Escape to Mallorca

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Travel

If you’re after a seriously easy holiday without compromising on luxury, do as Shara did and check into the Belmond La Residencia in Mallorca.

Where can you go that has a short flight, stunning beaches, mountainous scenery, great food and more? Mallorca, as it turns out. Just a two hour flight and 40 minute drive from Palma airport and we find ourselves at the Belmond La Residencia.

The drive, by the way, is stunning – forget motorways, this is through the mountains and we pass charming rustic villages along the way.

Arrival

Upon arrival at La Residencia, located on the north west coast of Mallorca, we find it has breathtaking views, exemplary service befitting the Belmond brand. Beautiful decor that ensures the hotel is totally homogenous with the Deia landscape.

One of the joys of Belmond is that it doesn’t feel like a chain – each of its properties has its own design and authentic story. Here, urban chic is the best way to describe the vibe. The main building is made from beautiful old stone, complete with pretty white shutters and charming climbing greenery and bougainvillea. Wander around the hotel and it feels totally rustic and hidden, immersed in nature – there are citrus trees and olive groves on site.

Artwork is a key feature of the hotel: it has its own gallery and there are more than 750 works. Belmond makes a point of supporting local artists.

I’m here with my husband, who less than conveniently snapped his Achilles weeks ago. Despite struggling to get around on one leg in London he manages with ease here, thanks to the lifts and of course the fact that he is desperate to explore.

The rooms

The rooms are large and utterly private – no wonder this is where several Hollywood starlets have chosen to check in. With terracotta floors, beamed ceilings and a soothing palette, you won’t want to leave the room, and as some of them even have their own pools, you really won’t need to.

The bathroom is almost as big as the bedroom, and the private terrace is lovely. Should you be lucky enough to see the Matthew Williamson Suite, you will find yourself swooning at the sheer maximalism – the brightly coloured cushions, feather lampshades and vivd wallpaper are the ultimate interior design goals. Matthew himself, I’m told, was a guest of the hotel the weekend before we visit.

The Food

Food wise, much of the produce is from Mallorca and of course there is a strong Spanish influence. From fine dining at El Olivo to the relaxed mountain-facing Café Miró, we eat exceptionally well throughout.

For lunch, we start with Aperol spritzes and bread dipped in olive oil, which sounds simple enough, but the olive oil is so blowing that we actually pay to check in luggage on the return leg just so we can purchase some at the hotel’s boutique, La Tienda. We feast on delicious tapas such as patatas bravas, ham croquettes and padron peppers, while at El Olivo, tasting menus featuring baked saddle of lamb and parfait de foie gras lead the way.

If you want to go all out, you could book the Romance Beneath The Stars option – dinner for two at a lantern-lit table hidden in the mountains, accompanied by soft live guitar music. Come breakfast, we find that although the buffet overlooking the pool contains everything you could possibly want, from local fruits to organic eggs, you can go totally bespoke and create your own juices and more – upon request, nothing is impossible here.

Wellness

In need of a lie down and some vitamin D, we find out options are numerous: there are three pools, one of which is adult only. There’s also a Jacuzzi, perfect for sipping a glass of rose in. For the more active, the Belmond La Residencia also has a gym, tennis, spa, yoga sessions, art activities and concerts on the lawn.Whatever you want from a holiday, you’ll find it here. You could make a weekend out of it just by indulging in blissful spa treatments, if you wanted – the Citrus Siesta treatment with olive oil exfoliation sounds like heaven. Belmond has fans who literally plan holidays based on where it has hotels, and after a stay here, I can see why. We’ll be back.