If you thought the Balearic island of Mallorca couldn’t get any more fabulous, think again. The team behind one of Palma de Mallorca’s chicest boutique boltholes has just opened a brand-new hotel. And this one is right on the beach.
El Vicenç de la Mar
Hotel El Vicenç de la Mar is like a Balearic dream come true. Overlooking a tiny bay on the northern coast of Mallorca, the hotel is set in the village of Sant Vicenç. This is a part of Mallorca defined by its aquamarine coves, crystal-clear waters that shift from azure to turquoise, and jagged cliffs, framed by the dramatic backdrop of the Tramuntana mountains.
If you enjoy the great outdoors, this is the perfect place to get into some spectacular hiking in the mountains, or picturesque cycling along the coastline. If you prefer to kick back on a plush lounger with a good book, sipping a glass of crisp, white Mallorcan Malvasía wine, El Vicenç also has you covered.
The rooftop terrace with sea views to die for.
About the hotel
El Vicenç has a total of 35 guest rooms, including four suites and one penthouse suite. The penthouse suite has a large private terrace and private pool, while the spacious privilege rooms share a swim-up pool. Junior suites have private outdoor hot tubs and signature rooms feature private terraces from which to gaze across the dramatic coastline. There is also a stunning rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, cocktail bar, restaurant and sea views to die for, as well as a library and a 24-seat cinema.
The hotel’s spa, the Ç Wellness Studio, features a 60-foot pool that connects the indoor and outdoor area of the spa. The gym is open 24 hours and equipped with the latest fitness technology.
Enjoy a freshly caught lunch at Santi Taura’s U Mayol seafood restaurant.
Chef Santi Taura
While staying at El Vicenç, don’t miss the opportunity to sample the mouth-watering concoctions of culinary whiz Santi Taura. Raised in Mallorca and widely regarded as one of the island’s top chefs, Taura heads up the gastronomic offering at sister hotel El Llorenç Parc de la Mar in Palma, where his superb DINS Santi Taura has been awarded a Michelin star.
The good news for anyone planning a stay at El Vicenç is that the ever-smiley Taura also oversees the menu and dining options at the new hotel’s two new Mallorcan-Mediterranean restaurants. U Mayol is a seafood bistro where you can enjoy a freshly caught lunch on the ground floor of the hotel, while Restaurant El Vicenç, an à la carte restaurant, serves dinners on the fourth-floor rooftop terrace (weather permitting).
Privilege rooms share a private swim-up pool.
Mallorca, a Mediterranean paradise
The largest of Spain’s Balearic islands, Mallorca is like a Mediterranean paradise, home to 262 beaches, close to 350 miles of coastline and countless olive orchards, vineyards and citrus farms. While most visitors head to the tourist-heavy beach resorts in the south of the island, the northern coast is quieter, wilder, and more rugged.
El Vicenç is set in what used to be a small hillside fishing village, making the area ideally suited to vigorous walks and hiking. Professional cyclists consider Mallorca one of the the best places to train in the winter and nearby Cap Formentor is home to one of the island’s most scenic cycling routes. Meanwhile, the lovely sandy cove of Sant Vicenç, less than 200 steps from the hotel, attracts beachgoers from all over the island.
Mallorca is famous for its turquoise Mediterranean waters.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular in the crystal-clear waters in these parts. Divers will find the remains of sunken ships from all eras—from the ancient Greeks to the 20th century. There are also some extraordinary caves, or hypogeum, that date back to Bronze age, while bird watchers will be fascinated by the amazing variety of local fauna.