"Why book? This tranquil boutique hotel in the heart of the small town of Santanyí offers an exquisitely unexpected splash of luxury in a low-key rural destination. Set the scene: Located less than an hour away from the Palma de Mallorca airport, the southern town of Santanyí is the latest destination in Mallorca that dares to renew its luxury hotel offer. What was a place intended to find rural calm is now, thanks to Can Ferrereta, an essential spot where a five-star service is finally put on the map. In the past, those visiting were only here for a day trip, taking advantage of a farmer’s market that brings the town to life every Wednesday and Saturday. Can Ferrereta has changed it all, becoming a destination in itself and allowing travelers to consider spending more days in the area in order to explore the surroundings. If Santanyí’s streets, bars, and restaurants are a summer hangout for locals looking to get away from the city—as well as the place where western Europeans settle their second homes—Can Ferrereta is the newly appointed choice for creative travelers, including photographers, artists, or tech-savvy profiles looking to unplug from their daily routines. The backstory: After the Soldevila-Ferrer family realized they were constantly recommending Santanyí as a day trip destination for guests at their other hotel (Sant Francesc, in Palma), they finally decided to “replicate” their luxury boutique concept in the area to fulfill their own desires of upgrading its hotel offer. Finding the ideal location to build Can Ferrereta was a matter of destiny that led to purchasing land that was owned by the same family for decades—helping the Soldevila-Ferrer to stay true to the values of tradition while building over it. Loyalty has been paid to the refurbishing of the original structure by way of architect Sergi Bastidas, who added two new buildings and completed what is an outstanding exercise of minimalism and exquisite taste in 32 rooms (more than half are suites), a pool that steals all the looks, a more than 3,000-square-foot spa with interior pool and two restaurants—Ocre Restaurant & Bar and La Fresca Restaurant & Pool Bar. Art reigns in Can Ferrereta, so expect to be in close proximity to a painting by artist Jordi Alcaraz or Guillem Nadal, a sculpture by Riera i Aragó, pieces by Dominica Sánchez, or a painting signed by Lars Schwabe (the only international name that hangs from the hotel’s walls). The rooms: Although the Junior Suite is not considered the best of the 32 rooms in Can Ferrereta, it is definitely our favorite. The 485-square-foot suite excels at making us feel at home (if home had an Origin bathtub in the middle of the room or a private garden with pool views). while making it clear that art and design are the heart of an establishment that beats to the rhythm of great taste. Photographs by Bárbara Vidal illustrate through a romantic aesthetic what the land looked like before the arrival of Can Ferrereta, while an egg-shaped sculpture by Santigo Villanueva rests in the middle of the room. Food and drink: We cannot highlight how much we love a drink near the pool while snacking on fresh and local bites—a moment that can be easily achieved while sunbathing at Can Ferrereta, feeling the breeze on our skin while sipping a Pomada Mallorquina, a drink that’s impossible to miss while on the island. Nevertheless, the Ocre restaurant is the true stand-out here, with impossible-to-forget dishes such as the seasonal carrots with smoked Majorcan cheese, carrot purée and black truffle, and rice with black pork cheeks, artichokes, bacon, and saffron. The spa: Under the name of Sa Calma, Can Ferrereta’s spa excels at paying a tribute to the natural scents and images of the surrounding landscapes, such as salts coming from d'Es Trenc, local seaweeds, natural oils (olive and almond), rosemary, lavender, lemon, orange, or marine mud. Facial and body treatments are always complemented by products from French brand Anne Semonin. The neighborhood/area: The town of Santanyí is quite classic and not at all avant-garde. Don’t expect the surrounding restaurants and bars to meet the level of excellence of Can Ferrereta, but do trust that they are locally owned and honest in their offer. Nevertheless, there are several ceramic stores and local artisans specializing in the art of alpargatería that will constantly draw your attention and will make it hard for you to successfully pack your suitcase once your holiday is over. Plus, it is mandatory here to rent a bike or a car in order to get to know the surroundings thoroughly, since Santanyí is located in the middle of Ses Salines and the Parque Natural de Mondragó, as well as near some dreamy beaches and coves. The service: Every time you pass by the lobby you will be politely greeted by the hotel’s staff, who are young, very attentive, and looking to accommodate each and every need. Do you need to book a (luxury) transfer from the airport to the hotel in a private car? Count on it. Reservations at nearby restaurants? Done. Feel free to ask the staff for anything you need, they are well aware of what’s hot (or not) in the area and know the surroundings well enough to create a custom-made route for you to discover its wonders. Details are everything though, so expect a little present—always linked to Mallorca traditions—waiting for you in your room every night. Anything left to mention? Your jaw will drop when you make it to the pool area, a relaxing landscape only interrupted by the sound of the breeze kissing the surrounding bushes. The reason? Duna’s Dream, a six-and-a-half-foot-high sculpture by Jaume Plensa weighing 617 pounds. It's relatively hidden and not looking to steal attention, but trust us: It does. Finally, in 100 words or less, what makes this hotel worthy of Hot List? Most impressive is its capacity to achieve the perfect balance between design and sophistication, without being uptight or boring. Plus, its bet on the town of Santanyí is definitely one that is bringing life, excitement, and attention to a place that was beginning to get left behind." - Paula Móvil
