Somewhere along the line, Mallorca lost a little of its sparkle. Perhaps it was in the 1980s when Magaluf put a slur on its reputation, and it became Majorca, all phonetics and glottal stop. Then in the 1990s, everyone went next door to party with its naughty little sister, Ibiza.
But the smart set has never stopped going to Mallorca, unshuttering their villas every springtime. They come for its romantic coastline, dramatic mountainscapes, tiny bays of sapphire water, and terracotta-roofed villages, jumbled across hilltops. And Palma, with its boulevards of boutiques and its labyrinthine old town full of hidden tavernas and sophisticated bars.
This is the island that has inspired generations of artists, writers, poets, and musicians since Chopin shocked the locals by turning up with his mistress, George Sand. Then came DH Lawrence, Robert Graves, Joan Miró, and Anaïs Nin, all drawn to sleepy Deià, which has become a haven for artists. Jagger partied here in the 1980s, when he wasn’t in Mustique. Now, in 2023, Richard Branson opened his first hotel here.
How we choose the best hotels in Mallorca
Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known properties that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We’re always looking for beautiful design, a great location, and warm service—as well as serious sustainability credentials.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
