Occupying a 16th-century former palace in the heart of Palma’s old town, this chic hotel is centred around a pretty courtyard with stone columns, original balconies and a towering palm. I knew I was going to like it on arrival: check-in staff were outgoing and laid-back and within minutes I escaped the buzzy Calle Apuntadores and ascended the lift to the cool and tranquil ‘Grand Suite’.
With a big grin on my face, I walked from room to room — my gleeful smile growing with each one. Two bathrooms ticked the boxes — all marble walls, dinner-plate showerheads and Molton Brown toiletries. The living room flew the city’s cool flag with a huge, cosy, red sofa, cowskin rug and subtle design touches that had me snapping away to source back in the UK.
Elsewhere, the bedroom oozed style, from its whitewashed walls and wooden-beamed ceiling to its large pillowy bed and calming modern art. The pièce de résistance, however, was up a winding, wooden staircase — which I ran up like an excitable child — the terrace. As well as jaw-dropping views of the cathedral, this hidey-hole also came with sunbeds, towels and a Jacuzzi — slipping in here at sundown with a flute of fizz, I raised my glass to the stunning cathedral.
Breakfast is a revelation, too. Taken in the inner courtyard, it may be buffet, but it doesn’t stint on choice or quality. Fresh and warm pastries, fruit, eggs, cheese, cava — it’s all here. There’s nothing stuffy about it either — staff are happy for you to take your time and go back again and again. The fact it finished at 11am also earned the thumbs up.
It’s also worth popping up to the plunge pool — again with mindblowing views of the city. I’d expected it to be crammed full of bodies, but each time I padded over, it was completely empty and an envy-inducing haven to while away an afternoon.
The verdict: A beautifully designed bolthole with a foolproof formula of slick design, friendly staff, and fab food.
More info: Rooms from £174. Hotel Tres, Calle Apuntadores 3, 07012 Palma de Mallorca. hoteltres.com
