BonSol Hotel Resort & Spa

The decor of the Hotel BonSol lobby is perhaps a little unexpected for a Mallorcan beach retreat; it is a veritable trove of international trinkets and treasures that the family has collected from around the world. Medieval furniture, tapestries, iron statues, and even full suits of armor manage to seamlessly merge with buddhas and porcelain Chinese urns in this space. The conference room would suit King Arthur, while the Empress Dowager might find herself right at home in the spa. Effortlessly versatile, this upscale hotel is almost chameleon-like in its ability to please anyone, from the traveling business professional to the high-end leisure traveler. 

Despite its proximity to central Palma, the Hotel BonSol is located in a quiet area surrounded by pine trees and lush gardens that tower over the Palma Bay. Though the beach area is tiny and there isn't room for too many loungers on the sand, there are plenty on the terrace that wraps around the beach area. The waters are calm, a photo-worthy shade of Mediterranean blue, and perfect for a casual dip or dive. The property is mainly surrounded by other four and five pearl hotels, as well as a few restaurants, including the Balenario Illetas, which has stunning beachfront terraces and seems plucked straight from an advertisement for a destination wedding. Aside from restaurants, there isn't much to do within walking distance, but with the very complete regime of amenities offered by the hotel, this isn't an issue. Both central Palma and the airport are a 20-minute drive away. 

The rooms at the Hotel BonSol preserve a few of the lobby's medieval elements, but overall, they feel much more suited to a beach setting. While the furniture in the rooms is dark and a bit formal, it is contrasted by simple, regal colors and a mix of striped and tasteful floral prints. The bathrooms are plain but elegant and done entirely in white marble, though the hairdryers could be updated. The Junior Suites with a Sea View on the higher floors offer jaw-dropping views of the bay below. Fresh roses and Lindt truffles in the room are a nice touch, though nothing tops the private balconies, which are spacious enough to fit loungers and are generously bathed in sunlight. 

What impresses most about this 73-room hotel is just how much you get the sense that it has been in the family for generations. In the dining room and at reception, the owners of the hotel make an effort to engage with guests, and pride themselves on their very high rate of returning customers. Everything from the impeccably maintained tennis courts to the numerous pools -- one so lavishly landscaped it appears to have been built in the middle of a tropical rainforest -- is impressive. The wellness center is very modern, with crisp white walls and large windows with views of the outdoors. Spotless and fully equipped with a sauna and hammam, the property's spa is also one of its main draws. Decorated with a beautiful mix of Moorish and Southeast Asian flourishes, its delicate lighting, gleaming hydromassage tubs, and peaceful yoga studio all add to its charms. There's even an outdoor massage area, shaded by vibrant red and saffron-colored drapes amidst a garden of buddhas. The solarium, with its open views of the bay and plentiful white loungers on AstroTurf, is a sunbather's paradise. Amenable to all ages, the property has an adults-only garden area, as well as a playground, kids' pool, and a kids' club.