recent wave of creative collaborations. The new Riva Lounge, in partnership with the legendary Italian yacht brand, brings polished teak cut with white stripes, pops of icy ‘Riva blue’ and yacht-inspired furniture to its bar and restaurant, as well as the chance to charter the ultra-sleek Rivamare boat for an indulgent day at sea. Down at the Bombon Pool Club, Italian fashion designer Alberta Ferretti brings her signature touch to both the restaurant and poolside scene where plush sun loungers, parasols and Bali beds, are all framed in soft tie-dye prints of sea blue and sandy beige. The setup curves around the hotel’s private beach cove and flows across the rocks, where in true Med fashion, ladders lead straight into the sea. Inside, original Joan Miró lithographs are scattered through the main spaces – a nod to his nearby former studio, now museum, the Fundació Miró Mallorca. There’s also an Audi Q8 e-tron on hand for guests keen to explore beyond the bay.
City Sophisticate: Sant Francesc Hotel Singular
Set in a grand 19th-century mansion on Palma’s leafy Sant Francesc square, this hotel hits the sweet spot between elegance and ease. Interiors strike a smart balance between classic and contemporary: restored ceiling frescoes, stone columns and its grand marble staircase sit comfortably alongside soft lighting, muted tones and clean lines. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the 32 rooms have been squeezed in to this city centre location – they all offer a unique sense of space, with many having their own balconies or terraces. The Studio Tower even extends over three floors with a private panoramic roof terrace, complete with a hot tub. The crown jewel, however, is most certainly the rooftop pool offering a welcome breeze and a knockout view over Palma’s rooftops and the namesake basilica. Quadrat restaurant downstairs delivers on seasonal Mediterranean flavours without overcomplicating things, while the inner courtyard and cocktail bar invite slow afternoons to stretch into evenings. With Old Town on its doorstep, it’s perfect for all the sights you’ll have on your Palma hitlist, just don’t forget to carve out a little time in your itinerary to enjoy the hotel itself.
Old-World Indulgence: Grand Hotel Son Net
Set in a striking terracotta-pink palacio at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains in Puigpunyent, Grand Hotel Son Net is the kind of place that wears its history well. A 17th-century estate reimagined by the team behind Finca Cortesin, its interiors are anything but shy and a far cry from the usual rustic, island aesthetic. There’s no false modesty here – Son Net is grand by name and by nature. Designer Lorenzo Castillo has layered antique furniture with bold florals, rich velvets and tapestries, creating rooms that feel grand and theatrical but lived-in, maximalist but never overwhelming. Art fills every corner, and every corridor is its own little scene. Outside, sun-drenched gardens roll out into a private vineyard, an organic orchard and a scattering of topiary-dotted cabanas by the pool. The new 1000-square-metre spa, tucked among the lavender and olive trees, brings things back down to earth with saltwater swims and mountain views. It’s not the kind of place you rush through; long lunches, lazy laps, and the occasional (or daily) mid-afternoon nap are essential experiences here.
Low-Key Luxe: Portella Palma
Once the home and creative studio of artist Joaquín Torrents Lladó, Portella is a 17th-century mansion turned sanctuary in Palma’s Old Town. Opened in early 2024 by the sibling duo behind Barcelona’s Casa Bonay, the 14-room property was reimagined with Parisian design studio Festen and local artisans to feel more like an impeccably designed private home than a hotel. Interiors are textured, warm and unfussy – marble sinks, zellige tiles, occasional pops of bold blue or golden linen, and a mix of antique and contemporary pieces that reflect the island’s layered aesthetic. The real magic, though, lies in the access. Portella’s team draws on deep local connections to unlock curated experiences that feel like the island’s best kept secrets – think private viewings at glassblowing workshops, olive oil tastings, and ceramics classes at a 500-year-old finca in the Serra de Tramuntana. Palma’s galleries, restaurants and cobbled lanes are right outside, but for those wanting to slow down the pace and run on Mediterranean time, the two-bedroom Arab Baths Apartment and signature suites come equipped with private kitchens.
Fortress Fantasy: Cap Rocat
Arguably one of the most remarkable stays in Spain, Cap Rocat occupies a 19th-century military fortress turned five-star escape. Hidden behind thick stone walls on a protected natural reserve near Palma, the hotel blends historical preservation with pared-back elegance. Vaulted ceilings, drawbridge entrances and spectacular sea-facing suites carved into the cliffs feel utterly cinematic and straight out of a fantasy novel. Some rooms come with private pools and uninterrupted views across the Bay of Palma. Transformed by architect Antonio Obrador, the space has retained its original character while dialling up the detail – from underground spas to cliffside saltwater pools and lantern-lit courtyards. The restaurant, tucked into the old shooting range, offers seasonal menus in a setting unlike anywhere else. Whether you’re floating in the infinity pool, walking the ramparts or dozing off to birdsong, everything here feels surreal, and far from the world outside. The only downside to Cap Rocat? Having to leave.
Romantic Escape: La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel
No list of Mallorcan hotels is complete without La Residencia – the island’s beloved grand dame that has been winning hearts since its Richard Branson days in the 1980s. Now under Belmond’s care, this hillside retreat in the artistic enclave of Deià continues to set the tone for characterful luxury. Honey-stone buildings sit between the mountains and the sea, and the hotel’s creative spirit runs deep – from the in-house gallery and sculpture garden to resident artists offering painting classes. Days unfold at a languid pace: tennis before breakfast, terrace lunches with a view, dips in the two serene pools. Rooms are refined with traditional elegance, individually styled with terracotta tiles, beamed ceilings and antique Mallorcan pieces. For a stay with extra flair, there’s the signature suites, with one styled by long-time guest and designer Matthew Williamson. New for the 2025 season, Villa Robert Graves has been thoughtfully reimagined by Studio Ashby. Their gentle, sustainable approach honours the villa’s heritage while elevating it with hand-blown glass lamps, Mallorcan linen drapery and antique pieces from the estate’s own collection.
Lead image credit: La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel
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