Rooftop pool, city views, upscale restaurant, spa
Plaça de Sant Francesc, 5, Centre, 07001 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain Get directions
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"From a platinum-pedigree family of hoteliers, owner Andrés Soldevila Ferrer embarked on the refurbishment of a 19th-century palace and turned it into a savvy showstopper with an independent spirit. Thoughtful extras in the rooms include a handy waterproof bag for wet swimwear and the gift of a black handbook with the owner’s favorite island haunts. In the process of its transformation, table number 42 (where Michelle Obama once dined) has become a must-have in the Quadrat Restaurant & Garden. Formerly the stables, the kitchen serves fresh, seasonal Mediterranean fare—the signature dish of scarlet shrimp socarrat rice created with the island’s famed Soller red prawns is rich and creamy thanks to preparation in a traditional paella pan. At breakfast, try traditional ensaïmada, snail-shaped pastries made by renowned bakery C’an Joan de S’aigo. —Anna Nicholas" - Roxy Kavousi-Walker, Stephanie Rafanelli
"At some point Palma de Mallorca’s best hotels came to rival those in Barcelona and Madrid, two cities that have been in the top league for luxury and boutique hotels from the start. That’s thanks in large part not to the big chains but to one-off independent hotels like Sant Francesc Hotel Singular." - Guide MICHELIN
"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
"The 5-star Sant Francesc Hotel Singular is located in a 19th-century manor house in the beautiful Plaza de Sant Francesc. Located in the old town of Palma de Mallorca, it is only 300 metres from Palma Cathedral and 600 metres from Palma Port. The hotel has 42 elegant rooms and suites. All are tastefully designed to make you feel at home, many with wood-beamed ceilings and covered verandas, as well as others that feature original frescoes and moldings. All the rooms have free WiFi access, air conditioning, a Nespresso coffee maker, minibar, flat-screen TV and satellite television. The Sant Francesc Hotel Singular has an elegant restaurant, Restaurant Quadrat, a lobby bar and patio, and the Singular Rooftop Terrace, with a 30 m² pool, where you can enjoy the wonderful views over Plaza Sant Francesc. The hotel also has a gym and offers beauty treatments." - My Boutique Hotel (en)
"Everything about this neoclassical mansion, now superbly restored as a serene boutique hotel, has been beautifully realised. You enter to soaring carved original ceilings, statement mirrors and a bold sweep of painted marble staircase. An inner courtyard has olive trees, the lobby bar a wall of backlit bottles, and the shaded garden a vertical wall of succulents. Artwork is contemporary yet harmonious, much of it specifically commissioned, including photographs of the building prior to restoration displayed along the corridors. A lift glides up to the rooftop pool and bar for panoramic views and cool beverages in the sunshine or cocktails at night. Each of the 42 rooms and suites is unique in layout and styling. Some have balconies, patios, private terraces, canopy beds and baths; all come in soothing shades of stone and are flawless. We dined on exquisitely plated, delicious Mallorcan fare in the Quadrat restaurant and savoured well-matched wines, before sinking into our supremely comfortable bed for a peaceful night's sleep. The perfect pied-à-terre for a relaxed city break: by day, stroll around the old city for heritage buildings, the cathedral and art museums; return to bliss out in the small spa or for a rooftop swim. Highs We thought it perfect for a classy, romantic break Gorgeous rooms and suites with bespoke furniture, good quality fixtures and fittings; all are double-glazed and soundproofed A choice of common areas from the rooftop pool and bar to a riad-style enclosed courtyard and gardens to the rear Fantastic food: we loved the sea bass with Hollandaise foam and lemon air, and a duck breast with apple and pineapple chutney A great location within easy walking distance to all sights and shopping Lows Many bathrooms are open-plan or have a partial wall Pricey, as you'd expect from the no-expense-spared renovation, and high standards of service Not great for families; this is a grown-up establishment A 3-night minimum for stays including a Thurs, Fri or Sat (April-October)" - Nadine Mellor
