Vestige Son Vell

The Best New Hotels in Europe and the UK: 2024 Hot List

"In any setting or landscape, Son Vell would stand out—an imposing 18th-century Italianate villa surrounded by olive and fig trees, holm oaks, chestnuts, palms and luxuriant formal gardens. In its actual setting and landscape, amid the gently undulating agricultural fields at the western edge of Menorca, it stands out all the more. Charming as they often are, it’s probably safe to say none of the island’s other farmhouses possess this kind of dreamy, exotic elegance. The pale lusciousness of the exterior provides the basis of the design scheme throughout the 34 bedrooms—six in the main house, 28 in five bungalows—and is complemented by neutral-toned textiles, limewashed timber beams and well-judged metallic accents. The views from the villa’s upper storeys are wonderful, across treetops and gardens to the ruggedly dramatic coastline, which—if the temptation to relax by the pool or feast in one or other of the superb restaurants can be overcome—cries out to be explored on foot or on horseback. Son Vell was the first hotel to open under the family-owned Vestige brand; half a dozen more, all occupying buildings of historical or architectural significance in various parts of Spain, are due to follow in short order. If Son Vell is anything to go by, the arrival of Vestige is nothing but good news and marks the beginning of an extremely interesting period for the Spanish hotel scene. From $847. —Steve King" - CNT Editors