Glamorous Palma Weekend at Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden

The Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden boutique hotel, currently on its way to becoming the most prestigious five-star in Palma, only opened its doors in the city’s historic center in late December 2018. Thanks to its many great features, starting with the superb 750 m² garden and heated pool, this haven of peace swept me right off my feet! We spent two nights at this splendid 16th-century residence, the perfect place to discover Palma and begin our trip through Mallorca!

Centrally Located, but with a Superb Garden and Pool!

Located in a narrow street behind a large door that opens onto a modest courtyard, the Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden boutique hotel is certainly discreet; it’s hard to imagine that you’re entering the luxury hotel with the most extensive gardens in all of historic Palma! With no less than 750 m², the garden features blossoming plants and olive trees, creating a veritable green cocoon that attracts guests at all times of day. We took advantage of it at various moments, be it at breakfast, lunch, or dinner time. The heated pool invites guests to take a swim even in spring or fall thanks to the mild temperatures of the Balearic Islands, though unfortunately for us it was still a bit too cold when we were there in late March. The rooftop offers a different ambience: the gorgeous panoramic view over the rooftops of the old city make it a unique setting, as does the small, glass-bottomed pool, positioned over the staircase to bring more light into the building.

Discovering Palma on Foot

This lovely, elegant residence offers the perfect location for discovering Palma for a few days; it’s super central, located just a short walk from the best shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions, such as the famous La Seu cathedral. We saw the old city entirely on foot, relishing the chance to get lost in its narrow streets!

Home-Style Service

This 16th-century dwelling, rehabilitated as a luxury boutique hotel by the architecture company OHLAB, has watched the centuries pass by, and even became a convent for a while. Here, past meets present thanks to an avant-garde design combined with antique artworks from around the world. Starting with check-in, we were intrigued by the hotel’s style, both in terms of the décor and ambience as well as the “home-style” service, which made us feel like we were part of a big family.

We were greeted in the comfort of one of the salons, where large portraits, Chesterfield sofas, and mismatched chairs (not to mention the ivy growing inside the building) made for a unique, surprising look. The young, dynamic team welcomed us in a warm, professional manner, helping us feel immediately at home, and they paid particular attention to detail while anticipating our every need. The “lady of the house,” named Klementyna, is an energetic and professional young woman who paid careful attention to detail throughout our entire stay!

24 Suites with Unique Style

The 24 suites, which include five categories starting with “The Traveler” at 30 m², display a unique, original ambience with several design elements. During the renovation, the architect was careful to make the premises look as authentic as possible, recreating the same parquet floors and intentionally putting cracks in the walls to bring an age-old feel to the residence. We stayed in the biggest room, called the Grand Suite, which was an absolute marvel: large, antique windows overlooking the garden, high ceilings, a fireplace, silk curtains to separate the rooms, and vintage décor to enhance the suite’s beauty.

Our room offered top-of-the-range technology, including a mattress with adjustable firmness, a console playing old-school music (I absolutely loved the playlist!), and televisions integrated into the mirrors. This ultra-romantic suite, ideal for a getaway for two, also featured a bathroom with a gorgeous designer bathtub; here again, the past was combined with contemporary elements for incredible results. A true gem!

Trendy Cuisine at Botànic

At the restaurant Botànic, chef Andrés Benitez ambitiously combines haute cuisine with health food. This trendy concept shines through in the breakfast menu, which is gluten-free and without added sugars. The dining on offer includes local products like regional cheeses and cold cuts, as well as typical pastries from one of the best-known bakeries in all of Palma, located only a stone’s throw away. You can tell that the chef is looking to set himself apart using recipes that he revamps to suit his style: healthy bowls of fresh fruits, granola, and even chia seeds, but also every kind of egg dish, such as delicious poached eggs with Maltese sauce, smoked pork, hummus, and spinach.

During the day, the menu is light and inventive, while in the evening, it becomes more creative and refined, especially with the seven-course set menu. The recipes are inspired by Mallorca’s own traditions, while the flavors are enhanced by a wonderful array of wines. As for the setting, we had the pleasure of dining inside the library, which is absolutely enchanting thanks to its vintage décor and suspended bird cages. When the weather’s nice, guests are of course served dinner in the garden! The restaurant is very successful with local residents, bringing it a more authentic atmosphere.

Ultimate Luxury with a Private Spa

The Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden also features a small spa, where we spent several happy hours. We were able to reserve the wellness center and enjoy the benefits of the sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and horizontal shower, all just for us! There are also two treatment rooms for receiving facials and other treatments, using the Swiss Perfection brand.

The Verdict

The Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden only opened very recently, and yet it’s already making its way to the top of Palma’s best establishments. Hidden in the midst of the historic city’s narrow streets, this treasure has benefited from a superb renovation, bringing the character-filled building a unique and prestigious atmosphere. Its best features obviously include the gorgeous garden and heated pool, but the impeccable service and total privacy with only 24 rooms are really what set this hotel apart. It’s the latest urban hotel to make a splash, recently appearing in several luxury hospitality rankings, and it has all of the amenities necessary to become the very best in the city.

Its location in the heart of Palma: ideal for visiting the city, yet offering a huge garden and pool.
The beautiful renovation of the residence with its own unique style! I was truly enchanted!
Small hotel with a highly attentive and professional staff

The rooms only have single-paned windows (quite possibly to preserve the gorgeous wooden window frames, which I can of course understand) – however, I would imagine that it might get noisy during the high season!

Practical Information

More information on their website
Grand Suite starting at € 2000 per night in late March 2019

Thank you to Can Bordoy for the invitation to explore their establishment.Of course, the content of this blogpost was left entirely up to me!