With its charming medieval old town, buzzing nightlife, and even a long sandy beach, the city of Palma is a popular tourist destination in its own right. And to accommodate the steady influx of visitors, the Mallorcan capital has no shortage of excellent hotels, but which to choose? Read on for our selection of the best.
The buildings this high-end boutique hotel occupies date to even before Jaume I conquered the island – over 700 years ago. Refurbished over the years and most importantly during the Italian Renaissance, Can Cera’s stunning architecture has been maintained in the style of a 17th-century palazzo, with exposed beams, high sculpted ceilings, and a wonderful sweeping marble staircase. It’s also set in the heart of Palma’s old town, and a short stroll from all the city’s most historic attractions.
With its impeccably stylish interiors that combine Moorish patterned tiling, traditional ikat fabrics, and cozy wood paneling, Hotel Cort is indeed one of Mallorca’s most handsome boutique properties. Its restaurant’s cobblestone terrace occupies one of the city’s prettiest squares, featuring an ancient olive tree and the town hall’s magnificent facade – the locations is also about as dead centre as you can get. Each one of the 16 guest rooms is a secluded and peaceful oasis from the buzzing hub outside, plus its free a la carte breakfast is practically worth the stay alone.
Still fresh from a particularly stylish makeover, the Innside Palma Bosque can certainly boast more aesthetically-pleasing interiors than most hotels on the island. But it’s the super-chic pool terrace where you’ll find the pretty young things perfecting their Instagram pose – be it from unicorn, flamingo, or emoji floaties – or taking a selfie with Fati, the life-size poolside giraffe. The contemporary guests rooms are also uber-swish, plus a heated indoor pool, spa facilities, and a high-tech fitness room add up to making this one of the best hotels in the capital.
This five-star, luxury-level property is probably the closest Palma has to a resort-style hotel, with large saltwater swimming pool, spa facilities, and regular roster of nightly entertainment. The setting too is as upmarket as it gets, overlooking the city’s main yacht marina and waterfront boulevard. Top-end accommodation also features sunken jacuzzis with fabulous views over the bay that also take in the capital’s iconic cathedral.
Set in the quieter side of Palma’s richly historic old town, the Hotel Sant Francesc oozes effortless style from its beautiful period-chic reception to its gorgeous rooftop terrace overlooking the eponymous church. Most of the original neoclassical features of this 19th-century mansion have been meticulously restored, but with a light contemporary touch that makes for achingly eye-pleasing results. But it’s not all aesthetics, with an outstanding fine dining restaurant, high-tech in-room amenities, and a rooftop swimming pool with poolside sushi bar that puts the icing on one very luxurious cake.
While nestled among the narrow streets of the historic La Lonja neighbourhood, Puro Hotel is certainly one of the cool kids. This hip and urbane hotel is housed in a beautifully updated 17th-century mansion that combines Moroccan riad-style courtyards with a buzzy beach club vibe. Guests can also head to the roof-top terrace to soak in a plunge pool, or sip chilled Cava from daybeds with panoramic views over the Palma cityscape.
While just on the very outskirts of Palma, this hotel is too special not to include. A landmark since the fifties – when it was a famed haunt of the old-school jet set – the Hospes Maricel Mallorca still channels plenty of palatial glamour. The property comprises a centuries-old neo-classical mansion and swish contemporary additions, plus terrace and an infinity pool directly overlooking the sea. A gorgeous spa offers an indoor-outdoor pool, hammam, Jacuzzi and sauna, while most of the 51 rooms and suites offer superb sea views – some even from private plunge pools.
This beautiful boutique hotel aims for perfection, and comes pretty damn close. It occupies a former mansion dating back to 1576, and was once home to Spanish aristocracy. The property’s ancient character has been expertly updated with a fresh contemporary polish, while retaining plenty of original medieval charm. The 26 rooms are luxuriously put together, with top-end comforts such as king-size beds with Egyptian cotton sheets. Space to unwind comes in the form of a cozy lounge, beautiful library, and rooftop terrace with fabulous views over the city’s rooftops. They’ve even squeezed a sauna, massage room and heated splash pool in the hotel’s basement.
