Five best Mallorcan hideaways
Danielle Demetriou discovers a string of secluded retreats in the sleepier quarters of the island
Published: 02 July 2005 by Independent.co.uk
Convent de la Missió Palma
Amid the narrow streets of the old quarter of the city is a 17th-century monastery transformed into a minimalist oasis. Stark white walls and dark wooden floors in the 14 rooms meld with the curved stone architecture of the original building. The Restaurante Refectori, run by the island's most famous chef, attracts a steady stream of beautiful people. A Japanese garden and Turkish bath provide stylish ways to relax, and there is an art gallery in the converted Refectory.
Convent de la Missio, Carrer de la Missió 7a, Palma (00 34 971 22 73 47; www. convent delamissio .com ). B&B from €210 (£150).
Ca's Xorc, near Deia
Ca's Xorc is a rustic hideaway in a former olive mill filled with contemporary comforts, in the north-west mountains of Soller. The 10 guestrooms feature fabrics from the island, tiled floors, exposed wooden beams and stone walls. A series of terraces with views of the mountains and the sea on the horizon are perfect for romantic al fresco dining. In the scented gardens, small paths wind past stone fountains and aromatic orange blossom trees. The restaurant serves a creative combination of Mallorcan and Mediterranean cuisine, and a Moroccan tent can be erected in the grounds for special occasions.
Ca's Xorc, Carreta de Deia, Soller (00 34 971 63 82 80; www. casxorc .com ). Doubles from €160 (£114), including breakfast.
Entre Molins S'Alqueria Blanca
The scent of lavender and rosemary fills the air at Entre Molins, a villa between a string of picturesque villages inland from the southern coast. Five French windows in the minimalist sitting room offer uninterrupted views over the Mediterranean. A long terrace is the focal point, which is home to a swimming pool, an eating area and shaded alcoves. The comfort factor is boosted by travertine marble bathrooms, a sophisticated sound system and scented candles. The village of S'Alqueria is 1km away while a country lane leads guests to the sandy beach at Cala Mondrago.
Entre Molins, S'Alqueria Blanca. Sleeps eight. Weekly rentals from £3,125 via JC Journeys (01886 812 862; www. jcjourneys .com ).
Son Brull Pollença
In contrast to its rural location near the village of Pollença in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains, Son Brull is a shrine to urban chic. The 17th-century former convent, set among 30 hectares of landscaped gardens, has been transformed into an airy, minimalist space with hints of its traditional Mallorquin heritage. The 23 individually designed rooms have a clean, modern design with white walls, stone floors and regional artwork. For those in need of the beach, turquoise coves are only a 10-minute drive away and the hotel is perched on the edge of a golf course. For the less energetic, there is also an on-site spa.
Son Brull Hotel & Spa, Carretera Palma, Pollença (00 34 971 535 353; www. sonbrull .com ). B&B from €283 (£202).
Ca'n Reus Fornalutx
A cobbled lane in the sleepy village of Fornalutx leads to Ca'n Reus, a friendly haven in the Tramuntana mountains. Surrounded by ancient olive groves and lemon trees, the 300-year-old farmhouse, owned by Britons Sue and Nick Guthrie, has been furnished in traditional Mallorquin style. There are eight guest rooms; one has original 19th-century tiling and a four-poster bed, another has the trunk of a 100-year-old olive tree in the corner of the room. Almost all have views over the tallest mountains on the island, and the terrace is the perfect spot for sundowners.
Ca'n Reus Hotel, Carrer de l'Auba, Fornalutx (00 34 971 63 11 74; www. canreushotel .com ). Doubles from €100 (£71), including breakfast.
Convent de la Missió Palma
Amid the narrow streets of the old quarter of the city is a 17th-century monastery transformed into a minimalist oasis. Stark white walls and dark wooden floors in the 14 rooms meld with the curved stone architecture of the original building. The Restaurante Refectori, run by the island's most famous chef, attracts a steady stream of beautiful people. A Japanese garden and Turkish bath provide stylish ways to relax, and there is an art gallery in the converted Refectory.
Convent de la Missio, Carrer de la Missió 7a, Palma (00 34 971 22 73 47; www. convent delamissio .com ). B&B from €210 (£150).
Ca's Xorc, near Deia
Ca's Xorc is a rustic hideaway in a former olive mill filled with contemporary comforts, in the north-west mountains of Soller. The 10 guestrooms feature fabrics from the island, tiled floors, exposed wooden beams and stone walls. A series of terraces with views of the mountains and the sea on the horizon are perfect for romantic al fresco dining. In the scented gardens, small paths wind past stone fountains and aromatic orange blossom trees. The restaurant serves a creative combination of Mallorcan and Mediterranean cuisine, and a Moroccan tent can be erected in the grounds for special occasions.
Ca's Xorc, Carreta de Deia, Soller (00 34 971 63 82 80; www. casxorc .com ). Doubles from €160 (£114), including breakfast.
Entre Molins S'Alqueria Blanca
The scent of lavender and rosemary fills the air at Entre Molins, a villa between a string of picturesque villages inland from the southern coast. Five French windows in the minimalist sitting room offer uninterrupted views over the Mediterranean. A long terrace is the focal point, which is home to a swimming pool, an eating area and shaded alcoves. The comfort factor is boosted by travertine marble bathrooms, a sophisticated sound system and scented candles. The village of S'Alqueria is 1km away while a country lane leads guests to the sandy beach at Cala Mondrago.
Entre Molins, S'Alqueria Blanca. Sleeps eight. Weekly rentals from £3,125 via JC Journeys (01886 812 862; www. jcjourneys .com ).
Son Brull Pollença
In contrast to its rural location near the village of Pollença in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains, Son Brull is a shrine to urban chic. The 17th-century former convent, set among 30 hectares of landscaped gardens, has been transformed into an airy, minimalist space with hints of its traditional Mallorquin heritage. The 23 individually designed rooms have a clean, modern design with white walls, stone floors and regional artwork. For those in need of the beach, turquoise coves are only a 10-minute drive away and the hotel is perched on the edge of a golf course. For the less energetic, there is also an on-site spa.
Son Brull Hotel & Spa, Carretera Palma, Pollença (00 34 971 535 353; www. sonbrull .com ). B&B from €283 (£202).
Ca'n Reus Fornalutx
A cobbled lane in the sleepy village of Fornalutx leads to Ca'n Reus, a friendly haven in the Tramuntana mountains. Surrounded by ancient olive groves and lemon trees, the 300-year-old farmhouse, owned by Britons Sue and Nick Guthrie, has been furnished in traditional Mallorquin style. There are eight guest rooms; one has original 19th-century tiling and a four-poster bed, another has the trunk of a 100-year-old olive tree in the corner of the room. Almost all have views over the tallest mountains on the island, and the terrace is the perfect spot for sundowners.
Ca'n Reus Hotel, Carrer de l'Auba, Fornalutx (00 34 971 63 11 74; www. canreushotel .com ). Doubles from €100 (£71), including breakfast.
