The Lodge Mallorca Review

The Lodge Mallorca promises that often elusive balance between restorative travel and having fun. This boutique hotel feels like the slow travel retreat for those who aren’t completely ready to put the brakes on discovery and adventure. Expect a choice of suites, either in the historic farmhouse or in standalone buildings. There’s a stylish infinity pool, the ‘Singular’ restaurant, a wellness area with pool and sauna, as well as over 20 km of trails for those get-away-from-it-all moments

This laidback luxury country hotel, part of the impeccably stylish boutique collection of Unico Hotels created by Barcelona hotelier Pau Guardans, fits perfectly with an island itinerary that pulls together days of poolside relaxation and country pursuits, enhanced with indulgent visits to nearby galleries and Michelin star restaurants, writes Andrew Forbes (The Luxury Editor).

This, the largest of the Balearic Islands, has emerged as the sought-after destination for boutique bliss, whether that’s a luxe bolthole in the capital’s old town or a country estate tucked away from the beach crowds.

Country Contemporary

The Lodge Mallorca is a reimagined farmhouse, a place where contemporary luxury embraces Mallorca’s rural soul. This intimate hotel promises a genuine connection to the island, its nature, food, and traditions, in a very modern, relaxed way.

Just over half an hour’s drive from the airport, one exits the MA-13 highway running north from Palma directly onto the property’s 157-hectare private estate in the UNESCO-protected Sierra de Tramuntana. Passing through the signature lavender fields (at 12 hectares, the largest in the Balearic Islands and a favourite place for destination weddings, guest picnics and aromatic dining under the stars), you arrive at the century old farmhouse.

Lined up by the door are bicycles, an active way to get around the sprawling property if you don’t want to call for one of the electric buggies that ferry guests around the estate, punctuated with twisted olives and fragrant Mediterranean fruit trees.

The main building embraces you with the calming elegance so evocative of the Unico Hotels brand, while also connecting you instantly to the history and traditions of the area. The vast tafona (traditional olive oil press) dominates the space – its impressive millstones, once used to crush olives into paste, sits majestically beside the glass floor-to-ceiling wine cellars, while the imposing wooden beam of the press that once applied pressure to extract the precious oil now spans across reception. This ancient technology, perfected over centuries on the island, serves as a powerful reminder of Mallorca’s agricultural heritage.

It’s a striking metaphor for a place that feels so grounded and connected with its destination and culture, yet also embraces a new era of sophisticated travel where curious visitors in search of relaxation and pampering can also seek out soul-stirring experiences that immerse one in contemporary Mallorca.

Despite my desire to surrender to the temptation of the infinity pool sun beds and the attentive bar service, I instead changed into a cotton beekeeper’s suit, complete with hat, veil and gloves for a signature guest experience – visiting the estate hives for an exhilarating (and at first, a little nerve-wracking) hands-on insight into local bee keeping. The estate proudly produces its own honey products, which also appear as delightful turndown surprises along with lavender sachets harvested from those striking fields at the entrance.

La Cocina del Fuego

Dining at The Lodge’s Singular restaurant showcases the cuisine of fire where local ingredients are transformed by flames from wood collected on the estate itself. Chef Marga Maya is a local talent who brings a passionate connection to Mallorca culinary traditions, but with a contemporary style that matches the hotel’s ethos.

My evening began with house-made llonguet bread served alongside smoked butter and local sobrasada sausage. The flame-roasted pumpkin soup that followed was velvety, studded with tender estate vegetables that carried subtle hints of smoke.

The fish course of grouper suquet, was served with rainbow chard and toasted pine nuts – a beautiful balance of land and sea that characterises Mallorca country cuisine, while the grilled tenderloin came perfectly charred outside while remaining succulently pink within, accompanied by a gratin of potato enriched with Mahón cheese from neighbouring Menorca.

The meal concluded with a classic almond gató – the island’s beloved flourless cake – served with house-made Bourbon vanilla ice cream. Each course was thoughtfully paired with wines from Finca Serena, The Lodge’s sister property, demonstrating the Unico Hotels’ commitment to showcasing the island’s viticultural renaissance.

Modern Mediterranean

I shouldn’t ignore the accommodation. The 24 suites are thoughtfully distributed between the century-old main building and around the estate, designed to be independent of each other, maximising privacy. There are cute and bijou spaces in the old house and more spacious options in the newly built houses on the estate, including an exclusive 50m² Private Pool Suite with its own Mallorca patio.

My retreat was an elegant suite in a bungalow with a wet room bathroom and shower that opened to a private patio, embodying the simple pleasures of the Mediterranean climate. The interiors, designed by Pilar García-Nieto, feature natural materials, earth tones, and carefully considered lighting that allows the countryside setting to be the protagonist.

Beyond The Lodge

The Lodge offers kilometres of hiking trails that take you deep into the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains, a world heritage landscape of ancient olive and Mediterranean oak trees. It’s an instant antidote to urban life. Yet I’m not ready to surrender completely to the rural idyll.

After all, Mallorca is an island with an extraordinarily rich cultural history, having attracted a wealth of talent and creatives thanks to its inspirational landscapes, as well as nurturing remarkable homegrown talent in all fields from gastronomy to artisan ceramicists in the village of Pollensa.

And the beauty of The Lodge is its accessibility to the rest of the island. Just 10 minutes from some of Mallorca’s finest beaches like Playa de Muro as well galleries and artisan workshops. The young concierge can quickly set up a culinary journey through the island with a Michelin star lunch at nearby Fusion 19 by the spectacular Alcúdia Bay or arrange a private boat trip.

Among the most captivating excursions arranged by The Lodge is a visit to Finca Biniagual, a wine estate that feels like stepping into a time capsule. This 170-hectare property, lovingly restored by German entrepreneur Dr. Klaus Graf beginning in 1968, is centred around a “llogaret” – a small hamlet comprising 17 beautifully preserved traditional houses. 

The estate’s approach to viticulture exemplifies the same philosophy that guides The Lodge – respect for tradition combined with forward-thinking sustainability. Now organically certified, Biniagual’s vineyards produce wines that perfectly pair with Chef Maya’s fire-cooked cuisine back at The Lodge.

Other secrets of the island are shared with guests, including the remarkable Museo Sa Bassa Blanca (MSBB). After so many years delving deep into this amazing island, The Lodge was able to surprise and amaze me with a cultural experience that will always stay with me. Created by artists and collectors, Ben Jakober and Yannick Vu, and philanthropist Georges Coulon Karlweis, this place is unmissable – a remarkable collection of global art and artefacts that tell untold stories in a beautiful, eclectic and eccentric setting by the sea.

Wellbeing

The Lodge’s commitment to sustainability is evident throughout – 40% of energy consumption comes from solar power, 100% of irrigation uses regenerated water, and wellness facilities, including the wooden barrel sauna and Technogym fitness area, complement the natural surroundings.

What distinguishes this boutique retreat isn’t just its beautiful setting or luxury amenities, but how it embodies Mallorca’s essence through immersive experiences – from morning hikes and beekeeping to enjoying fire-cooked dishes beneath the stars. The Lodge Mallorca represents the sophisticated transformation of the island’s rural heritage into a contemporary luxury experience that still feels authentically Mallorcan.​​​​​​​​​​​