Top Ten: Mallorca's Best Hotels, Restaurants, and More

Mallorca

's dramatic landscapes and rugged coves have drawn international celebrities since the early 19th century. The island developed a reputation in the 1960s as an affordable beach destination, attracting sun-starved German and English budget tourists by the planeful. Luckily, in more recent times, Mallorca's government and tourism leaders have decided to shift their focus to luxury and agroturismos, a transition that's allowed the development of inviting new place to stay, eat, and explore. Here are the best hotels, restaurants and more in Mallorca to add to your trip.

Top New Hotel: Castell Son Claret The thirty-eight-room hotel occupies a 19th-century house, and although the exterior is traditional Mallorcan in style, interiors are sleek and modern, outfitted with 21st-century amenities. The hotel is located inland, in the mountainous Calvía region, so there are no sea views, but the surrounding Tramuntana range provides beautiful vistas. As a result, it feels far more like a country than seaside retreat.

Top Classic Hotel: Gran Hotel Son Net A long driveway passes by Mediterranean pine trees and terraced gardens en route to a 17th-century mansion that’s painted a beautiful shade of deep pink. Previously the private home of Canadian hotelier David Stein, the Gran Son Net was turned into a hotel in the 1990s, but the walls are still covered with Stein’s magnificent collection of Warhols, Hockneys and Christos. Each of the twenty-five rooms and suites is unique, but all are luxuriously appointed with rich fabrics and spacious marble bathrooms. Rooms on the top floors have postcard-perfect views.

Top Villa Rental Indagare members can contact our bookings team for advice and assistance on renting private villas on Mallorca for long or short stays. For assistance, email bookings@indagare.com, or call 212-988-2611.

Top Shop for Local Treasures: Gordiola At Gordiola, you’ll find the island’s best selection of locally produced glassware.

Top Shop for Hottest Finds: Rialto Living Palma’s favorite concept store is a rambling group of spaces housed in multiple buildings. Beautiful photograph books, home accessories, clothing, luggage and furniture sit side-by-side, the stock carefully curated by the owners, founders of fashion label Gant. The store is constantly expanding, and there are rumors of restaurants opening there soon.

Top Sunbathing Spot: PuroBeach It’s easy to spend the whole day at this glowing white-beach club/restaurant/spa, which juts out into the bay like a small peninsula. Arrive early and reserve a lounge chair, then have a leisurely poolside breakfast or a light lunch. The international mix of dishes includes grilled lobster, lamb kefta and moules frites. Before cocktail hour, sign up for an open-air massage at the spa.

Top Atmospheric Meal: El Olivo For one of the best meals on Mallorca, head to the fine-dining restaurant at La Residencia hotel. Located in a 500-year-old olive press, it is a sublimely romantic spot in which to savor the five-course chef’s menu, which during a recent trip, included an unforgettable foie-gras-stuffed pigeon. Many tables are set on the glorious terrace. Don’t be surprised if you witness an ecstatic wedding proposal.

Top Cocktail Spot: Tast Club The island’s hot spot is this bar/restaurant/lounge, located in Palma, which boasts a seriously stylish design and clientele. Go for drinks and stay for dinner, especially the tapas.

Top Iconic Table: Ca’s Xorc This restaurant is housed in an old finca boutique hotel located in the hills above the town of Sóller. The dining room is where the olive press originally sat, so the space is airy, with high, vaulted ceilings, and the tables are well spaced. As you might expect, the extensive wine list is excellent, and dishes are refined and delicious. Favorite dishes include scallops with prawns and mushrooms and herb-crusted Tramuntana lamb.

Top Day Trip: Fornalutx Some call Fornalutx the prettiest village on Mallorca, with its mountain views and sweet smell of orange blossoms wafting in the air. The town’s cobbled streets and quaint stone houses are idyllic, and the surrounding areas afford excellent hikes.