Belmond La Residencia

A village within a village, La Residencia is one of Mallorca’s most celebrated hotels. With 69 rooms and suites and one villa, the property is set on a hill in the hamlet of Deià, on Mallorca’s mountainous west coast, and contains a compound of 16th-century stone manor houses, 30 acres of lush gardens and olive and citrus groves—all with beautiful views of the sea in the distance. Unhurried yet full of life thanks to a robust offering of experiences and amenities, La Residencia welcomes both romantics and families. Amenities and activities include tennis courts; visits to a nearby olive press and winery; mountain picnics (your feast can even be couriered up via donkey); cooling off in the pools, at the spa or on the beach (just a short drive off-property); Vespa and boat tours; and exploring in nearby Deià, Valldemossa and Sóller.

The Standout: The art, including 800+ original pieces from the George and Cecilie Sheridan collection; one of Spain’s largest permanent sculpture gardens; 33 Miró paintings

Don’t Miss: The art tour hosted by curator Cecilie Sheridan, with private visits of studios in Deià and meetings with the artists

• The olive grove that produces the hotel’s oil (olive oil master classes are offered, and guests can adopt a tree)
• Unique suites with private pools and the three-bedroom villa
• An abundance of activities, including painting and sculpture classes led by local artists
• A lantern-lit dinner at the Mirador, the most magical corner of the hotel

Since its opening, La Residencia's excellent service; remote, romantic location; and top cuisine (at El Olivo) have won over an impressive list of guests. Originally masterminded by Richard Branson in the 1980s, it is now owned and managed by Belmond (the hotel company formerly known as Orient-Express).

The 69 guest rooms and suites have whitewashed walls, wood-beamed ceilings and traditional handmade Mallorcan furnishings. Located a few minutes' walk from the hotel are eight newer suites and The Villa, a deluxe accommodation with four bedrooms. A favorite suite, and one that is popular with honeymooners, is the two-level Luxury Tower Suite, an ancient watchtower thought to have been built by the Templar Knights.

The always-bustling property is family-friendly, and younger guests enjoy the tennis courts, visiting a nearby olive press and mountain picnics with a feast couriered up by donkey. The hotel also boasts two sexy pools (one of which is adults-only). Because of its location in Deià, visitors can also dine at a different restaurant each night without needing a car. During the day, proximity to sights such as Valldemossa, Sóller and the sea make touring easy. Other favorite excursions include Vespa tours around the island, lessons with the hotel's in-residence artists and a boat tour that is complimentary for all guests once during their stay.

The small but excellent spa includes six treatment rooms, an indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, Jacuzzi, gym and even a salon.

La Residencia was built out of two 16th-century manor houses set on a hill, with rooms spread across various levels of terraces, all connected by stairs. Older travelers, families with stroller-bound children or anyone with a bum knee might find themselves stranded, wondering how to get from lunch to the spa to town without an elevator at their disposal.

Also, the hotel is bigger and the grounds have slightly more buzz than other properties like Castell Son Claret and Gran Hotel Son Net – a plus for families but a con for couples who want to hole away somewhere very private and very quiet. The property is best for families who prefer staying in a hotel that feels at one with its Mallorquin surroundings, and couples who aren't looking for utter seclusion. Those looking for nightlife will be disappointed with Deià, a sleepy village, and the drive into Palma or Port Sóller is daunting at night.