When design industry bible Dezeen put The Lodge on its “Top 10 Hotels of 2023” list, it was no small honour. The Mallorca retreat developed by Único Hotels stands alongside such architecturally significant addresses as a former bank in Rome; David Lynch-inspired Blueberry Nights in Georgia; Christian Louboutin’s new Portuguese offering, and Berlin’s Château Royal.
At The Lodge, Único Hotels head of design Pilar García-Nieto – also responsible for Finca Serena in Montuïri, working alongside architect Sergi Bastidas – transformed the 500-year-old farmhouse into an earthy, refined sanctuary.
Located in the island’s north, close to the village of Campanet at the foot of the mountains, the 157-hectare estate is surrounded by some seriously pretty countryside. With just 24 rooms and a rural setting, the hotel offers peace and quiet, reflected in the calming interiors. Striking examples of retained original features include a tafona – traditional stone mill – in the lobby, and exposed stone walls throughout.
“Our greatest ally is the surrounding nature—the lavender fields, our routes through the Tramuntana directly from the hotel, or the carob fields,” says Dálmuri Castillo, a manager at Único Hotels. Mallorca has an abundance of grade-A hotels, but Castillo cites The Lodge’s location as one reason it stands out:
“We’re at the foot of the mountains, 10 minutes from the beach, and with easy access from Palma and the airport, allowing our customers to have the privacy they seek and to enjoy all our island has to offer.”
FAMILY VIBES
Clearly proud to be part of the latest notch on the Spanish hotel group’s small, exclusive belt, Castillo represents the positive feeling amongst his team. A dynamic, diverse mix of talent, those at the top of the Único Hotels management tree appear to have put extra thought into curating the staff. “Being a small hotel, we all feel like one big family and we strive to make our guests feel part of it.”
Now quite far down the road from the summer ’23 opening, what type of guest are they finding they attract? Typically, says the hotel insider, the type of customer who seeks to disconnect.
ALL FIRED UP
When the sun goes down over the glorious Mallorcan countryside thronging with all the scents and sensations of summer (the retreat is open from May to October), another treat beckons. Two Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa has put his exquisite stamp on the menu at the hotel’s Singular Restaurant, led by Mallorcan chef Mateo Garcias.
It’s all about la cocina del fuego – the art of cooking with fire. We can just smell and taste the goodness of local produce cooked on carob and oak wood, sharpened by fresh country air.
Text by Anna Mason
Address details
