Who's Going
Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas, Boris Becker
Reason to Stay
Gourmet Eatery, Historical Building, Luxury Spa
Hotel Type
Luxury Resort
Mallorca is an island of wild mountainous beauty, a massive 60-miles across is regularly transverse on zippy mopeds and three-wheelers traveling at freeway speeds usually with 19-year old couple atop. Currently the grand dames of Mallorca hotels include Son Brull and Orient Express's La Residencia. The latter is preferred by moneyed Americans, located in the Northwest of the island near Deia village below the pine-covered Tramuntana Mountains far away from any sort of touristy madness. La Residencia was once the private home of poet Robert Graves, now part of a 30-acre estate that includes an accompanying 17th Century villa amongst olive and citrus groves that meander next to forested hillsides.
Visitors arrive to an impressive first sight, a weeping hillside estate with 4 story façade draped in fig ivy in an island of manicured gardens and lush green grasses that ooze of stately charm. The hotel is the embodiment of modern Orient Express hotel-keeping from the pristine lobby with its gallery-worthy art collection to the gourmet El Olivo eatery that manages a global reputation that's a resume requirement for most of the island's top chefs. Days are spent by one of two swimming pools prone to preening trophy-wives or on a specially arranged hikes with one of three "donkey guides" that accompany guests along nearby trails with well-packed gourmet picnic.
The Room
Guest rooms that defy the usual chain-hotel dimensions are captured in rustic spaces with beam ceilings, terracotta tile floors and airy all-white furnishings that reflect a laid-back Mallorquin design. A rare single room category is ideal for overflow household staff or child in need of a little summer space, although most couples will likely be in a Superior room with oblong ceiling and shorter windows with greenery views. Suites, or even a junior suites, are the most preferable room route with several offering private terraces above the main pool or rooftop deck accessed by a spiral staircase like in the Tower Suite. Those looking to book the best should checkout the private Villa with three bedrooms stretched-out over three private levels with heated swimming pool and room service that’s a great alternative for anyone unable to meet the usual 7-day booking equipment of area summer rentals.
Preferred Room
Junior Terrace Suite
Special Features
Historic Hotel, Gourmet Cooking School, Hiking Guides
Amenities
Pool, Restaurant, Cafe, Wine Bar, Lounge, Spa, Villa
