Es Racó d'Artà

21 Picture-Perfect Hotels in Mallorca, From Historic Castles to Wellness Hotspots

"Architect/designer Antoni Esteva and his long-time associate and builder Jaume Danús are behind some of Mallorca’s most fascinating hotel projects, but this is their best yet. The traditional possessió, or estate, sprawls across acres of glorious countryside in the island’s pristine north-east corner, with elements of monastic refuge, farm stay and nature reserve. The main building, a mansion whose foundations date from the 13th century, has a fortress-like air. Rustic minimalism is Esteva’s stock in trade. This strikes first in the whitewashed interior, the predominant use of natural fibres and the total absence of clutter. Locally crafted objects are artfully positioned (a hat on a hook, a basket in a corner) but the soundtrack is silence. All-round wellness is the point of a stay here. The spa focuses on meditation and water therapies, plus there’s yoga. The wooden slab that serves as a reception desk has no computer and the mobile-phone signal is deliberately reduced. Esteva knows that paying lip service to green values simply won’t do any more, so the property uses solar and geothermal energy and has an ecological water-treatment system. Fruit, vegetables, honey and olive oil come from the organic garden, wine from its vineyard. Natural infusions and kombucha are offered instead of commercial fizzy drinks. If all this sounds too austere to be truly comfortable, know that the effect of a few days here is one of deep, transformative relaxation. Es Racó is somewhere from which you’ll emerge a changed person. —Paul Richardson" - Roxy Kavousi-Walker, Stephanie Rafanelli