La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca

Character and identity

Set above the village of Deià in two former stone manor houses on Mallorca's west coast, La Residencia is a 67-room property where the Tramuntana mountains meet the Mediterranean. The architecture is honest Mallorcan stone, layered into cantilevered terraces that step down the hillside through olive groves to pools and tennis courts with sea views. Deià's long artistic tradition runs through the place, expressed in an on-site art gallery and a sculpture garden. There's a spa, outdoor dining, and small rocky coves a short walk away. The register is intimate and unhurried rather than grand-hotel formal.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The setting does the heavy lifting here: few hotels in the Mediterranean match the combination of Tramuntana views, village atmosphere, and stonework on this scale. Spend the money if you value landscape and artistic context over beach-resort convenience. Book a room with sea views in the upper manor house, and aim for late spring or September for the best light and temperatures.