One of the beautiful discoveries of the year is the Castillo Son Vida in Palma de Mallorca. We discovered this hotel by chance. Every week starwood offers 3 day hot escapes, in other words 3 days where certain hotels are available with discounts of around 20%, sometimes more sometimes less, for a stay within 6 weeks. At the end of 2015 it was a great promo concerning a large quantity of hotels available over 6 weeks that was put online. So we’ve done our shopping for the first quarter of 2016.
Among these hotels, the Castillo Son Vida. A luxury collection category 5 in other words…expensive. Special offer and low season helping, we booked it for about 80 euros for a stay in January after the holidays. An excellent idea to go and rest after this busy period, especially since even though January in Palma is off season…it is still 20/25° during the day. And so here we are, a little curious but without any preconceived ideas.
Get used to travelling off-season
Before getting to the heart of the matter, here is a piece of advice drawn from our experience that this stay has further reinforced: dare to travel off-season. We have heard many people say “but Palma is not the place to go in January”. Well, in January you get spring-like weather, a room at 25% of its normal price (about 400 euros the rest of the year) and great chances to be upgraded if you are members of the loyalty program. And it did not fail.
Castillo Son Vida: a peaceful retreat off the beachfront
We had asked the hotel to organize the transfer from the airport. The hotel is inland, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist area in high season and can be reached in 20 minutes from the airport.
The hotel is inland, away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist area in high season and can be reached in 20 minutes from the airport.
As expected the hotel is almost empty. At most 30 clients. For nearly 200 staff members we will be told. With two concrete consequences:
- a high level of service and availability at all times. No doubt that even in “normal” periods the quality of service is high but in this case we have reached new heights
- an upgrade to a superior room for me and a suite for Olivier (and yes…status differences play a role).
While leading us to our room we are given a quick tour of the premises.
The hotel is, as its name suggests, an old small castle composed of an old historical wing and a more modern one.
It overlooks the island and is surrounded by a golf course. We will stay in the historical wing which has kept all its charm of yesteryear.
I’m always a little skeptical about old hotels, which often confuse preserving their identity with looking dusty. Nothing like that here. Skillful combination of the old and the new. Nothing looks out of place or outdated.
Deluxe room and suite
I take possession of my room. The rooms and bathrooms are very spacious for an old hotel. The bathroom even offers both bath and shower.
To finish, the now usual visit in video.
And as a bonus gift, for space lovers, the suite in which Olivier was upgraded. Bottle of champagne waiting in the room.
Castillo Son de Vida has three restaurants. The gastronomic restaurant being logically closed at this time of the year we will go to the “normal” restaurant.
A very high quality catering offer
If this restaurant is the “standard” restaurant of the hotel, I wonder how high the gastronomic level should be.
The food is delicious and the service simply perfect. At most, it will take some effort to find a good wine that doesn’t blow the budget because the food itself was quite affordable.
A faultless performance. Quant au cAs for the setting I let you appreciate.
Evening:
During the day because it is also where breakfast is served:
Let’s talk about breakfast. Spanish hotels have a tradition of excellent breakfast buffets, which is confirmed here. We are in a different style from our favorite breakfast at the Laguna Bali but in terms of quality we are very high with notably hams and cheeses of high level.
A very high quality breakfast
The buffet alone occupies two service rooms. A real treat.
As for the bar, it does not lack charm either.
A complete service offer
The Castillo son Vida, as we said, has a golf course. It also has two swimming pools, one of which is indoor, a gym, a spa and tennis courts.
Thanks to the mild climate, we will spend a lot of time walking outside or enjoying the view from the hotel’s terrace.
Conclusion: Castillo Son Vida, a nugget away from the hustle and bustle in Majorca
Of course we were in special circumstances but it seems obvious that even in high season the Castillo Son Vida will be a haven of peace compared to the atmosphere that will reign on the coast.
So whether in high or low season, if you want to enjoy the sun of the Balearic Islands in a peaceful upscale setting, this is an address that we recommend and to which we will return.
And don’t forget, if you don’t want to pay the full price during the season (about 300 euros) wait for the winter promotions which will certainly be renewed.
The complete photo album is here.