“We do not build new. Instead we restore old, to ensure the preservation of Majorca’s rich architectural past,” says Miguel Conde who, with his architect wife, Cristina Marti, owns the IT Mallorca hotel brand.
“We have six properties now, and all are in historically significant buildings, in former palaces and mansions, some of which are several hundreds of years old,” he adds.
Their newest baby – the adults-only Hotel Valldemossa, in the heart of the Unesco-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountain range – is a case in point.
Once two 19th-century Majorcan stone houses belonging to the medieval Valldemossa Carthusian Monastery, Hotel Valldemossa is an exquisite 12-room residence that showcases contemporary Spanish art, innovative cuisine, spa therapies and outstanding service.
Though it is the epitome of elegance and sophistication, there is no hint of elitism – all visitors are welcomed with the same warmth, whether they are dressed in high fashion or not.
The guest rooms, all furnished with a mix of new and old materials in soft caramels, greys and ivories, are seductive to the point of being difficult to leave.
It would be easy to stay cocooned there, enjoying the views from the private veranda or terrace, listening to music – Marshall Bluetooth speakers are among the many in-room amenities – and sipping on the complimentary bottle of wine, or a frothy cappuccino.
But to do that would be to miss out on the hotel’s superb De Tokio A Lima restaurant – a fusion of Japanese, Peruvian and Mediterranean cuisine with some memorable vegetarian options such as mango and avocado salad with green beans, and braised aubergine with kale.
There’s also its remarkable art collection, with works by Catalan artist Jordi Alcaraz and photographer Xenia Fuentes, plus there’s the Sanctuary House spa to explore, where manager Amor Garzon’s expertise is as much founded on intuition as on knowledge and experience.
The treatments include acupuncture, hydrotherapy, lymphatic drainage, laser technology and, best of all, back walking massage, where the therapist stands on your back and literally eases the tension with their feet.
Other fitness facilities include indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor gym, and complimentary yoga lessons in a beautiful outside space, surrounded by olive trees, and overlooking the gardens.
Despite the seclusion and privacy it provides, Hotel Valldemossa is extremely well connected. Its wooded hillsides and mountain trails offer perfect routes for cycling and hiking, while the capital city of Palma and the airport are easily accessible by road.
Guests can also explore the gorgeous village of Valldemossa and its film-star looks – all golden stone houses, art galleries, quaint cafes and restaurants, jostling with bijou shops selling local olive oils. Centuries before Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones bought a property on the outskirts of the historic town, Frederick Chopin and his lover, the writer George Sands, spent a month there. Like them, guests at this new hotel will make a wise choice.
Nights at Hotel Valldemossa start from €330 (approx. £290, room only) during low season and high season from €610 (approx. £530) in a Deluxe Terrace Room. Breakfast is €35 (approx. £30) per person.
