Last year’s visitor figures indicate that Mallorca is as popular as it was pre-pandemic. According to Spain’s Airports Authority (AENA) 14.2 million visitors passed through Palma Airport in 2022 and over 10 million of that total were foreign visitors. AENA considers Palma the best-connected airport in the Mediterranean with over 282 routes throughout Spain, Europe, and now across the Atlantic with United Airlines.
Apart from easy access, Mallorca’s great attraction starts with its sunny climate, a wide range of hotels; gastronomy from Michelin-rated restaurants to tapas bars; the elegant city of Palma with its rich history, culture, architecture, and shopping. Not forgetting the island’s colourful fiestas and markets, top sports facilities, and its landscapes from the Sierra Tramuntana to 208 beaches that make Mallorca an unbeatable destination.
Outside of Palma the “hot” new hotel openings this year are all located in stunning natural settings offering guests the opportunity to experience the “other” Mallorca and enjoy the unique natural environment of each location.
This stunning historic estate dates to the 17th and is majestically located on top of a hill overlooking the traditional Mallorcan village of Puigpunyent behind a backdrop of the Sierra Tramuntana. Surrounded by nature, the hotel is only 25 minutes’ drive to Palma Airport.
Under the management team of the Finca Cortesin Hotels & Resorts, the extensive refurbishment and restoration of Son Net is nearing completion and the hotel is scheduled to open this spring. The interiors by the international designer, Lorenzo Castillo, respect the original character and elements of the architecture, whilst providing elegant and sophisticated interiors that befit this grand estate. Son Net will feature 31 suites, established Mediterranean gardens, a private vineyard, an orchard, and several swimming pools. Gastronomy will be an important focus for the hotel under the direction of chef, Javier Soriano. Prices start from 792€ per night in a double room: www.sonnet.es
The Lodge Hotel & Spa, near Campanet, opening spring 2023.
The Lodge is an estate covering more than 157 hectares, surrounded by lavender fields, almond and carob trees, olive, and fruit trees. It’s located in the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana near Campanet in the north of the island.
The concept is to offer a sustainable luxury refuge, that is in harmony with its natural environment. Featuring 24 spacious suites scattered throughout the grounds, with cycling/walking trails. There is a main building where the reception, the restaurant and some rooms are located. The interior design has been created by Pilar García-Nieto using a palette of earthy colours, natural and organic materials and subtle lighting extending out onto the private terraces and patios.
The restaurant concept focuses on healthy food with local produce some from the estate’s own orchards. The open “fire kitchen” offers a cooking style using wood from the estate. Infinity swimming pools, paths and running routes, a marquee in the countryside for yoga and activity sessions, a heated indoor pool, sauna, treatment rooms, and a fully equipped gym.
The hotel is owned and managed by Unico Hotels and will be the second rural property for the group in Mallorca further to the opening of Finca Serena in 2019. The Lodge Hotel & Spa will be an adult-only hotel and prices start from 465€ per room per night: www.thelodgemallorca.com
Sir Richard Branson’s Son Bunyola Hotel, Banyalbufar – June 2023
The planned opening of the Son Bunyola Hotel and the development of the Finca this summer will form an integral part of Sir Richard Branson’s spectacular 810-acre estate on Mallorca’s west coast, where Virgin Limited Edition already operates three stand-alone luxury private villas.
The new hotel will comprise of the main Finca, and the Tafona, which previously contained the historic olive press and will feature 26 rooms and suites, including two Tower Suites – one of which was originally a medieval defence tower built in the 15th century. Other features will include two restaurants, external dining terraces, and a large swimming pool.
The redevelopment includes many sustainable features that include the revival of the agricultural use of the estate where vines have already been planted, ancient olive trees have been retrieved and the gargantuan task is underway to restore as much of the agricultural land as possible and restore the forested areas.
The estate’s location is in the heart of the Sierra Tramuntana at Banyalbufar renowned for its spectacular terraces descending to the sea. Room rates will start from 600 euros per room, per night, to include breakfast and complimentary mini bar in the room. https://www.virginlimitededition.com/en/son-bunyola/
Son Bunyola, Banyalbufar. Opening in June 2023.
Ikos Porto Petro, Porto Petro – summer 2023
The luxury resort brand, Ikos, will open its second resort in Spain, the Ikos Porto Petro on the southeast coast of Mallorca this summer. The resort will feature 319 rooms, suites, and bungalows with terraces and many with private pools plus a complete variety of amenities. Features include five a la carte restaurants and a Food Hall concept, a spa with fitness, wellness, and treatment rooms.
Hotel guests will be able to choose from five heated indoor and outdoor pools (with an adult only and designated children’s pool) plus a range of water and racket/ball sports. Prices start from 338€ per room per night based on two people sharing to 1,958€ per night for a 3-bedroom bungalow with terrace and pool for up to 7 people: https://ikosresorts.com/
Nobis Hotel, Palma Old Town – summer 2023
The Scandinavian-based Nobis Hospitality Group will open a five-star Nobis Hotel Palma this summer. The hotel project is a stunning renovation of a 12th century building in one of the oldest parts of the city’s old town in Carrer de les Caputxines. The project has ensured that the original features and character of the building is retained blending those details with contemporary interiors and modern technology. The hotel will feature 37 rooms and suites, an in-house restaurant and bar, a sun terrace with loungers, and a SPA – designed by award-winning Swedish firm Wingårdhs. This will be the second hotel opening for Nobis, their first hotel, the Concepció Hotel by Nobis, opened in Palma’s Calle Concepción in 2021:https://www.nobishotel.es/
New Zel Hotel Group launched by Melia with tennis champion Rafa Nadal
Announced at the end of 2022, Zel is the new hotel brand by Melia in collaboration with Rafa Nadal with the first opening scheduled for Rafa’s home island of Mallorca this year at Cala Blanca in Calvia. The hotel will have 180 rooms, a large spa, and a beach bar and it’s planned to open the hotel year-round. The concept behind Zel (derived from the word “Cielo” meaning sky) will promote a Mediterranean style, clean open spaces, connecting indoor and exterior spaces with gastronomy. https://www.melia.com/en/brands/zel
Cappuccino Hotel, Puerto Andratx. The successful café and restaurant Cappuccino Group, which opened the Hotel Cappuccino in Plaza Cort (in the centre of Palma’s historic old town), are now planning the development of a 12-bedroom boutique hotel above the existing Cappuccino restaurant/café located beside the popular harbour at Puerto Andratx in Mallorca’s southwest; www.cappuccino.com
In the pipeline – two prestigious international brands to open in Mallorca:
New Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra Mallorca – opening second-half 2024
Officially announced this year, Mandarin Oriental is to develop a new resort on the existing site of the former H10 Punta Negra Hotel. This is a prestigious site that occupies three hectares including the peninsula of Costa d’en Blanes with direct access to the sea and two private coves on the southwest coast.
The resort will feature 131 rooms with 44 suites and nine bungalows located beside the sea. The accommodation will feature either partial or full sea views, outdoor terraces/balconies, some with their own private plunge pools. The resort is located close to the superyacht harbour of Puerto Portals and only 20 minutes’ drive from Palma’s International Airport. https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/
Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor – opening 2024
Work is underway on the former Hotel Formentor, the island’s first luxury hotel originally built in 1929 that was favoured by Hollywood stars and statesmen. It will be transformed into the new Four Seasons Resort Mallorca Formentor is located on the spectacular coastal peninsula covering 1,200 hectares at the far northern tip of the island. The resort will offer 110 rooms and suites, access to a sandy beach, and a private vineyard: https://mallorcaformentor.com/en/four-seasons-resort-mallorca-at-formentor
