Think five star luxury and more, and you’ll get the idea. Located in one of the oldest parts of the city, this hotel was designed with the sophisticated traveller in mind.
Sant Francesc Hotel Singular, Palma de Mallorca: The Review…
Cool in summer, warm and cosy in winter, sophisticated, yet calm and relaxed…
Mallorca Reflections Rating: Outstanding*
KEY INFO:
Open all year round
42 rooms and 10 suites
Restored 19th century manor house in the city’s old town
Private rooftop terrace with swimming pool
Less than 10 km from the airport, €15-20 in a taxi
Many of Palma’s attractions are within a 5 minute stroll
Free Wi-Fi throughout + Smart TV’s in all bedrooms and suites
PRIME LOCATION
Sant Francesc Hotel Singular is situated in one of the oldest parts of the city of Palma de Mallorca. This area’s original Arab layout still exists today with it’s narrow streets and traces of a city once known as Madina Mayurqa. Directly opposite the hotel is Sant Francesc Basilica with its delightful cloisters.
Major sights such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, known locally as La Seu, the Almudaina Palace and the Arab baths are just a few minutes walk away.
Tip: Check out the Sant Francesc Basilica and Cloister right opposite the hotel (Entrance fee 5 €)
ART, DECORATION & DESIGN
This Neoclassical mansion dates back to 1860 and boasts many features characteristic of that time in Palma de Mallorca: Large entrance doors, sandstone arches and a marble staircase. There is also a paved inner courtyard, well, stables, watchtower and even a dovecote. On completion of the renovation work, the well became the gym, the tower became a very special guest suite and the stables morphed into the Quadrat Restaurant.
The architect Tolo Cursach oversaw the restoration and refurbishment adhering to the owners wishes of respecting the existing structure and highlighting the beauty and legacy of the building. Local craftsman and artisans were used to work on many of the original features including the wooden beams, the frescoed and moulded ceilings as well as the covered verandas.
The interior design masterclass by María-José Cabré, features natural light, local Santanyi stone and French oak.
The hotel’s contemporary art collection features original works, especially chosen for particular rooms and communal spaces, by a number of renowned artists including Guillem Nadal, Riera i Aragó, Dominica Sánchez, and Jordi Alcaráz. Furnishings include pieces by well known designers such as Antonio Citterio and Philippe Starck. Completing the ‘look’ are a series of spell binding images adorning the corridors by the local Mallorcan photographer Bárbara Vidal who has managed to capture the essence of the building and it’s history prior to the restoration.
This is a truly elegantly designed hotel, fusing the old with the new. perfectly encapsulated in the Yves Sant Laurent quotation in our room: “Fashions fade, style is eternal”.
ROOMS & SUITES
Each of the 42 imaginatively styled rooms and suites is unique in design. There are ten suites in all, eight junior and two sumptuous larger suites, the top floor ‘La Torre’ with private and panoramic terrace and the ‘Sant Francesc’ with two private balconies, high original moldings and restored ceiling frescoes.
The décor is modern and sophisticated with dark French oak floors and a soothing palette of cream, grey and beige. The king-sized beds are fitted with luxury linen and the bathrooms have deluxe towels, all made by Bassols in Barcelona, linen producers since 1790.
All rooms have walk-in showers, fourteen have bathtubs whilst some some have balconies and verandas overlooking Plaça Sant Francesc or the garden of the hotel.
The bathrooms feature all the necessary extras: hairdryer, flat iron, bathrobes, slippers and luxury bathroom amenities by Heeley. The La Torre and Sant Francesc Suites feature a complimentary perfume bar also by Heeley.
There is plenty of high-tech gadgetry too (flat-screen TV’s with digital channels, media mini hubs, Wi-Fi), Nespresso coffee machines, air-conditioning and well-stocked gourmet minibars.
Then there are those little extra touches that make all the difference, a daily news sheet, quilted hangers for delicate clothes, a waterproof bag for wet swimsuits and there is also a lovely surprise in store for guests with the charming turn-down service. (No, we won’t tell!) Kettles and tea are available on request.
Two Tips: 1) Deluxe Room 106 is lovely overlooking the inner patio (2) Spoil yourself or significant other – book the La Torre Suite with it’s own top floor private terrace and panoramic views.
QUADRAT RESTAURANT, ROOFTOP LOUNGE BAR & LOBBY BAR
There is a good choice at this hotel when it comes to cuisine. The formal main restaurant, Quadrat offers the possibility to eat inside in the former stables or alfresco in the delightful, peaceful garden.
The Quadrat restaurant is home to executive Chef Alfonso Lillo, (‘Fonsi’), and his team who offer contemporary Mediterranean cuisine with a twist.
The intimate and elegant decor creates a calm and peaceful environment whilst there is the added bonus of dining alfresco, almost all year round. The verdant and lush Mediterranean style garden creates a wonderful exterior dining terrace.
At lunchtime during the week Chef Fonsi’s menu of the day is always great value at €23.50. Changed every week, Autumn/Winter starters include Quinoa salad with confit mushrooms, sweet goat’s cheese and beetroot, followed by Salmon with crunchy pecan nuts and miso, cauliflower and potato. The finishing touch, Amaretto pear crumble with rum and vanilla cream.
“El Domingo de los Arroces” is the special Sunday menu which offers tapas to share and three different rice dishes.
In the evening, the Autumn/Winter à la carte menu includes starters of pickled pear and ricotta laminated ravioli with hazelnut and truffle sauce, followed by Aberdeen sirloin steak, shiitake mushrooms, salsify and cream of spelt soup. And just to tempt you, pineapple ceviche, dry cardamom meringue, white chocolate and black tea ice cream.
Or you can try the six course tasting menu at €65. Here Chef Fonsi pulls out all the stops, including Peking duck dim sum with confit shiitake mushrooms and beef tenderloin with mashed carrot and lemon grass, yuzu “chimichurri” and grilled yucca.
A comprehensive international wine list includes ten local wines in the selection of twenty one white wines (from €21 – 48) and a tremendous selection of thirty three red wines (from €23 – 102), plus five rosés and of course a selection of the usual suspects, cavas, champagnes and sweet wines.
Tip: Don’t miss the theatrical ‘Dim Sum of Mallorcan Suckling Pig’ with a touch of liquid nitrogen in Quadrat!
At breakfast there is a beautiful prepared selection of local delicacies, breads, pastries and ensaïmadas as well as fruit juices, yogurts, cereals, salads, cold cuts, smoked salmon, and cheeses. Hot, individually prepared dishes including eggs, pancakes and crêpes are cooked to order.
Quadrat is open for breakfast between 07:00 – 11:00, for lunch between 13:00 – 15:30 and for dinner between 19:00 – 22:30.
ROOFTOP TERRACE, POOL & SUSHI BAR
Up on the panoramic rooftop terrace sits the lounge bar area adjacent to the thirty square metre pool and sundeck. Here you can take in the stunning views of the adjacent Sant Francesc Basilica, whilst enjoying tasty light meals throughout the day of sushi and other Mediterranean specialties. Enjoy the sun, take a quick dip and in the evening watch the sun set over the historic city of Palma of Mallorca.
The Rooftop sushi menu is available from May to October.
LOBBY BAR AND PATIO
The sumptuous lobby bar and Mallorcan patio on the ground floor are at the heart of the hotel. The patio is not only a great meeting point but somewhere to enjoy a quiet coffee, cocktail, or glass of wine watching the light and shade dance amongst the olive trees.
WELLNESS
Housed in the former water well, the hotel gym is open 24 hours a day and is equipped with the latest fitness technology by Technogym. A personal trainer and yoga sessions are available upon demand.
Nice touch: The hotel provides all of its guests with free earphones, towels and water.
You can also relax and be pampered in their stylish treatment booths with their extensive menu of treatments and massages.
……….
Sant Francesc Hotel Singular is a truly wonderful place to stay in the old town of Palma de Mallorca and close to everything you really need.
General Manager Miguel G. Feliz and his great team are five star hosts too.
We have absolutely no problem in recommending this sophisticated and extremely beautifully decorated hotel.
Address and contact details:
Hotel Sant Francesc Singular
Plaza Sant Francesc, No, 5
07001 Palma de Mallorca
Spain
Tel: 00 34 971 495 000
Email: info@hotelsantfrancesc.com
Disclaimer: Mallorca Reflections were invited by Hotel Sant Francesc Singular. All opinions are genuine, thoughts and tips are our own as are many of the photographs.
*Rating system: This is based on a simple premise: 10: Outstanding, 9: Excellent, 8: Very Good, 7: Good, 6: Better than average – 5 and below…..we’re not staying!
