Sant Francesc Hotel Singular
"Tell us about your first impressions of the place.Mallorca has really come of age in the past decade, especially with this sophisticated, grown-up hotel with most probably the city’s roomiest roof terrace and its most inviting pool, shimmering in the shadow of the looming basilica. So what's the story behind this hotel?From a platinum-pedigree family of hoteliers, owner Andrés Soldevila Ferrer embarked on the refurbishment of this 19th-century Mallorcan palace, collaborating with leading architects and designers to create an emblematic hotel that still felt like home. He enlisted his mother, interior designer and art curator Nuria Ferrer Klein, to commission the showstopper modern artworks in the lobby. During the renovation, a grenade from the Spanish Civil War was unearthed—fortunately defunct. Sant Francesc Singular has hosted Hollywood royalty, and Michelle Obama once dined at the must-have table, number 42, in the Quadrat Restaurant garden. What are the rooms like? Any special details that make your stay that much more comfortable?All 42 rooms have a quirky, independent spirit thanks to the historic character. Decor, such as in Room 210, is a graceful fusion of white wood rafters, French oak, and stone flooring. Stylish Keeley amenities by the bathtub. Thoughtful extras include a handy waterproof bag for wet swimwear and the gift of a black handbook with the owner’s favorite island haunts. A room to covet is the Sant Francesc Suite, with its frescoed ceilings and private balcony with views to the old town. How's the restaurant on site?Quadrat Restaurant & Garden, formerly the stables, serves fresh, seasonal Mediterranean stuff—the signature dish of scarlet shrimp socarrat rice created with the island’s famed Soller red prawns is moreish and creamy, thanks to preparation in a traditional paella pan. At breakfast are Mallorca’s classic ensaïmada snail-shaped pastries made by renowned bakery C’an Joan de S’aigo, and the island’s sobrasada cured paprika sausage. How do the staff treat you?Any request is carried out with genuine warmth. General Manager Miguel Feliz is always ready to welcome guests personally. Concierge specials such as creating your own gin at a nearby Palma distillery or watching espadrilles being made in Palma’s Olivar market are original diversions. We like it! What kinds of visitors are likely to select the Sant Francesc if staying in Mallorca?Savvy, cosmopolitan, inquisitive. They might listen to Lana del Rey or José Gonzales with a glug of Adele and The Weeknd thrown in for good measure. Julian Barnes’s The Only Story and Sudden Death by Alvaro Enrique might hit the right note at bedtime. What are the highlights of the neighboring area?Secreted in peaceful Sant Francesc Square, adjacent to the 13th-century church of the same name, the hotel has a certain anonymity while being in the heart of the historic quarter. It’s close to galleries, boutiques, and niche restaurants, as well as leading sights such as Palma Cathedral and the Arab baths. What else should we be sure to check out while staying here?All the perks: a rooftop terrace and pool, gym housed in a former ancient water cistern, wellness suite, and a sanctuary of a cocktail bar and olive tree-clad inner courtyard. A helpful doorman on hand with bottles of mineral water when the sun sizzles. Were there any potential downsides to staying here?Unseasonal weather that curtails feasting on the scrumptious sushi served on the roof terrace from May to October. So if you were to give this restaurant a tag line, what would it be?This may be an uber-chic urban bolthole, but it’s as cozy as a cashmere blanket." - Ana Nicholas
