Best Historical Hotels in Balearic Islands

People who like to be active during their holiday while surrounding themselves with luxury are sure to appreciate all that the Son Brull Hotel & Spa next to Pollensa has to offer. In addition to the signature spa with its sauna and steam room, the hotel also feature a large tennis courts and a huge outdoor swimming pool complex, both of which are set in a picturesque garden. Lovers of fine dining are also sure to be in their element here as gourmet cuisine is served in a stylish setting. Wine enthusiasts are sure to be in their element as a winery is attached to this luxurious hotel. Special wine tours and tastings are available on request and this special experience is sure to help make staying in this hotel truly memorable.

Follow the labyrinth-like streets upwards until you’re high above the UNESCO-listed city of Dalt Vila. Here you’ll find a collection of three 16th-century buildings, comprising secret passageways and old watchtowers, that make up the historic Hotel La Torre del Canónigo. On its grounds are a pool and solarium and the Corsair Restaurant & Terrace, set in a 10th-century building. Guest bedrooms are simple but very fashionable in terms of decor, sporting original features such as exposed stone walls and wooden beamed ceilings.

The traditional Majorcan patio with magnificent arches and lush plants welcomes you to the Can Cera hotel. The layout of this hotel hints to its past as a family home and although the building has been renovated, there are still plenty of original features. There are lots of common spaces in the hotel including the Recibidor meeting room, the intimate Salon Dorado, the comfortable Bibliotecca or reading room, and the top floor Terraza with views over the old city rooves. With only 14 rooms this hotel is small and elegant. The rooms are spacious and bright with traditional Majorcan influences. French doors lead out onto Juliette balconies and the bathrooms are simple and modern in muted tones. Each room has a different character much like the rooms of a house, adding to the feeling of comfortable luxury. The hotel is also home to a spa which includes a Finnish sauna, Hamman sauna and a Jacuzzi.

Hotel Cort is truly unique in its style. The hotel is reminiscent of seaside retreats with subtle nods towards traditional Spanish abodes whilst retaining a luxurious feel. It is obvious that when designing the hotel, they aimed to keep it feeling homey and comfortable. The rooms themselves have a relaxing ambience and each room is unique in design, from the lemon tree-filled suite, to the Hamptons-like room with sailing-inspired pieces. As for exploring the rest of the hotel that is an adventure for each visitor to partake in – there are multiple bars and terraces tucked away in corners and up staircases that are just waiting to be discovered!

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.

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.

Tucked away in amongst the narrow medieval streets of the old centre of Palma is Posada Terra Santa – an unassuming boutique hotel housed in the Boixador Baron’s former stately home (dating back to 1576). A large central patio leads off to the reception area as well as peaceful interior patios which reflect the out-door/in-door feeling that many traditional Spanish homes are known for. Follow the flower-filled urns that adorn the stairs up to the main body of the hotel. The Posada Terra Santa has kept the original layout of the 26-bedroomed home, each of which are decorated in taupes, greys, and light luxurious neutrals, keeping a comfortable and cool elegance running throughout the hotel. There is an almost Scandi-inspired design element to the hotel with modern furniture design and lots of wood. The rooms are situated higher up in the townhouse so most have views out across the terracotta tiled rooves. La Despensa del Baron restaurant is a lovely place to chill out – the original 14th-century gothic arches provide for a shady arcade under which to enjoy some local wine and tapas. The hotel too has an abundance of common space including a terrace with a solarium and small heated swimming pool, a cosy library, and an honesty bar perfect for midnight snacks.

A converted 19th-century building homes the airy Boutique Hotel Calatrava, which sits as part of a façade of buildings that used to form an ancient Arabic wall in Palma. The hotel is decorated in a contemporary Spanish style – there is a lot of natural wood throughout, interesting art adorns the clean walls, and the furniture is a stylish mix of modern and vintage. There are only 16 rooms for a truly boutique experience, all of which have King size beds and spacious closets. We recommend going for a suite if you can as you are guaranteed a view over the bay of Palma from your private balcony, perfect for lazy holiday breakfasts. The Boutique Hotel Calatrava also offers a comprehensive luxury concierge to ease the stress of travelling – from organising day excursions to booking your private yacht, their staff can do it all for you.

With its concept deeply rooted in the island’s culture, S’hotelet Des Born is centrally located in Ciutadella de Menorca, close to the infamous Plaza del Borne, found on Menorca’s stunning south eastern coast. Exquisitely designed, this five-star hotel truly is a sophisticated sanctuary. Enjoy the spacious rooms, nearby restaurants and spa. The Thalis Spa, built in an ancient cave forming part of the hotel’s basement, provides a peaceful oasis in which to relax and replenish.

Es Figueral Nou is the rural member of Nybau Hotels’ trinity of Mallorca properties, transforming an 18th-century farmstead and winery in Montuiri into a contemporary countryside retreat. This boutique hotel offers understated luxury amidst olive groves and iconic windmills, with cinematic views stretching towards the UNESCO Tramuntana mountains. Chef Daniel Pérez Casas leads the kitchen at Es Pati de Montuiri restaurant, serving seasonal menus in historic vaulted spaces or on the fountain terrace. Just 30 minutes from the airport.

Can Lluc offers authentic Ibiza away from the party scene. This 300-year-old family estate near the village of Sant Rafel provides 25 rooms, suites and villas across rolling countryside. Dine on traditional recipes under the stars, relax by the infinity pool, and explore vineyards and pine forests. The perfect base for discovering the island’s quieter side.

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.