Review: Hotel Valldemossa, Mallorca

Why book Hotel Valldemossa?

A creative haven for writers and artists alike, you’ll find yourself the protagonist of this particular novel. Mornings and lazy afternoons are spent sunning on your own private veranda overlooking almond, olive, and orange trees etched into the rolling valley. Just a 20-minute drive from the city of Palma, the dramatic shift in scene from bustling shopping harbor to mountain range will make you think you’ve traversed more than mere miles.

Set the scene

The ethos here is to create a home away from home, so guests enjoy an afternoon nap by the swimming pool, hide away in the spa enjoying exclusive use of the internal pool and sauna, laze with a book in a hammock amid the herb garden, or take a sound bath in The Sanctuary. The grand stairwell at the entrance to the estate is a quickly learned labyrinth to each of the hotel's modern amenities. With infamous cycle routes, medical and beauty therapies, and its small-town location, Hotel Valldemossa will likely become a hub for like-minded individuals looking to enjoy the best things in life: nature, self-care, and great food.

The spa

Amore, the embodiment of her namesake and wellness guru at The Sanctuary, is a pioneer for the Piroche method. Traversing verbal language barriers, her core language is health, beauty, and longevity. She practices therapies such as drainage and manual massage and uses essential oils alongside machinery such as electric cupping therapy, radiofrequency, and hydro foot baths. Not for the faint of heart, the detox programs and lymphatic drainage can be intense, but the results are quick yet lasting.

The backstory

Each hotel in the growing It Mallorca collection provides an authentic experience into the slice of Mallorca it inhabits, from the central locations of Can Alomar just a stone's throw away from Can Cera and Calatrava in the bustling shopping district of Palma to Can Auli on the northern side of the island and now, to the west, Valldemossa. Once part of the Royal Charterhouse Palace of King Sancho of Mallorca before it was gifted to the monastery, Hotel Valldemossa is set within a recently renovated 19th century manor house and continues to be adapted into a sanctuary for visitors and locals alike. The driving force behind each project for owner Miguel Conde, and his architect wife, Cristina Marti, is to breathe new life into these historic buildings by preserving the beautiful details of its Mallorcan roots while establishing a contemporary twist through art, interiors, and gastronomy for each location.

The rooms

With 12 unique cobblestone villas attached to the body of the manor house, each room has its own outdoor veranda and yoga mat for sunrise or sunset stretches. Rustic shuttered ventanas open out to La Cartuja for sunshine baths in bed or water baths with a view in a deep set Avant Garde tub. Choose between four deluxe room types, each lovingly renovated with earthy furnishings, terra-cotta tones, and home comforts, including contemporary resin artworks on the walls, ambient lighting, and throws for cooler evenings with a glass of wine from the minibar on the terrace.

Food and drink

Breakfast is enjoyed on the sun-soaked veranda overlooking misty, dew-soaked fields while birds twitter and sheep bleat. The open kitchen has seating for colder or rainy days, where the breakfast bar is thickly laid with fresh fruit, homemade bread, and pastries including gluten-free options and cold cuts of Iberico ham. If you have room ahead of a long day of cycling, hiking, or treatments, enjoy as a prerequisite before a freshly prepared dish from the menu, such as the gloriously creamy eggs Benedict or pancakes with berry compote and Chantilly cream. By night, the space transforms into the bar and restaurant, De Tokio A Lima, a twin to the firstborn at Can Alomar. A seasonal proposal by Chefs German de Bernardi, the cuisine is a fusion of Japanese, Peruvian, and Mediterranean flavors using products from local farmers. The Sirloin tataki was a firm favorite during our stay, but the Iberian pork tacos and crispy squid came close in second. The other guests recommended the Creamy pie of Sóller lemons, which did not disappoint but I was especially sweet on the fluffy baked cheesecake with passion fruit.

The neighborhood

Perched on a hilltop within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Sierra de Tramuntana, Valldemossa is a rich heritage town untouched by time, just a five-minute walk from the hotel. A left turn out the gates following the stone walls that bleed rosemary, you’ll know you've reached the town by the green shuttered cafes and cobblestone square. Those familiar with Mallorca will instantly recognize a Cappuccino cafe for coffee and cake, but for a more substantial lunch and one of the few places serving food after 1 p.m. (but before 7 p.m.), sign posted by an old Michelin man sign is an ex garage turned restaurant known as Es Taller. Using locally sourced ingredients, the concept here is terrace, tapas, and good times, and they even offer gluten-free and vegan versions of most of their dishes.

The service

A phone by the internal and external pools and in the rooms for pool and room service allow for an extravagant stay. Staff are eager to please and ready to wait to tailor each trip to the individual's wants and needs.

Eco effort

Special attention has been paid toward ensuring that only the necessary amenities are in each room upon arrival, which all of the It Mallorca locations adhere to. This is to avoid unnecessary waste, but you’ll find they have any additional amenities you might need in their repertoire. To reduce chlorine, detergent, and water use, linen and towels are laundered upon request. In a bid to reduce paper waste, the hotel uses QR codes to replace the in-room directory.

Accessibility

A prime location for hiking, the terrain is uphill and multi-level, making it less accessible for guests with mobility issues. The hotel has an elevator from the drive to the restaurant and reception, but stairs are the order of the day here.