Majorca is set to expand its five-star hotel portfolio once again in 2024, making the Mediterranean island a prime location for travel advisors looking to impress both new and returning clients.
The Balearic island has been popular with holidaymakers since the 1950s, and in recent years its tourism sector has significantly evolved to target the elite consumer.
Majorca is now home to 65 five-star hotels, with the investment of brands like Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental elevating its profile in the global luxury travel market. Refurbishments of some of its older properties, such as the iconic Hotel Valldemossa, have also spotlit the island’s commitment to providing luxury against a cultural backdrop.
“The new quality hotel openings reflect the upward progression of Majorca’s tourism industry and demonstrates its ability to re-invent itself. Thanks to the island’s modern infrastructure it also offers the best-connected international airport in the Mediterranean,” said Eduardo Gamero, president of the Fomento del Turismo de Mallorca.
In 2023, 12.4 million tourists visited Majorca, 10.7% of whom were British. With Palma now using gastronomy to appeal to luxury travellers, the stunning island has proven itself as more than capable of catering to high-spending clients.
It’s also a popular yacht destination and boasts some of Spain’s best shopping, with its famous Paseo del Borne, also known as the Golden Mile, a hotspot for designer stores, jewellers and high-end boutiques. So if there’s one European island luxury travel agents need to prioritise in 2024, it’s definitely Majorca.
What’s new
Launching on 29 February, Hotel Valldemossa will rival some of Majorca’s most luxurious existing accommodation once it opens.
The 19th-century manor sits in the rugged hills of the Sierra de Tramuntana, a region awarded Unesco World Heritage status in 2011 for its natural rich systems and cultural elements. Originally part of the Royal Charterhouse Palace and home to King Sancho of Mallorca, Valldemossa was acquired last year by It Mallorca, a high-end boutique hotel group that has since transformed the property into ‘a healing space in communion with nature’.
While no monarchs live on site today, guests can still expect the royal treatment during their stay at this historic property. With just 12 rooms – all with spacious private terraces and breathtaking views – the hotel has been designed to feel more like a ‘home away from home’ than a lavish resort. In keeping with It Mallorca’s ethos of blending tradition with modernity, Valldemossa’s interiors embrace French 1950s aesthetics with terracotta flooring and original furniture from architects of that era.
Its tranquillity is enhanced by an adult-only policy, and a highlight is the Valldemossa Suite, a 65 sq m space with wooden beams, noble materials and designer furniture and a private terrace with a stone jacuzzi overlooking the La Cartuja. The suite is also neighboured by the hotel’s Sanctuary spa offering a range of natural therapies. Two swimming pools and outdoor gym with personal trainer services are also available.
Residents can find world-class cuisine at De Tokio a Lima, the hotel’s restaurant serving a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian dishes with a Mediterranean twist. Just ten minutes’ walk away lies the quaint village of Valldemossa, known for its pedestrian-friendly cobbled streets and blonde stone dwellings.
Rates start from €330 (approx. £290) per room per night during low season. During the high season, the room-only rate starts from €610 (approx. £530) per room per night (price based on a deluxe terrace room).
Four Seasons Resort at Formentor
It should come as no surprise that Hotel Formentor’s relaunch as the Four Seasons Resort at Formentor is tipped to be the biggest shakeup for Majorca’s hotel scene this spring.
Having opened in 1929 as the island’s first ever luxurious residence, the hotel made headlines last year after coming under the management of the global luxury hotel and resort company. It has since been transformed into a resort with 108 rooms and suites, seven gastronomic experiences (three of which are beach restaurants), and a garden spa with outdoor yoga space. Guests will also have access to a tennis court, a children’s park, two swimming pools and a vineyard.
In keeping with Four Seasons’ Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program, Four Seasons for Good, this hotel has been thoughtfully designed to respect the local surroundings through various ecological initiatives.
Architect Estudio Lamela Restoration and interior designers Gilles & Boissier have implemented a number of measures to ensure the redeveloped estate aligns with the hotel group’s sustainability focus, including the restoration of native vegetation and planting, reduced water consumption and solar power through use of solar panels.
Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra Mallorca (Calvia)
Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra Mallorca’s upcoming opening marks the group’s third hotel in Spain, but its first resort hotel there.
Having already found success with city hotels in Madrid and Barcelona, Mandarin is now looking to make a mark on the Spanish island’s historically rich town of Calvia.
The Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra Mallorca will feature 137 rooms, including suites and private bungalows, as well as a range of local and international restaurants.
Guests will also have access to three swimming pools, two beaches, and a spa, where they can indulge in the upscale hotel group’s signature wellness therapies and beauty treatments. The opening date yet is yet to be confirmed, but it’s expected to welcome clients in the second half of 2024.
