Son Xotano
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Hotel Details
Location
Mallorca
Spain, Europe
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Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional Service:** The staff's friendliness, attentiveness, and exceptional performance are frequently highlighted, contributing to guests feeling "at home".
- ✓The dining area, though beautiful for al fresco meals, has limited covered space, which could be an "inconvenience on rainy days".
Expert Review: Son Xotano
Son Xotano, Mallorca: A Serene Michelin Key Retreat in the Heart of the Island
Son Xotano, a Michelin Key Selected property nestled in the tranquil countryside of Mallorca, offers guests an exceptional escape that blends historic charm with modern luxury. Praised for its serene ambiance, exquisite design, and attentive service, this adults-only hotel provides a perfect setting for relaxation and connection with nature.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
Guests consistently rate Son Xotano as exceptional, with a 9.9 out of 10 on Booking.com based on numerous reviews, and a perfect 5.0 TripAdvisor rating. The overarching sentiment is one of peace and tranquility, with many describing it as an "oasis in the middle of nowhere" and an "idyllic retreat". It's lauded as a "luxury hotel" and a "charming rural retreat" perfect for those seeking to disconnect and immerse themselves in the Mallorcan countryside.
2. Key Highlights
Son Xotano shines through its blend of elements that create a truly unique experience:
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel, a revamped 12th-century estate, masterfully combines original Mallorcan architecture with modern, rustic-luxe design. Honey-hued stone walls are accented by pops of powder blue in shutters and furnishings, while intricate murals, traditional ikat prints, and beamed ceilings add character to the interiors. The meticulous use of local materials like Mallorcan clay, pine, linen, and brushed metal creates a soft, sensorial, and calming atmosphere.
- Tranquil Setting: Surrounded by olive groves, cypress trees, and vineyards, the hotel offers a profound sense of peace away from the bustling coastal areas. The jasmine-scented grounds and garden dining enhance the alfresco appeal.
- Exceptional Service: The staff's friendliness, attentiveness, and exceptional performance are frequently highlighted, contributing to guests feeling "at home".
- Amenities for Relaxation: A beautiful outdoor swimming pool, sun terrace, and garden are central features, alongside a fitness room, wellness packages, and a solarium. Activities such as yoga, horse riding, archery, and mini-golf are also available.
3. Room Quality
The 22 rooms and 14 suites at Son Xotano are designed for comfort and elegance. They are often thoughtfully proportioned, featuring arched windows, vaulted ceilings, or stone thresholds that open onto private gardens, loggias, or balconies. Specific room types range from cozy Single and Double Rooms to spacious Deluxe Suites and Junior Suites, some with terraces or garden views.
Rooms boast luxurious touches such as 100% washed linen bedding by Bassols and locally sourced Mallorcan textiles. Bathrooms are expansive and elegant, equipped with walk-in rain showers, sandstone basins, matte brass fixtures, handcrafted ceramic tiles, and premium Aesop amenities. Some suites even feature freestanding bathtubs and fireplaces for cooler months, creating a romantic ambiance. Notably, rooms are intentionally free of TVs and sound systems to encourage unwinding and disconnection. Air conditioning, private bathrooms, and premium bedding ensure a comfortable stay.
4. Dining Experience
Dining at Son Xotano is a significant highlight, described as a "culinary adventure" that celebrates "authentic flavors with a refined, contemporary Mediterranean cuisine". The on-site restaurant operates with a "zero-kilometre ethos," sourcing most ingredients and wines from neighboring farms and vineyards. Chef Isabel Omar draws inspiration directly from the hotel's lush grounds.
Guests can enjoy lunch and dinner, often with al fresco dining shaded by olive trees, creating a magical setting. Mallorcan-style turbot with puréed tumbet and brûléed ensaimada with orange sorbet are examples of the innovative dishes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Breakfast, served overlooking the pool, is described as varied, complete, and delicious. It includes a buffet of hyper-local produce and à la carte options like açai bowls and pan con tomate. There are also two bars on-site for drinks and relaxation.
5. Service & Staff
The hospitality at Son Xotano consistently receives high praise. Guests frequently commend the staff for being friendly, attentive, and helpful. They are noted for their "exceptional staff performance" and ability to make guests feel "at home". Personalized touches, such as birthday surprises and local recommendations, are particularly appreciated. The staff is also adept at arranging various activities and services, including airport transfers, guided hikes, cycling tours, hot-air balloon rides, cooking classes, and private yacht charters. Communication is facilitated as staff can speak at least English and Spanish.
6. Location & Accessibility
Son Xotano is ideally situated in the heart of Mallorca's wine country, in Sencelles, offering a unique rural escape. Its location provides "great peace and quiet" while remaining "well connected to nearby towns of interest and numerous local wineries". The hotel is approximately 1.5 kilometers from Pina and a short drive from Sineu, a charming town known for its traditional market. Palma and its turquoise coves are also within a short driving distance.
For travel, Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI) is about 30 minutes away by car (30-32 km). The hotel offers airport transfer services, and free self-parking is available on-site for those who rent a car. While remote, the hotel is also conveniently located near public transport stations like Enllaç and Lloseta Train Station, offering bus routes and train services to explore the island.
7. Value & Pricing
As a Michelin Key Selected luxury property, Son Xotano offers an experience commensurate with its pricing. Room rates can start from around $342 to $483 per night for the cheapest double room, inclusive of taxes and fees. Despite the luxury pricing, guests often find the "value for money excellent," reflecting the high quality of the accommodations, service, and overall experience. The unique blend of tranquility, design, and gastronomy contributes to its perceived value.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor points of feedback have been noted by guests:
- Some guests have mentioned issues with water pressure in bathtubs.
- A "language barrier upon arrival" was reported by a few visitors.
- The noise of airplanes overhead was a drawback for some seeking absolute silence.
- One guest suggested that while the staff was attentive, there was a slight "lack of experience" due to the hotel being relatively new.
- The dining area, though beautiful for al fresco meals, has limited covered space, which could be an "inconvenience on rainy days".
- A minor suggestion included adding a light to garden tables for comfortable room service dinners outdoors.
- Some guests wished for more local produce options, such as sobrassada and ensaïmada, to be regularly included in the breakfast spread.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Some guests have mentioned issues with water pressure in bathtubs.
