From the moment I walked through the sliding doors at Iberostar’s Selection Es Trenc hotel I found it easy to relax. Rather than hunching over a cramped check-in desk with my luggage in tow, I was gently whisked to a sumptuous seating area in the lobby and invited to complete check-in via an iPad with one of the friendly hotel team, with a refreshing fruity mocktail in my hand.
Located on Majorca’s south coast in Colonia de Sant Jordi, Es Trenc reopened its doors in April after a top-to-toe refurbishment of what was formerly THB Sur Mallorca, with the 145-room facility now sporting a calming neutral decor.
A big selling point for this five-star resort is its panoramic structure, which means literally all 105 rooms and 40 suites can "boast" about their sea views. Every guest will find a welcome chocolate in their room, infused with delicious salt from nearby salt flats Flor de Sal, a family-owned business celebrating more than 60 years of history.
My Sea View Double was one of the more compact rooms on property, complete with a small private terrace. The room is equipped with tea and coffee facilities and a water jar that I could use to refill with water, whether still, sparkling, cold or ambient, from a communal dispenser available on every floor.
There are five accessible rooms in total, and for clients who want to splurge a little extra on some VIP treatment, you can recommend Iberostar’s Star Prestige, with perks including higher floor rooms, daily minibar refills, a la carte breakfast and complimentary bike hire.
Despite being at 90% capacity when I visited for the (re)opening party, the hotel never felt crowded. Food and beverage options include a spacious buffet restaurant on the ground floor, an a la carte restaurant, and three bars including an 11th floor rooftop bar, just the spot for a sunset cocktail.
The oval-shaped ground floor pool has plenty of space around it for lounging in comfort and there is a fully-equipped gym, complete with a sea view – although that is pretty much a given everywhere in the hotel.
Those wanting to be pampered can visit the hotel’s spa, which offers a menu of treatments including the signature sea salt ritual exfoliation shower massage. Spa treatments are not included in package prices, but those opting for Star Prestige service receive a discount on bookings.
In a departure from some Iberostar Selection properties, Iberostar Selection Es Trenc welcomes children. There are, however, no dedicated child facilities or activities for younger travellers, so it is more suited to families with older children. The hotel definitely feels “grown up” without being adults-only per se.
Majorca's best-kept secret
Despite being “off the beaten track”, the charming area of Colonia de Sant Jordi and its surrounds have a lot to offer for those wishing to explore. The white sands of Es Trenc, regularly touted as one of the best undeveloped beaches in Majorca, are about a 15-20-minute walk away. The coastline wrapping around the hotel is rocky, and the best way to enjoy the views is taking to the seafront boardwalk, which attracts walkers and joggers alike.
Guests can enjoy a day trip by boat to Cabrera National Park, a highly rated birdwatching destination, or a tour of Flor de Sal, to learn about the fascinating history and production – all by hand – of the many different flavours of salt, including hibiscus, mediterranean and olive.
I saw firsthand a demonstration of manual salt farming works and put my own (limited) farming skills to the test. Products are available from Flor de Sal’s beautiful shop for guests to take a memento of Colonia Saint Jordi home.
Flor de Sal’s salt is used throughout Iberostar Selection Es Trenc, both in spa treatments and as part of the hotel’s gastronomy. A la carte restaurant, Salivent – which translates to "salt and wind" – is open to guests for dinner at an extra charge, with an impressively varied menu that is inspired by island traditions and responsibly sourced.
Enjoy local, seasonal ingredients at Salivent restaurant
Plates are elegantly presented, and vegetarians and vegans are well catered for. A starter of roasted Mediterranean vegetables on fresh-baked bread, a red prawn tartare and a beef fillet were just some of the delicious fare I sampled here, while lapping up the views from the restaurant’s outdoor first-floor terrace.
Elsewhere in the facility, and included in package prices, guests can find breakfast, lunch and dinner in Es Carbo, which offers a generous selection of Majorcan or Spanish cuisine as well as international options, and al fresco dining on another expansive terrace overlooking the clear waters.
Given the more remote positioning of Iberostar Selection Es Trenc within Majorca, compared to more bustling areas on the island, it’s worth highlighting how Iberostar’s focus on sustainability has been central to Iberostar Selection Es Trenc’s development.
A smart choice for your clients
The brand’s Wave of Change movement shines a light on sustainable practices across its portfolio and this hotel – Iberostar’s 16th on Majorca – has been spared no exception.
AI-powered technology from Winnow, including cameras and smart scales, is used in the kitchen to track and reduce food waste in keeping with Iberostar’s goal to become waste-free this year, while the hotel is powered by 100% renewable energy and employs its own 3R (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) team to manage waste.
My visit was rounded off by a welcoming evening party celebrating the official hotel of Iberostar Selection Es Trenc in true poolside style – the pool itself became a stage for some spectacular aqua dancing entertainment, with the glimmering sea behind.
Majorca is a well-trodden destination for millions of tourists every year, but in this little pocket of the island, there is still so much to discover, and all against the backdrop of a smartly designed, inviting hotel steeped in local connection.
I loved that Iberostar Selection Es Trenc had both the essence and the presence of the sea whichever way I turned. Please don't take this with a pinch of salt... those looking for a little gem of a place off the beaten path in Majorca will not be disappointed.
