Formerly an eighteenth-century Jesuit monastery, this historic building now serves as Son Brull Hotel and Spa, a 5-star retreat in Mallorca. The relaxing accommodations are closeby to mountains, beaches, and farmland: everything one could ask for on a Spanish village vacation.
The hotel stands at the foot of Puig de Maria in the scenic hillside of Pollensa. Close to the Tramuntana mountains, the property is just walking distance from Sierra de Tramuntana, a natural park and UNESCO Heritage site. Nearby water attractions include beaches, bays, and the Formentor Peninsula, which can be explored by boating, sailing, windsurfing, skiing, and diving, activities for which there are opportunities to take lessons or go it alone. On-land options range from hiking and biking to caving and exploring the local agriculture. Even on the Son Brull grounds, there are olive, almond, lemon, and orange trees, not to mention a vineyard and a vegetable garden. Sightseeing from a helicopter or hot air balloon is perhaps the best way to get a look at the many things to view and do in Mallorca.
The Son Brull Hotel and Spa itself is a beauty to behold. Lodgings include 23 unique rooms, each modern yet soothing with polished floors and exposed wooden beams. The spacious rooms are individually furnished and decorated with artwork. In addition to sophisticated design, the accommodations boast creature comforts ranging from the expected air conditioning, heating, and free WiFi to the high-end beach hats, whirlpool (in most rooms), and electronics by Bang & Olufsen.
Beyond the rooms, there is a spa, recreational facilities, a film and music library, a meeting room, a handicrafts store, and, of course, a bar and restaurant. The standout spa includes both indoor and outdoor rooms, a sauna, a hammam, and a whirlpool. Treatments range from wine therapy to geothermal massage, and activities include practicing hatha yoga and swimming laps around the indoor-outdoor heated pool. There is a tennis court, a bike rental station, and a gym with personal trainers available as well, so visitors can work up a sweat just about any way that they like. When it is time to get down to business, travelers can book the handsome meeting room. Then, for a cultural pick-me-up, they can head straight to the Son Brull library of movies and CDs or to the shop stocked with homemade and local products.
After working up an appetite, guests should look no further than the on-site eateries: Restaurant 3/65 and U-BAR Cocktails and Tapas. Open for lunch and dinner, Restaurant 3/65 is a fine dining establishment with tasting menus and a la carte options such as veal terrine with pumpkin and vanilla and gyoza stuffed with pork cheek, date, and truffle. From fig to artichoke, all of the produce is certified organic and grown on the premises. The fresh ingredients are then brought to life again by chef Rafel Perello, whom guests can learn from by taking cooking classes in the afternoon. Each meal is best rounded-out with a selection from the extensive wine list, which favors local vintage and offers a house wine, Negre Son Brull, grown in the hotel’s own vineyard. Wine tastings can be booked as well. For a delicious but more casual meal, foodies can turn to U-BAR, which serves treats such as fried duck eggs and apricot sorbet as well as comforting mainstays like paella and risotto.
Offering a smorgasbord of leisure experiences, Son Brull Hotel and Spa is a choice destination for anyone who wants to escape the daily grind, try new things, and see the world one unforgettable village at a time.
