Cap Rocat, Mallorca

Pros

• You'll stay in a renovated 19th-century fortress, which feels hidden within the sandstone of the area's sea cliffs. 
• The spacious suites include private terraces, most with plunge pools and sea views. 
• There are two on-site eateries, one offering innovative tasting menus and the other slightly more casual with outdoor seating and traditional grilled seafood. 
• The staff is happy to arrange private dinners outside, perfect for a little romance as you sit under the stars in candlelight. 
• The spa, built into the limestone at the lowest point of the fortress, features massages, a saltwater pool, and a water circuit. 
• Though secluded, the hotel isn't too far from a few area beaches and hiking paths—plus it offers a private "beach" with sand (though no direct water access).

Cons

• The hotel offers an exceptional stay but is very expensive and won't fit everyone's budget.
• If you're traveling to Mallorca for the action, keep in mind that the hotel is very secluded and away from other eateries, towns, and nightlife. 
• The property closes from mid-November through mid-March each year.

Additional Notes From Ash 

Can you be mesmerized by a hotel? I arrived in the evening, so I entered the grounds by walking over the moat (lit with torches) and through the gatehouse. This welcome sets up the entire property; everything feels historic yet elegant. Every room was idyllic, but I particularly fell in love with the clifftop Sentinel unit. I would never leave that room! 

Authenticity

Cap Rocat began as a 19th-century fortified citadel, originally built to guard the Port of Palma. Because it was meant for defense, the buildings were carved right into the sandstone, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Mallorcan architect Antonio Obrador's vision of turning the fortress into a luxury hotel took 10 years to achieve, and the award-winning result preserves the structure's evocative battlements, watchtowers, and courtyards while elevating the spaces to 5-star standards. Indoors, you'll find organic materials like marble floors, raw stone walls, timber beams, and linen textiles, while the many outdoor terraces and patios are softened with native plants and tranquil fountains. 

Location

You'll stay hidden on a small outcrop southeast of Palma atop the sea cliffs overlooking the bay. The surrounding 74-acre (30 ha) nature reserve is a designated Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA), and the 1.2 miles (2 km) of protected coastline forms part of the Palma Bay Marine Reserve. The hotel feels completely isolated, and though you might not want to leave its serenity, just a 20-minute drive takes you to the center of Palma. You'll also be just 10 minutes from the popular Cala Vella hiking area and five minutes from the coves and beaches in Cala Blava.

Rooms & Bathrooms

Each of Cap Rocat's 32 units is unique, but all are remarkably spacious, with vaulted ceilings, stone flooring, private terraces, and big, comfy beds. To elevate your experience, book one of the Suites, which add perks like seating areas, private two-story terraces with sea views, and personal pools. Sentinel units are the highest room tier, described as "secret corners." You'll get a separate bedroom, a hidden entrance, and a terrace built into the rocks—complete with a private pool overlooking the sea. Bathrooms are opulent, with double vanities, walk-in rain showers, deep freestanding baths, and a generous selection of handcrafted, organic toiletries made with Mallorcan botanicals.

Amenities

Descend into the subterranean limestone spa to enjoy the hammam, saltwater pool, and treatments like massages and body scrubs, both traditional and Ayurvedic. There's also an outdoor saltwater infinity pool overlooking the sea, surrounded by a garden with loungers and a poolside bar, as well as a private sandy beach. You can choose from two restaurants: one serves haute cuisine in a grand dining room or on the torchlit terrace, while the other offers more casual al fresco Mediterranean fare. Breakfast baskets are delivered quietly to your room each morning, and you can join yoga or Pilates classes, grab one of the free cruiser bikes, practice your backhand on the clay tennis court, or escape the sun in the library or cinema.

Family-Friendliness

The hotel only allows guests aged 15 or older, as the unique location may be a safety risk for younger children. The rooms only accommodate two people, so families must book multiple rooms.

Sustainability

Surrounded by a protected nature reserve and protected coastline, it's unsurprising that Cap Rocat takes its environmental footprint seriously. The hotel is fully powered by renewable energy sources, a large portion of its water consumption is supplied by a desalination program, and the golf carts that whisk guests between locations are fully electric. Fountains are stocked with recirculated rainwater to provide safe drinking water for the cape's diverse birdlife, and the hotel works with local beekeepers to help pollinate the native plants and provide honey for the kitchens.