Torre de Canyamel Group: A hotel group with a difference in the heart of the Balearic islands
Text: Eddi Fiegel | Photos: Torre De Canyamel
With its blissfully sandy beaches and artfully rugged coastline, Mallorca has long been renowned as one of the most beautiful of the Balearic islands. A favourite with A-listers from Michelle Obama and the Spanish Royal Family to native Rafa Nadal, Richard Branson, James Blunt and ABBA, the island is also home to some exceptionally beautiful hotels, none more so than those belonging to the family-run Torre de Canyamel Group.
“What makes our hotels different,” begins Carol Cardero, director of marketing for the Torre de Canyamel Group, “is that we have exceptional locations and we are also a family-run, Mallorcan group, so we are deeply connected to the land and the traditions of the island, using locally sourced and home-grown produce. We pride ourselves on our gastronomy and our hotels are home to some of the best restaurants in Mallorca. There’s also a sense of individuality about our hotels. They were all originally homes owned by the family and we believe in making sure that our guests still get that same feeling of being at home, whilst enjoying modern day comfort and luxury.”
The Hotels
The 26 room five-star, adults-only, Can Simoneta boutique hotel, on the island’s north-eastern coast, was the first hotel to be opened by the group in 2004 and sits high atop cliffs with wonderful views of the Bay of Canyamel. There’s direct access to the pine-fringed Canyamel beach, a fine dining restaurant and a wellness centre with hammam, sauna and treatment rooms.
The similarly exclusive, five-star Fontsanta Hotel in Campos in the south of Mallorca, was opened in 2011. The hotel has a stunning location in the midst of the Es Trenc National Park, just five kilometres from Es Tranc’s beautiful naturist beach (to which the hotel provides guests with a private transfer).
However, the hotel’s star feature is its thermal spa – the only spa of its kind in the Balearics. The mineral-rich waters (which naturally reach around 37 degrees), have been used therapeutically since Roman times and hotel guests can now enjoy them in the form of a large thermal pool, double or single individual thermal baths and a thermal Jacuzzi. You’ll also find an ice fountain, hot and cold showers, sauna and hammam as well as treatment rooms. Elsewhere, the hotel also features two large outdoor swimming pools amidst the landscaped gardens.
In 2014, the group opened the 27-room boutique hotel Convent de la Missió in what was, as the name suggests, originally a convent in the heart of Palma’s historic Old Town. With its elegant, streamlined, contemporary décor, the hotel also features a sauna and indoor pool in the basement, as well as a solarium and a small gym. For drinks, there’s the stylish ‘Art Bar’, which regularly hosts exhibitions by top local artists, whilst the Michelin-starred restaurant Marc Fosh is a foodie destination in its own right.
The newest addition to the group – the 30 suite Pleta de Mar is a five-star Grand Luxe deluxe hotel, facing the sea just 200 metres from Can Simoneta. With two infinity pools, a restaurant and spa set amidst Mediterranean gardens and woodland and private access to the beach, the hotel is a genuine haven from the stresses of modern life.
History & Culture
The group takes its name from the 13th-century tower in the small village of Canyamel, where they hold concerts and cultural events. With a memorable stage setting amidst the grounds of the tower, artists range from star Spanish singers Luz Casal and Maria del Mar Bonet to classical Russian pianist Arcadi Volodos. The group also stages exhibitions by prominent local artists at its hotels.
Gastronomy
There are six restaurants within the Torre de Canyamel group and guests at the hotels receive preferential bookings at all of them.
The flagship restaurant Porxada de Sa Torre is just a few metres from Torre de Canyamel and first opened its doors some 70 years ago. The restaurant is renowned across the island for its traditional Mallorquin cuisine and in particular its ‘porcella’ aka suckling pig, using pigs raised on their own farm surrounding the restaurant.
Elsewhere, there is top-class fine dining at Cal Simoneta, Restaurant Marc Fosh and Restaurant Fontsanta, whilst the elegant beachfront Arenal de Canyamel serves up quality, fresh grilled fish and light snacks.
The group also produces its own olive oil at Can Simoneta and fruit and vegetables from the orchards at Pleta de Mar.
“We really understand the land and the gastronomic traditions of our island,” concludes Cardero, “and we’re working hard to preserve those both sustainably and culturally. Our guests understand that and that’s why they return, again and again.”
Room prices across the four hotels range from €450 to €2,300 www.torredecanyamel.com
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