Grand Hotel Son Net, Mallorca
Opened in 1998, this majestic hotel in Mallorca, residing in an ancient mansion, is one of the oldest properties in Mallorca predating the Roman invasion. It was owned by the Bishop of Barcelona in the 13th century, such was the prestige of this small palace. Located just a 15-minute drive from Palma and set against the stunning Galtazo mountains, it overlooks the quaint village of Puigpunyent, providing a real sense of remote tranquility.
Grand Hotel Son Net
GALLIVANTER’S RATING
Originally owned by US entrepreneur David Stein, the mansion was acquired by building magnate Javier Lopez Granados, owner of the renowned Finca Cortesin near Marbella. The hotel underwent an extensive renovation, completed in May 2023, preserving its 17th-century Baroque Mediterranean architecture while infusing it with modern luxuries. Lorenzo Castillo’s sumptuous interior redesign combines Renaissance and Baroque styles with traditional Spanish colors, reflecting Mallorca’s historical elegance. The previous owner’s contemporary art collection, which included works by Chagall, Warhol, and Hockney, has made way for an eclectic mix of art and antiques from the current owners’ collection, alongside lavish Gastón y Daniela fabrics, eye-catching wallpapers, bold colours and prints, restored four-poster beds, and marquetry chests.
Upon arrival, I experienced a brief hiccup due to the absence of a door attendant, as other guests had just arrived minutes before me. This issue was promptly addressed by Lisbeth, a welcoming staff member, who escorted me to one of the hotel’s salons for champagne and tapas, efficiently managing my registration.
The hotel features 31 rooms and suites, each uniquely decorated with amenities like freshly cut flowers, textured wallpapers, theatrical drapes, De Witte Lietaer bathrobes, and Bassols bed linens. The minibars are stocked with high-quality treats such as Simón Call and Amatler chocolates, complemented by a large welcome fruit basket. The marble bathrooms boast heated floors, towel racks, and Quercus products in large dispensers. QR codes in Spain continue to be the norm for room service menus which I find annoying, though the Bar and the restaurants offered Ipads or the simplicity of a paper menu.
The Galilea Junior Suites on the second floor offer spacious layouts under wooden beams, with elegant bathrooms featuring deep tubs and separate showers, as well as pool views. Suite #33 impresses with its small foyer and large bathroom. Suites #31 and #32 have a connecting entrance foyer, ideal for families or groups.
The Grand Son Net Suite, my personal favourite, is a bright 150 sqm space with a stunning marble bathroom overlooking the valley, carved wooden ceilings, and an arched covered terrace with breathtaking mountain views. The massive bedroom, with two queen-size beds and a large antique fireplace, also looks inwards to a pretty internal courtyard.
For guests desiring outdoor space, the first-floor Grand Jaime III Suite near the entrance of the Palace boasts a 70 sqm terrace and a splendid bathroom.
Even an entry-level 35 sqm Palace Terrace Room, such as #24. is beautifully designed, featuring a small sitting area and opening onto a split-level terrace furnished with loungers and a sunshade. Two of these rooms interconnect, while three offer garden views. The secluded 100 sqm two-bedroom Pool Cottage House includes a garden and private pool. The 45 sqm Pool Cottage Suites each feature a 30 sqm garden leading to semi-private pools.
The hotel’s atmospheric bar, a haven of dark green velvet, quickly became a favourite spot of mine for an Illy coffee or cocktails. The adjacent fireplaced Lounge, opening onto a covered terrace and the gardens, is just the perfect spot for light lunches under a pergola.
The hotel boasts an impressively designed 30m long seawater pool, lined with supremely stylish covered cabanas and featuring a lower terraced jacuzzi that affords mesmerizing mountain views
Dining at Mar & Duix, led by Chef Sergio Olmeda, is a gastronomic delight. The soaring galleried dining room, adorned with an olive press, tapestry, and wine cellar, opens onto a vast terrace. The menu, deceptively traditional, surprises with light and inventive fare, all served on beautiful Dibbern bone china tableware. I was really pleased with my choice, which included a salt-roasted beetroot tartare, followed by deer loin with salsify, and culminating in a feather-light tarte tatin. The wine list is extensive, and the hotel also produces its own Malvasia wine. The breakfast menu features fluffy organic scrambled eggs, high-quality pastries, and Balearic specialties like Mahón cheese tortilla with Sobrassada sausage.
In the summer months, you also have the option to eat at the shaded poolside Gazebo restaurant which serves grilled meats, fish, and seafood from a Josper oven, together with an array of pasta and salads.
The hotel boasts an impressively designed 30m long seawater pool, lined with supremely stylish covered cabanas and featuring a lower terraced jacuzzi that affords mesmerizing mountain views. Additionally, there is an upcoming 1000 sqm spa, set to open this Spring and which will include five treatment rooms, a heated indoor pool, a Technogym health club, and a thermal circuit. Unfortunately, it is likely that the spa will feature the same line of products used at Finca Cortesin, namely Biologique Recherche.
Service throughout the hotel is excellent, featuring swift delivery of a dental kit to my room, professional bartenders, and immaculate housekeeping. Many staff members, including German General Manager Katrin Cetin, were retained from before, complemented by some from Finca Cortesin and new hires. While the new hires were at times hesitant, they displayed the correct attitude at all times, which is what matters.
This splendidly renovated property, with its gorgeous suites in an incredibly beautiful setting is perfect for a long weekend in Mallorca.
