Best Design Hotels in Balearic Islands

30 suites at this adults-only barefoot-chic retreat are furnished with Bang & Olufsen TV and sound systems, minibars, Nespresso machines, L’Occitane and Bulgari toiletries. The seaside property’s airy decor takes its cue from both Japanese and Scandi influences, creating a modern, soothing effect. The resort has three saltwater swimming pools (one infinity-style that’s semi-hidden and overlooking the ocean) within its grounds. Dine indoors or alfresco at Asador de Mar, on meaty feasts cooked over an open fire. Pleta de Mar is found a 15-minute walk from the east coast town of Canyamel and is an hour’s taxi ride from the airport.

Like the Forum Boutique Hotel, this is better suited to an older clientele — children aged 12 and over are welcome. Hotel Can Mostatxins is named after a butcher (specifically his notable moustache) who once lived in these sensitively restored 15th and 19th-century buildings. A plunge pool and spa are hidden in an atmospheric courtyard and there are just eight bedrooms, ensuring a boutique experience. It’s independently owned and very homely. There’s no restaurant or cafe, but the hotel is conveniently located close to the town square, with restaurants and bars a stone’s throw away. Its public areas comprise an honest bar, library and small boutique.

Proving Alcudia isn’t all about young families, this is a hotel catering exclusively to adults. Exposed natural stone walls, pine beams, clean lines, Scandi furnishings, contemporary watercolour artworks, oversized freestanding tubs and industrial-chic lighting all contribute to a peaceful sophistication at Forum Boutique, which first opened in 2018. Guests can swim in an outdoor saltwater pool, relax in the interior garden and stargaze from the terrace hot tub. Forum Boutique has 16 bedrooms in total, a shared lounge and a bar and is located along a pretty cobbled street, a few minutes walk from the town marketplace.

With interiors akin to the kinds of superyachts that come and go from the adjacent marina, NH Collection Ibiza is a little alternative (by Ibizan standards) and very trendy. 38 rooms come with Bang & Olufsen speakers, Illy coffee machines, Balearic-sourced Ayurvedic essential oils and Dead Clean bath products. At the heart of the resort is a triangular saltwater pool; a challenge for lengths, but a triumph for Instagramming, a cocktail in the hand and designer sunnies on the head. Izakaya has a bohemian edge and serves Peruvian-Japanese fusion food, including sushi and Sakana small plates, while The Butcher restaurant does a mean Aberdeen Angus beef burger and serves drinks till well after sunrise.

Book one of 53 bedrooms and suites here, including the anything-but-standard 14-bedroom Casa Privada, a private residence for you and your pals to plunge into a private pool and hot tub within your own courtyard, enjoy an exclusive in-suite treatment room and sleep serenely in a separate building from the rest of the rabble. In the main hotel, the leafy rooftop accommodates a 15-metre swimming pool, bar and eatery with Mexican dishes and Wagyu beef. And downstairs there’s the Jara bistro spilling onto Plaza Vara de Rey, with a DJ booth for a funky soundscape. From April to November the hotel is for adults only.

The Barceló Nura is an upscale hotel located in the quiet area of Biniancollet, Menorca, close to Punta Prima beach. The hotel features 128 rooms, many of which include access to semi-private or shared pools. It’s designed with a modern touch that pays homage to Menorca’s traditional architecture, emphasising natural light, open spaces, and sustainable materials.

Guests can enjoy three large outdoor pools, a well-equipped wellness centre, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic sea views. The hotel’s dining options focus on local Menorcan cuisine, featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients. The Barceló Nura also caters to wellness enthusiasts with a fully equipped gym, a spa offering a range of treatments, and peaceful gardens perfect for relaxation.

The hotel’s location provides easy access to some of Menorca’s best natural attractions, making it ideal for both relaxation and exploration. Sustainability is a key focus, with the hotel implementing eco-friendly practices throughout its operations.

Cap Menorca is a luxury resort located on Menorca’s unspoiled northeastern coast, offering an exclusive, luxurious retreat. The resort is set within a natural, protected environment, featuring private villas that combine modern design with the island’s traditional architecture. Each villa is equipped with top-tier amenities, including private pools, expansive terraces, and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea.

Guests can enjoy bespoke services tailored to their needs, such as private chefs, yacht charters, wellness experiences, and personalized excursions. The resort prioritises sustainability, integrating eco-friendly practices into its operations to preserve the surrounding natural beauty. Its location provides seclusion and tranquillity, making it an ideal destination for those seeking privacy, luxury, and a deep connection with nature.

Cap Menorca also offers various activities and services, including guided tours of Menorca’s historical sites, culinary experiences highlighting local flavours, and wellness treatments designed to rejuvenate body and mind. The resort’s commitment to providing a personalised experience ensures that each guest’s stay is unique and unforgettable.

Rising above a canopy of pines, with 360 views across the island, Teranka has emerged as a haven not only for a tranquil Mediterranean escape but for wellbeing retreats too. The 35-room property has a stunning infinity pool, a Garden Restaurant, and a Rooftop bar lounge. Drawing inspiration from the concept of terre d’ancrage – a secure haven amidst the elements of earth, sea, and sky – the essence of Teranka lies in its laid-back, natural aesthetic, which evokes Formentera’s free spirit. Teranka has also emerged as a well-being destination.

Opened in 2024 as Formentera’s first ‘eco-resort’, Dunas de Formentera is pure escapism in the Mediterranean. This beachside hotel offers barefoot luxury in a spectacular sea view location surrounded by nature, just steps from a sandy beach. 45 rooms and suites are found within standalone bungalows and duplex buildings, set amongst the sand dunes of Migjorn beach, shaded by juniper and pine trees. The property’s restaurant, Caliu offers Mediterranean dishes, with views of the infinity pool and the azure and aquamarine waters of Formentera.

While many flock to beachside resorts in Ibiza, the Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila offers a very different perspective on the island. The 19th-century property is a former Lord’s manor house, tucked into the walled city of Dalt Vila, a Unesco World Heritage site. It was only recently transformed from a residential home into a hotel, with 12 guest rooms located in the main house and in an annex (book the former for original features such as beamed ceilings and wrought iron balconettes). The terrace provides stunning views over the harbour, there’s a fine dining intimate restaurant overlooking the plaza (all meals are served here) and an outdoor plunge pool to cool off in the Balearic heat.

Those seeking an adult-only ambience can book a room at the latest venture from Amàre (the previous one was in Marbella). Sant Josep de sa Talaia is perched on the beach at Bou Cove, where guests have direct access to a dock. The hotel has an airy, contemporary and barefoot luxury feel, with rattan hanging chairs in bedrooms, spaces designed to take full advantage of the aquamarine backdrop and wicker-furnished, lantern-lit al fresco terraces with glass balustrades. Private yoga, DJ sessions by the infinity pool, menus by Michelin-star chef Mauricio Giovanini and a beach club are all part of the lifestyle here.

A former nobleman’s home dating from the 1900s, Can Albertí 1740 Boutique Hotel has grown from a six-bedroom residence to offering 14 bedrooms across its three stories. Recognisable by its salmon pink and white front elevation with wrought iron balconies, it’s both striking and romantic. Inside, vintage styling — nodding to the building’s heritage — melds with contemporary Mediterranean furnishings. Guests can access an honesty bar, a leafy courtyard and a terrace perfect for sundowners, and the concierge is on hand to arrange spa treatments and dish out parasols and towels for beach use.