Mallorca's Micro Personalities Come to Life at These New Hotels

The more demure, older sister to the party mecca that is Ibiza, Mallorca has always had a bit of an identity crisis (there is a Nikki Beach after all), but the largest of the Balearic Islands has a surprisingly dynamic personality for every taste.

Within just 1,400 square miles, a new crop of boutique hotels is bringing the island’s micro personalities to life, whether it be in the historic capital Palma, with its cobble-stoned alleyways that echo the voices of local youth who’ve enjoyed one too many glasses of Callet, the bucolic orchard-filled countryside, or one of the many cliffside resort towns along the coast to the north. 

Situated in the heart of Palma’s La Calatrava neighborhood, El Llorenç is an intimate, 33-room property with 360-degree views and the longest infinity pool in the city, fringed by Balinese daybeds. Swedish designer Magnus Ehrland mixed various Spanish, Moorish, and Arabic motifs throughout the interiors, while local artist Toni Font curated the mix of architectural photography and paintings depicting the Mallorcan landscape. Don’t miss chef Santi Taura’s DINS restaurant on the ground floor, where contemporary renditions of everyday recipes earned it a Michelin star.

If Scandinavian-meets-Mediterranean glamour is more your mantra, check into the Concepcio by Nobis nearby at the crossroads of Old Town and Santa Catalina, where the highly regarded hotel brand with properties in Denmark and Sweden heads south for the first time. Originally a soap factory from the 1500s, Swedish firm Wingardhs worked alongside Spanish gurus Jordi Herrero Arquitectos and Eduardo Garcia Acuna Arquitecto to masterfully breathe new energy into the historic site.

The 31-room stay maintains many original features such as jaw-dropping vaulted ceilings and beautiful arches while retaining a strong contemporary point of view. The rooms are spacious and modern, with local materials —wood, leather, wool—setting an organic backdrop for statement pieces like Carl Hansen’s “Cuba” chairs and coffee tables by Bosnian woodworkers Zanat. The showstopper is the discreet plunge pool and pergola-shaded terrace accented by Mediterranean gardens. After a day of sunbathing, head to the street-level restaurant Xalest, where chef Xema Álvarez turns out a variety of tasty tapas and pintxos.

For a slower pace of life, head to El Vicenç de la Mar, the sister property of El Llorenç which greets guests with open arms like an old friend. Located on a stunning cove in the small resort town of Cala Molins, the 35-room property on the northern coast, just a few miles from the ancient town of Pollença, promises Spanish euphoria. 

Hike the local Tramuntana mountains, cycle into town, or simply engage with the locals in this low-key paradise. Like its Palma predecessor, the culinary program is powered by chef Santi Taura. After a day of sipping spritzes at the rooftop pool terrace, tuck into Taura’s menu of local specialties such as lobster soup and baked Mallorcan suckling pig. If it’s raining or a reset is in order, the solarium–style spa is equipped with an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, cold plunge, steam room, and sauna. 

For true seclusion, head to Can Ferrereta, a restored 17th-century mansion surrounded by lush gardens of cypress and olive trees, bougainvillea, and jasmine. Mallorcan-based Bastidas Architecture oversaw the renovation, seamlessly integrating much of the building’s original charm and architectural elements—exposed wooden beams, vaulted ceilings, dry stone terraces—with modern luxuries and bespoke furnishings.

Located in the history-rich coastal town of Santanyí, known for its host of small galleries, Can Ferrereta features a contemporary art collection curated by the property’s owners, the Soldevila Ferrer family, with works by Joan Miró, Jaume Plensa, Jordi Alcaraz, and more. Languid days are spent relaxing by the emerald-hued pool on the sprawling sundeck and noshing chef Alvar Albaladejo’s fresh Mediterranean plates in the courtyard of the gorgeous Ocre restaurant, named for the earthy pigment of the town’s facades due to the southern North African winds.