Can Bordoy

After a four-hour flight, an hour-long queue at the airport’s car-rental booth and a less than smooth journey through the unfamiliar streets of Palma, we breathe a sigh of relief as we arrive at what would be our home for the next few days: charming boutique hotel Can Bordoy.

Tucked away on a quiet, narrow street in the heart of Palma’s Old Quarter, you’ll find the hotel hidden within a tranquil plant-filled courtyard that feels like another world. The botanical splendour of the courtyard continues throughout the property: lush plants abound and vines draped across the walls and ceilings create an enchanted space. Right away, you feel at home; as if you’re visiting the house of some eccentric relative whose place is filled with quirky ornate objects, along with mismatched chairs and furnishings from antique shops around the world. Adorned with wooden beams, Gothic relics, marble tiling and Baroque mirrors, the hotel is full of character. 

Can Bordoy was once a grand 16th-century mansion and, while it has been restored, much of the building’s history is still present. The hotel’s design was inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, the method for mending broken ceramics with gold, silver, or platinum; here, original features are re-introduced and accentuated. That’s what makes Can Bordoy special, its glorious building has been brought back to life with every element that made it unique, such as its wooden doors, blown-glass windows and parquet flooring, all of which have been restored.

We stayed in the Deluxe Suite: a light and airy room adorned with elegant Art Deco-inspired furnishings and dramatic, ceiling-height velvet curtains, in a soothing earth-toned colour palette, to divide the space. I loved the considered details, such as the large round soaking tub, fresh flowers delivered to your room, the TV artfully screened behind the mirror, the luxurious duvet and the extra-large king-sized bed with firmness control – which we could easily have stayed in all day. And then there’s the grand French windows with dark-wood shutters that open up to your own private balcony, which looks out onto the streets of the Old Town. In the evenings, you can hear performers playing music at the square just around the corner. I especially appreciated all the little eco-friendly touches, too, such as the handmade ceramic jars in the bathroom (no pesky plastic shampoo bottles) and the reusable glass decanters on the nightstand.

And now for the pièce de résistance: the hotel’s beautiful private garden with a pool – a rarity in Palma – a peaceful urban sanctuary. Secluded and serene, the garden features over 70 plant species and includes a Lledoner tree, which holds special significance on the island as it’s a symbol of welcome in Mallorcan houses. We’ve found the perfect place to unwind, with plenty of shade, too. Breakfast is served in the garden from the hotel’s restaurant Botànic, whose chef Andrés Benítez focuses on locally sourced organic ingredients. Much of the menu is organic, gluten-free and seasonally inspired. You won’t find your typical bacon, egg and cheese sandwich; think vegan oat and banana pancakes, tortilla abierta (an open omelette with spinach, Iberian ham and tomato), and huevos al plato (shirred eggs with Menorcan cheese, rocket and mushrooms).

Nearly completing Can Bordoy’s impressive offering is the glass-bottomed plunge pool on the sunny roof terrace, with panoramic views over the rooftops of the city’s most historic quarter, including the magnificent Palma Cathedral. And then there’s the spa, with its special relaxation room, which has a steam room, plunge pool with water jets and horizontal shower – yes, a horizontal shower; an absurd contraption which permits showering while lying down; just don’t fall asleep… You can reserve the relaxation room in advance, so you can fully enjoy it on your own without other guests disturbing – many hours were spent here during our stay.

While we had a great time exploring the enchanting island of Mallorca, lazing on the golden beaches, discovering hidden coves and charming villages (Fornalutx, recently voted Spain’s most beautiful village, is a must see), we loved having Can Bordoy as our base – a little haven for us to retreat to after a long day. Not only was the hotel perfectly located for exploring all parts of the island, as most towns are connected by highway to Palma directly, but we loved being able to walk into town for dinner. While there are a few culinary gems spread out on the island, those are few and far between. Palma has a thriving food scene: some of our stay’s most memorable dishes being the prawn Spanish omelette and paella at El Camino, and the grilled octopus at La Rosa Vermutería. So many great little tapas restaurants in this charming little city. And one stand-out hotel.