LONG WEEKEND
Joanna Booth stays at the upmarket St Regis Mardavall, Majorca
The hotel is on its own stretch of uncrowded
beach, with views of the Mediterranean
Where: On the outskirts of Costa D’en
Blanes, a quiet resort seven miles west
of Palma and 13 miles from the airport.
What’s it like? Extremely luxurious.
The exterior mirrors the southern
Mediterranean architectural look with
arched porticos and tiled roofs. Inside,
it’s understated but plush, with a
stunning, white-washed, full-height
atrium housing the reception. The
dark wooden beams belie the hotel’s
age – it was purpose-built only seven
years ago, for the opening in 2002,
though it feels as grand and solid as a
conversion of a much older building.
Under the covers: Previously a
Luxury Collection hotel, the
Mardavall was given a surface
makeover and rebranded as a St Regis
in December 2007, to distinguish it
from the other two Luxury Collection
hotels nearby. It’s only the third St
Regis hotel to open in Europe, after
14 | TWLuxury | March 2009
one in London and one in Rome.
Eat: The large Aqua brasserie serves
breakfast, lunch and dinner, with
indoor seating and a terrace area so
you can eat in the fresh air. The Sa
Badia pool bar serves snacks all day so
you don’t have to move from your
lounger, but the jewel in the crown is
without doubt Es Fum, the gourmet
restaurant open only for dinner,
serving the cream of Mediterranean
cuisine.
Sleep: We stayed in a junior suite – a
vast, cream-coloured space with ankledeep
carpets and curtains so heavy
and thick it was a relief you could
control them with a switch. Everything
in the suite – comprising a bedroom,
adjoining sitting area and balcony, and
a large slate and marble bathroom – is
controlled by electronics, from a panel
by the bed, for the ultimate in laziness.
Of the 133 rooms, 80 are junior suites,
and there are nine other one and
two-bedroom suites, including the
Diamond Suite, which has its own
Jacuzzi on the terrace and
personal sauna.
Nearby: Venture beyond the pool, and
the beach at the foot of the hotel
grounds, and take a taxi into Palma.
It’s a beautiful and accessible city,
perfect for leisurely wandering
through the winding streets or along
the harbour walls. The Gothic
cathedral is imposing and the modern
art museum, built into an ancient fort,
has a beautiful terrace bar for
sundowners.
Sell it to: Deep-pocketed, sun-seeking
families and couples in summer, and
for ultimate pampering weekends
away the rest of the year – there’s a
massive spa, and visitors can use
the golf courses at both nearby
Luxury Collection hotels, Castello
Son Vida and Arabella Sheraton.
We like: The signature spa is
exquisite, from the huge and varied
range of treatments through to the
myriad pools and steam rooms, lined
with mammoth fl uffy towels and robes
at every turn. A particular highlight
were the specially designed waterbed
sun loungers – a whole new level in
comfort.
We don’t like: The alfresco breakfasts
were extensive and delicious, but we
did feel that the presence of a falconer
plus bird of prey to scare the sparrows
away might have been overkill –
though at least it meant your toast
was safe.
Sample product: Seasons in Style
offers seven-nights in June from
£1,895 for a Deluxe Garden View
room, including fl ights from London
and transfers.
( 01244 202000 8 seasonsinstyle.com
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