Where to stay in Mallorca really depends on what kind of holiday you want. In summer you want to be by the beach and you’ll probably want sea views. The rest of the year, consider a rural escape or mountain hideaway. Whenever you go, bookend your Mallorca trip with stays in beautiful old Palma di Mallorca, which is home to hip hotels and atmospheric lodgings in historic buildings.
Our where to stay in Mallorca guide is by no means comprehensive. It’s a guide to the best Mallorca accommodation that we tested out when we were researching and photographing a Mallorca guidebook. It’s a guide to the lodgings on the Balearic island that we loved the most, from charming, small, stone boutique hotels to sleek, chic, seaside sleeps. See this guide for more rustic mountaintop monastery lodgings.
Mallorca may not be a large island but the mountainous regions and narrow coastal roads can make distances feel greater than they are. Having said that, the diversity of the landscapes, drama of the mountains, and beauty of the beaches make for a breathtaking road trip and the variety of beautiful hotels means that each day’s driving will end with a heavenly sleep somewhere.
Wherever you stay in Mallorca, make sure to start and/or end your trip in the capital Palma di Mallorca, which is often overlooked by people heading to the island primarily for a beach holiday. When we were last on Mallorca, after circumnavigating the island twice, and testing out countless hotels, we rented an apartment in Palma di Mallorca in an atmospheric house in the heart of the old town to do the write-up. It was just wonderful.
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Where to Stay in Mallorca from Palma to Pollença
These are our picks of the best Mallorca accommodation, starting with the island capital, Palma di Mallorca, and working our way around the island, from the southwest of Palma di Mallorca, to northern Mallorca and the east coast of Mallorca, finishing in Mallorca’s rural heartland.
Palma di Mallorca
When it comes to where to stay in Mallorca it’s hard to beat the beautiful capital, Palma di Mallorca, with its abundance of historic sights, fantastic restaurants, and fabulous shopping.
Convent de la Missió
Located in a former convent on a quiet lane in the busy shopping centre, this minimalist hotel in the heart of Palma di Mallorca is muy chic. The Convent de la Missió Hotel has sleek, contemporary, understated rooms with thoughtful amenities. Some rooms look over the central courtyard while suites have terraces.
There’s an art gallery, bar and the superb Michelin-starred restaurant Mark Fosh (formerly Simply Fosh), which one of Mallorca’s best restaurants. Book dinner when you book the hotel. Carrer de la Missió 7, 971 227347
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Hotel Santa Clara
A short stroll from the Arab Baths and Cathedral, in an atmospheric old quarter, Hotel Santa Clara is located in an historical stone building that has had a stunning renovation. It’s an ideal place to stay if style, comfort and seeing the sights of Palma di Mallorca are high priorities.
The décor seamlessly melds history (stone walls, exposed beams) with modern design (contemporary furnishings, techie extras) and there’s a fine spa. Carrer Sant Alonso 16, 971 729231
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Southwest of Palma di Mallorca
The southwest of Palma di Mallorca is where to stay in Mallorca if you’re looking for luxury resorts with big swimming pools, and a golf course nearby, buzzy seaside centres with restaurants with sea views, and you don’t mind crowds.
Castillo Hotel Son Vida
With its turreted tower, soaring dome, plush furnishings, colossal paintings, and suits of armour in the corridor, this opulent Castillo Hotel Son Vida is located in a converted 13th century castle and it’s one of Mallorca’s most impressive hotels.
The spacious rooms come with all the amenities you’d expect from a Luxury Collection property. There are several fine restaurants, bars, a massive swimming pool, and stupendous views across to Palma di Mallorca. Raixa 2, Son Vida, 971 493493
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Hospes Maricel & Spa
The elegant interiors of the hip hotel Hospes Maricel & Spa ooze style, from the chic high-ceilinged, lobby lounge to the spacious, minimalist rooms, and the exteriors are breathtaking, from the terrace bar and alfresco restaurant with sea views to the enormous swimming pool beside the sea.
The unusual design of most rooms won’t suit everyone – when you enter the room you enter the bathroom, making your room service delivery a tad awkward if you’re in the tub! Shy types might want to upgrade to a suite with more space, a slightly different design, and a private terrace. Carretera Andratx 11, Cas Catala, 971 707744
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Gran Hotel Son Net
Located in the bucolic foothills of the southern Tramuntana mountains, in a splendidly restored 17th century finca, Son Net is one of the most beautiful boutique hotels on Mallorca. It was also one of Mallorca’s most romantic lodgings and one of the most memorable stays of our trip.
Each of the spacious, characterful, antique-filled rooms at Son Net is different, boasting sumptuous furnishings and four-poster beds, with terraces or balconies. There are cottages for those who want even more space and privacy, as well as highly regarded spa and an enormous pool.
The restaurant at Gran Hotel Son Net is considered to be one of the area’s finest and rightly deserves its reputation with beautiful and delicious dishes based on seasonal produce from the island. Castillo de Sonnet, Puigpunyent, 971 147000
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St Regis Mardavall
Undoubtedly Mallorca’s most exclusive lodgings, the Mediterranean-style St Regis Mardavall Hotel goes as far as to boast it’s a bespoke hotel – a claim supported by floors fitted out in custom furnishings and luxurious amenities. All of the 133 lavishly appointed rooms – decorated in light, summery white and neutral shades – are equipped with all the mod cons you’d expect at this level.
There are also big balconies with stunning views of the sea, manicured lawns, luxuriant gardens, and a gigantic swimming pool. If you can drag yourself away from your sun bed, there’s an excellent spa and the location at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains makes it a fab base for exploring.
The hotel also has a stylish bar and excellent restaurants, including Es Fum. Book a table after you book a room. Passeig Calvia s/n, Costa d’en Blanes, 971 629629
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West Coast of Mallorca
The west coast and its wild mountains are where to stay in Mallorca if you’re a fan of hilltop towns that ooze history, magnificent sea vistas, and you don’t mind scrambling down hillside to reach hidden coves secreting away busy little beaches.
Ca’s Xorc
Splendidly set in a restored stone farmhouse surrounded by olive groves, Ca’s Xorc is an intimate boutique hotel located high on a hilltop between Soller and Deia. With its breathtaking mountain and sea views and a background soundtrack of cicadas, birds, and the tinkling of goat bells, this beautiful property is ideal for a relaxing retreat or romantic getaway.
The individually decorated rooms are charming, but it’s the common areas that really make the place – a cushioned sitting area that would be at home in a Moroccan riad, a library with wall-to-wall books, several lounge areas, and plenty of spots to sit, sprawl or sunbathe in the gardens or by the pool.
The outstanding restaurant is located in a former olive press and has an enormous open kitchen, private dining rooms, and an alfresco terrace, where we recommend you linger over breakfast. Carretera de Deia Km 56, 971 638280
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Espléndido
Located slap bang on the seafront at Puerto de Sóller, this is a grand old hotel for the 21st century. Espléndido is made for travellers nostalgic for those big old-fashioned seaside hotels but can’t face doing without contemporary style and modcons.
And while it oozes retro-charm, from the vintage wallpaper in the rooms to the funky lounge with turntable and record collection, it’s the simple things that make Espléndido shine: friendly efficient staff, good bistro food, and sea views.
Es Traves 5, Puerto de Sóller, 971 631850
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Belmond La Residencia
A favourite with royalty and the rich and famous, the luxurious five-star Belmond La Residencia hotel in Deià is another of Mallorca’s most exclusive hotels. Set within two colossal 16th and 17th century stone manor houses overlooking the charming stone village of Deià, the spacious rooms and suites come equipped with every amenity you could dream of.
Suites also boast balconies, terraces or private plunge pools, and there are villas for families wanting greater privacy and space. Lush gardens, two huge swimming pools, bars and a fine restaurant complete the picture. It’s hard to leave this beautiful hotel, but make sure to take time to explore delightful little Deià. Son Canals, Deià, 971 63 9011
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Northern Mallorca
The northern part of the island is where to stay in Mallorca if you want rugged mountains, dramatic coastline, serene bays, wild surfing and windsurfing beaches, and laidback towns.
Hotel Ca’n Pere
The chic little Hotel Ca’n Pere hotel is set in a restored 19th century manor house in the heart of the old city of Alcúdia and it has loads of character. While the original stone walls and many traditional features have been maintained, neoclassical furniture and contemporary fittings add a stylish modern touch. Book a room with a private terrace if you’re staying more than one night. Calle Serra 12, Alcúdia, 971 53 91 78, www.hotelcanpere.com
Son Brull
The beautiful boutique hotel Son Brull is located in the countryside near Pollença and it’s perfect for those of you who can’t decide whether to check into a rural finca or a city hotel on Mallorca. (We recommend you stay long enough on the island to do both.)
Situated in a splendid former monastery, Son Brull seamlessly melds the traditional stone architecture of the structure with the sleek contemporary design of its big, light-filled rooms. There’s a stunning swimming pool with plenty of sun beds, a superb spa with another pool, an atmospheric bar, and a brilliant restaurant. Off the MA2200, Pollença, 971 535353
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Son Sant Jordi
Situated on a charming square boasting a splendid historic church, the family-owned Son Sant Jordi boutique hotel is just a short stroll from the old centre of Pollença and its lovely restaurants, cafes and bars. We loved our stay here and wished we’d have more time to really settle in.
The hotel may be small but the elegant eight rooms are enormous with canopied and four-poster beds, solid wooden country-style furniture, and big bathrooms. The lush garden hides away a swimming pool – perfect for cooling off after a hike up the Calvary or Puig Maria. Calle Sant Jordi 29, Pollença, 971 530389
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East Coast Mallorca
The east coast of Mallorca offers a real mix of bustling resort towns with busy beaches and quiet fishing villages and empty stretches of sand.
Can Simoneta
The sprawling lawns, stunning swimming pool, and dramatic cliff-top setting at this diminutive boutique hotel, overlooking the cobalt sea and surrounding mountains, are such an allure guests have been known not to budge for days.
Unfortunately, food at the in-house restaurant was hit and miss when we stayed. If you have the same experience, you can always hike down to the town for meals – or raid the well-stocked mini-bar in your stylishly-appointed room.
Some rooms have decks, terraces or balconies, but not all have ocean views; book your preference ahead of time. Carretera Artà-Canyamel Km 8. Finca Torre Canyamel, Capdepera, 971 816110
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Cas Ferrer Nou Hotelet
The contemporary-designed Cas Ferrer Nou Hotelet is set in a historical stone building and is quite a surprise to find in the back streets of Alcúdia’s ancient walled town.
While the ‘hotelet’ is tiny, rooms are spacious, and there are plenty of common areas to loaf about in, including a lounge with books and DVDs to borrow, and a two sun terraces above a central courtyard.
While the hotel is only a block from the busy main square, there’s parking nearby at Plaça de Toros, rare for centrally located accommodation on Mallorca, and super handy if you’re doing a road trip around the island. Carrer Pou Nou 1, Alcúdia, 971 897542
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Mallorca’s Rural Heartland
Accommodation in the countryside in the rural heartland of Mallorca is best for those who prefer birdwatching and biking and hiking Mallorca to summer days spent lazing on sandy beaches.
Finca Sant Blai
This lovely agroturismo Finca Sant Blai lies in the countryside outside of Campos and is comprised of a renovated finca (farm house) and several self-catering casitas (cottages) surrounded by farming land. Lovingly decorated with traditional furnishings and the occasional modern touch, the place has loads of rustic charm.
There’s a resident pony and donkeys, and the hotel can organise plenty of activities, including horse-riding, cycling, and sailing. While there’s a swimming pool, the beaches of Es Trenc are close by when you need a change of scene. Camino de Son Toni Amer, 4km from Campos, 971 650567
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Have you spent much time on the island? What’s your preference when it comes to where to stay in Mallorca?
