Sustainably-focused Four Seasons Mallora opens on a working vineyard

In the heart of a vast private estate with carefully restored gardens, seaside woodlands, rugged cliffs and secret beaches, a former hideout for the glitterati has reemerged as a sustainable and soulful luxury holiday destination that retains its glam-chic charm.

Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor is a 40-hectare (100-acre) resort is set amid a large estate that also includes a working vineyard.

With sustainable practices at the core of the Resort’s restoration effort, all 110 guest rooms and suites have terraces facing the sea, and some also offer private plunge pools. The décor of both private and public spaces is bright and airy with natural materials throughout, evoking a seaside glamour that is both nostalgic and very modern.

In the surrounding landscape, native plantings of fragrant flowers are now growing among towering pine groves, allowing for walking paths, exotic garden settings for weddings and other events, and quiet spaces for solitary reflection.

A foodie's paradise

The culinary experience at Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor begins with multiple on-site dining options overseen by Executive Chef Francesco MannelliMel offers a farm-and-sea-fresh Mediterranean menu for breakfast and dinner.

Quiosc is an open kitchen and terrace shaded by pines by one of the Resort pools, and down on the beach, Xiringuito serves up refreshing drinks and light fare. In the evening, guests will gather at the round bar at Cercle, where expert bartenders will shake up inventive cocktails and pour from the Resort’s exquisite wine list.

Oenophiles will love getting to know the grapes and the growers at the winery located within the same private estate as the Resort.

The concierge team at Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor has been busy creating a series of very special experiences around the island, including a morning spent browsing a farmer’s market with a local guide introducing guests to farmers, bakers and cheesemakers as they gather delicacies for a traditional aperitivo. For those who can’t resist stocking up, the Resort can arrange shipping as well.

Connoisseurs of fine olive oils will want to book the chauffeured Sa Balsa tour, which takes guests to a picturesque pond encircled by stone walls, originally designed to supply fresh water to olive groves.  Here, guests will learn the estate’s history before tucking into a Mallorcan buffet and open bar.

For a full-day experience like no other, the Ancient Finca Discovery tour takes guests to a private finca (a Spanish farm) to learn about Mediterranean agricultural techniques and the extensive estate’s habitat regeneration program. A hands-on cooking class at sunset in a 13th-century stone house sees everyone pitching in to prepare a rustic meal before a local astronomer guides a magical stargazing session.

More to come: Shima, a sophisticated Nikkei-style dining experience, will debut in 2025. Guests who return for the Resort’s second season can also pick up freshly baked pastries at Sospir and enjoy cool treats at Crocant ice cream parlour.

Relax and recharge

The Resort’s beautiful setting within a coastal woodland lends itself to the Japanese art of Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing – the practice of immersing in natural sights, sounds, scents and textures under the guidance of a mindfulness expert.

Or, sign up for an oil painting workshop led by a local artist and capture the beauty of the surrounding landscape for a unique memento of one’s visit to Mallorca. Fitness buffs will find plenty of choice for an active vacation, including a state-of-the-art gym on site.

More to come: A pop-up spa with two treatment rooms is now open for the 2024 season, with a new, full-service spa debuting in 2025.

For more information, visit fourseasons.com/mallorca/

A popular luxury hotel brand is making its debut in Madrid this spring

Thompson Hotels, a luxury brand known for combining curated design and culinary sophistication with the right amount of edge, is all set to welcome its first property in Spain.

Slated to open in mid-2022, the Thompson Madrid is a 175-room luxury lifestyle hotel that will mark a significant milestone for Hyatt as the brand celebrates its thoughtful growth in Europe with its debut in Spain.   

With fashion, art and entertainment at the heart of the Thompson Hotels experience, the brand attracts tastemakers from international guests to emerging creatives in the neighborhood. At Thompson Madrid, guests will experience elements of Madrid’s culture through the hotel’s striking design and spaces that have been inspired by the soul of the city and its architecture.

Thomson Madrid guest rooms feature warm white walls and rich wooden accents.

A vibrant mix of global sophistication and cultural know-how, the prime location will embody the Thompson Hotels brand’s promise to provide a dynamic home-base for culture savvy guests to connect with each other and what inspires them. Perfect for both business and leisure guests, Thompson Madrid will be located in the center of the new Golden Mile of Madrid, and steps away from the most visited icons of the city, Puerta del Sol and the eclectic Gran Vía street.  

Thompson Madrid lounge space is a large, open-concept space with columns, islands, plants and other furnishings dividing the room into separate spaces full of meeting tables and lounge seating.

The hotel’s 175 guestrooms, including 23 exceptional suites, have been carefully designed and decorated to make guests to discover a new sense of modern luxury. The guestrooms will feature balconies and terraces with city views and fashion forward art and style. Thompson Madrid will offer a truly unique stay with the additional offer of a two-story penthouse with panoramic views.

Thompson Madrid guest rooms have been carefully designed and decorated to make guests to discover a new sense of modern luxury. Guest rooms feature rich wooden accents and furniture, as well as blown glass light fixtures.

Thompson Madrid will be a social anchor of the neighbourhood boasting three food and beverage outlets housed on various floors, including the signature rooftop terrace with a bar and restaurant, as well a speak-easy style venue. The culinary offerings will be managed by the renowned Grupo La Ancha, with a strong presence in Spain since the early 20th century and creator of beloved dining concepts such as Fismuler in Madrid. The rooftop will offer stunning views overlooking Madrid and will include an urban oasis, with a state of the art outdoor pool, a hilltop residential style bar, and a destination day club. Additional amenities will include uniquely designed event spaces, as well as an open-air courtyard and a fitness centre.

This luxury hotel in Ibiza has an on-site spa devoted to anti-aging treatments

This November, Six Senses Ibiza is launching a series of longevity treatments and programs in collaboration with RoseBar, with a view to opening a one-of-a-kind longevity center in May 2022. It combines diagnostics with nutritional guidance and anti-aging treatments to achieve greater vitality, clarity of mind, and a youthful appearance at any age.

Along with its own scientific advisory board, RoseBar has teamed up with a world-class biotech company and AI specialist. Using advanced diagnostic algorithms, RoseBar explores next generation anti-aging treatments and nutraceuticals.

“Working with RoseBar, we believe longevity does not need to be served in a clinical environment,” says Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses Wellness Pioneer. “That’s why our longevity programs are a mix of science and spiritual work that can be integrated into a client’s daily life or stay at Six Senses Ibiza. Not only does this mean you’re surrounded by beautiful nature, but you can also access complementary treatments and therapies within our Six Senses Spa, or bespoke menus to amplify the benefits. It’s a holistic way to stretch your prime years and maximize your strength, energy and love of life.”

With 116 guest rooms and suites, Six Senses Ibiza combines a secluded bay setting with a comprehensive range of amenities and seasonal programming, farm-to-table dining, music, art, sustainable fashion, culture, and wellness. Each experience is inspired by the traditions and values of the island’s north to deliver an intentional destination that provokes meaningful moments of community, spirituality and celebration.

The RoseBar Essential Diagnostic starts from EUR 1,050, with multi-day programs starting from EUR 2,550.