The Best Hotels in Palma for Every Traveller

A huge, walled garden with a pool in the heart of historic Palma makes Can Bordoy stand out, but – as one of the finest hotels in the city – there’s so much more to discover in this boutique. Set in a former family mansion, it has interiors crafted by top local designers into Gatsby-esque levels of glamour. The plush guest rooms have high-tech beds with firmness control, while a ground-floor spa features a horizontal shower.

This is the first hotel opened by the swish Cappuccino cafe chain, and they certainly didn’t hold back with this impressively flamboyant luxury property. Interiors are a study in eclectic maximalism, drawing on everything from traditional Mallorcan patterns to Mexican wrestling masks. Their bistro-style eatery spills onto the popular Plaza de Corte, from which the best historical sites in Palma are a short stroll. Downstairs, there’s a small spa and private cinema, while you can take in superb views from the plunge pool on the roof.

One of the oldest boutique hotels in Palma, Palacio Ca Sa Galesa is found deep in the medieval heart of the gothic quarter. The grand mansion dates to the 16th century and is brimming with authentic antiques, ancient tapestries and old curios that further add to the historically refined feel. A bijou spa is built into the medieval foundations, and there’s a rooftop terrace with Bali beds. It’s the unwavering quality of service here, however, that makes it five stars.

Set on a peaceful spot on the ancient city walls, Calatrava has long been ranked among the best luxury boutique hotels in Palma. It occupies an elegantly updated 19th-century building, where an impressive collection of contemporary art is displayed against a backdrop of light and unfussy interior design. Dining is rooted in island traditions, and can be taken on the leafy street-front terrace or the rooftop with bay views.

Es Príncep keeps luxury understated as far as decor, but ramps it up with a slew of classy features. The Bala Roja restaurant serves some seriously experimental haute cuisine, while Gremium is a top-notch cocktail bar. Head downstairs and there’s a serene spa with a 59ft (18m) heated pool and a cornucopia of high-end treatments. The crowning glory, however, is the rooftop terrace, with plunge pool, buzzing bar-bistro and stretching views of Palma Bay.

Only a narrow alleyway divides this beautifully rendered boutique hotel and the basilica to which the name alludes. This 18th-century mansion has been tastefully converted into luxury lodgings where velvet, marble and polished brass set a vibe that is both casual and sophisticated. There’s the obligatory rooftop plunge pool, with a strip of sea within eyeshot, and the guest rooms are decorated in tones so calming you might struggle to rouse yourself in the morning.

While many historic hotels purport to be a ‘‘palacio’’, few deserve to be called ‘‘palatial’’. The Palacio Can Marqués, however, most certainly does. Soaring alabaster pillars, lofty stone arches and a fairytale mirrored staircase immediately set the tone of 18th-century opulence. A lobby champagne bar cements the scene. Sumptuous suites combine bespoke fittings with antique furniture, handwoven carpets with luxury bedlinen. A rooftop terrace provides cathedral views, or take a drink in the secluded garden, brimming with tropical plants and tranquillity.

The buildings this high-end boutique hotel occupies date to 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 cosy 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 location 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 guestrooms are also uber-swish, plus you can relax in a heated indoor pool, or enjoy the spa facilities, or high-tech fitness room.

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 hot tubs 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 on the very outskirts of Palma, this hotel is too special not to include. A landmark since the 1950s – 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, hot tub 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 cosy 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 into the hotel’s basement.