It’s a challenging balancing act to master, yet Hilton’s historic Sa Torre Resort, on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca, pulls it off well; it caters with flair for a diverse clientele. During my stay I shared the resort with couples enjoying a romantic retreat; multi-generational families on holiday together; as well as corporate guests using the conference facilities – reports Andrew Forbes.
The style of the hotel certainly helps – this aristocratic 14th-century estate has plenty of Mallorcan romantic charm; the guest rooms and suites pay attention to the details that count for luxury travellers; the sporting and pool facilities must make it a hit with families and active guests; and there’s a convention centre tucked away on the estate too.
However, in my experience, it is the staff that make the Sa Torre a memorable and special resort destination. What’s more this Hilton Hotels & Resorts property holds plenty of pleasant surprises for guests.
Location
With one of Spain’s largest airports, Mallorca is exceptionally well served with international air bridges. Getting to the island is easier than ever, and once through the airport formalities, it takes less than half an hour to drive to Sa Torre, in the countryside south east of Palma de Mallorca.
The island’s capital is easily reached for those wanting a fix of old world charm, and the culture of museums, galleries and the appeal of the city’s bars and restaurants.
The island is not hard to navigate with both faster main roads and winding mountain lanes that will take you through historic villages and unspoilt countryside. With the hotel as my base, I enjoyed discovering the beaches, coves and UNESCO protected Tramontana Mountains of Mallorca with my rental car.
Style & Ambiance
The resort is part of the Hilton family of hotels; the umbrella group that covers almost a dozen brands such as the iconic ‘Waldorf Astoria’; the diverse ‘Hilton Hotels & Resorts’; as well as the recently launched ‘tru’ hotels.
Yet when considering this island retreat, cast aside any assumptions you may have about Hilton. The first surprise when you arrive at Sa Torre is its visual impact. It’s a beautiful, classic Mallorcan estate. When one stays at the resort one realises it has a strong, individual identity, built not just on the property’s historic buildings, including the sandstone manor house, the neo-gothic chapel, and the landmark windmill – but also on the cohesive and friendly team.
From check-in to check-out I felt welcome, and experienced natural, friendly, unpretentious yet professional service from the staff – the type of experience that makes a hotel really stand out.
The overall look & feel balances the nobble elements of the estate with the international standards of Hilton, together with a local flavour.
Arrival & Check-in
Before arrival my reservation was reconfirmed by email, and I was invited to further personalise my stay with any special requests. The property also engaged with me on social media.
At check-in, as well as a welcoming glass of cava, I was provided with a free internet pass for multiple devices, a map of the property and offered a tour showing the location of the main facilities, including the spa with water and thermal zones; gym; family pool; quiet-zone pool for adults; running trail, restaurants, bar etc.
I arrived in the evening, and check-in was facilitated swiftly and I was taken to my suite within the main Sa Torre manor house.
The Suite
I was staying in the Manor Suite in the original property. Here came my next surprise – the suite was stunning. Far from a being generic accommodation, this was a beautiful space, with lots of classic and romantic features. The architecture of the ancient manor house lends plenty of style and character to the large suite, and the stone arches provide natural divisions between the living area and the sleeping area.
Laid out on the antique dining table was my surprise welcome amenity – the kitchen of chef Paulo Vaz had prepared a wonderful selection of local and international cheeses, together with gourmet jamón ibérico, presented with flair – and accompanied with an excellent red wine.
With my late arrival, it was the perfect way to start my stay and settle into my extravagant surroundings.
Sa Torre’s guest accommodation is divided between the main manor house, which offers period character features with some stunning suites; and the contemporary additions to the estate, the garden rooms and suites that each offer modern styling, a private terrace as well as landscaped garden areas with easy access to the estate’s two swimming pools.
My Manor suite was some 90 square metres and was furnished to make it feel luxurious yet homey. Thoughtful touches included hardback books, decorative details, and art in the living area; whilst the sleeping area, perfectly framed by stone arches, had a romantic, contemporary canopy four poster bed, with high quality white linens and modern, sheer curtains. Lovely details included a small lavender bag left on the pillow. Smart design ideas included flexible reading lights, and plug sockets above the night stand, making them easily accessible; so no crawling on the floor to plug-in the iPhone.
Bathroom
The bathroom had plenty of luxe features, such as the spa bath and the large shower, generous shower amenities, a bath tablet, and grooming products; but there were also additional details that really count, such a large hearted towel rail. (Towels are replaced at turndown if requested).
Additional features of the room were fast, reliable internet; an iron and board in the wardrobe; and tea and coffee making facilities including complimentary mineral water (I was advised that Nespresso machines are planned in the suites).
Dining
In addition to the hotel’s catering offering for corporate guests in the resort’s adjacent conference centre, the Sa Torre Resort has three main restaurants; the gourmet Arxiduc Restaurant, the informal Sa Claustra bar, and the seasonal Pool Bar with pizza oven etc.
Breakfast
This is served buffet style with additional a la carte menu in the Arxiduc Restaurant, and can also be taken in the adjacent Sa Claustra bar, the courtyard terrace or on the restaurant terrace.
Despite visiting in March, the Mallorcan sunshine afforded me a leisurely al fresco breakfast on the terrace. Oh, and yes, another surprise here; the team discovered it was my birthday, so the chef thought I should start my day in style with a mimosa and also some homemade fruit puree mousses and panna cotta served with homemade meringue – a stylish, thoughtful touch.
Lunch
This can also be enjoyed in the Arxiduc Restaurant but like most guests I ordered from the lunch and tapas menu in the Claustra bar. Picnics are also offered if you want to spend the day exploring the island or on the beach.
Dinner
Chef Paulo Vaz has recently joined to head the kitchen at Hotel Sa Torre Mallorca and he helped with more surprises by creating a truly notable tasting menu.
The memorable evening kicked off with glasses of cava and the very striking first plate of sea urchin with prawn.
The cod ceviche with plankton ice delivered wonderfully subtle favours.
(My iPhone captures in the candle lit restaurant don’t really do the dishes justice).
The pasta course of ravioli was served perfectly ‘al dente’, (looking very photogenic) and gave plenty of flavour with the purple potato, cured ham and the accompanying duck jus.
The main fish plate was turbot with rabo de toro, and the main meat dish was lamb with caramelised garlic.
An excellent menu and very much unexpected!
Rest of the Hotel
The Manor House offers plenty of quiet corners to relax, from the drawing rooms, to the library. The grounds are huge and offer gardens, pools and shaded paths. For the more active there are tennis courts, a running track and a gym.
Pure Spa
I however decided to a take a leisurely approach to exploring the rest of the hotel and opted for a massage. The treatment rooms are well insulated and the massage was excellent – my therapist was well trained in not only spa protocol but clearly was an expert in massage.
Chapel
The now deconsecrated neo-gothic chapel, built and used by the former aristocratic family that once owned the estate, is available for private events, blessings and photo shoots.
Conference Centre
conference centre and adjacent stables that have been converted into meetings rooms are far enough away from the main hotel that as a guest one is not usually aware that a corporate event is on-going.
With these facilities, and the spa too, it’s probably no surprise that Hotel Sa Torre Mallorca is a popular wedding venue.
Mallorca’s position as one of Europe’s best island destinations is consistently reinforced through reviews and visitor feedback. The island has strengthened its luxury offering with upscale Palma de Mallorca boutique accommodation, sophisticated rural hotels and beautiful resorts.
The Balearic Islands are a real favourite of mine and I highly recommend you discover Mallorca again and include the Sa Torre Mallorca Resort in your itinerary.
Rates
A standard double room is from 150 GB pounds / 190 Euro including buffet breakfast for two.
The Manor Suite featured here is from 480 GB pounds / 650 Euro with breakfast.
