T+L's Hotel review of Son Xotano Hotel in Mallorca, Spain

"Getting to Son Xotano requires a small, nondescript turn down a dirt lane—once inside the centuries-old estate nestled among olive trees, cicadas and bleating goats I was greeted with a cool towel and lemon-infused water on a 100-degree day and found a thoughtful, informal luxury that favors privacy and local craft. The meticulously restored property, whose roots trace to Mallorca's Islamic period (10th–13th centuries), has 20 rooms scattered across the main house and former stables so the hotel feels like a small village; my room (No. 14) near reception had an oversized bed and a massive bathroom stocked with Aesop products, and some rooms open to private gardens or terraces while suites offer deeper living areas and soaking tubs. Afternoons were spent by the glittering blue pool on oversized daybeds, and dining was the highlight: chef José María Borrás drives a kilómetro cero philosophy—"I don't have a garden. Mallorca is the garden"—and the seasonal Balearic menu showcased local langoustines with homemade pasta, a salad with plump Mallorcan blackberries, warm bread with two kinds of butter, goat-cheese salads, roast chicken over olive leaves and ensaimada for dessert, often paired with sommelier-recommended local wines. The hotel offers curated experiences—guided hikes, cycling routes, horseback rides that nod to its equestrian past, private boat tours and sunset cruises—and while there is no dedicated spa guests can book in-room or outdoor massages beneath the olive trees. Son Xotano is adults-only (16+); accessibility is limited (one adapted room, loose-gravel pathways), and sustainability is emphasized through natural insulation, cross-ventilation, rainwater collection, xeriscape landscaping, drip irrigation and elimination of single-use plastics. Though secluded, the location is central enough to reach any corner of the island within about 45 minutes (roughly 20–25 minutes to Palma or Palma de Mallorca Airport), a car is recommended, and nightly rates start around €350 in low season and €500 in high season; the property is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts with I Prefer member benefits." - Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca Stacey Leasca is an award-winning journalist and co-founder of Be a Travel Writer, an online course for the next generation of travel journalists. Her photos, videos, and words have appeared in print or online for Travel + Leisure, Time, Los Angeles Times, Glamour, and many more. You'll usually find her in an airport. If you do see her there, please say hello. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines