Posada Terra Santa

Built in 1576, the Posada Terra Santa is the former home of a Boixador baron and still retains an air of renaissance whimsy and historic character with its striking stone arches and Gothic architectural flourishes. These details of another era are complemented by elegant, contemporary decor and modern luxuries. There are several atmospheric common rooms, such as the delightful Damero Room, an elegant yet playful lounge area with black and white checkered floors and gray walls that are paired with funky decor such as an orange leather couch and white reindeer heads with colorful antlers mounted on the wall. The beige-hued library is more subdued but equally stylish, with two eye-catching black birdcage chairs and shelves of old paperback books and curios. The hotel maintains a tranquil and oasis-like ambience, despite its location in the city center, with many areas to relax in, including a lovely rooftop pool area and a dimly lit, serene spa. The friendly atmosphere is due in large to the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff who are known to greet guests by name. 

Located on a small side street and surrounded by a labyrinth of winding alleys, the Posada Terra Santa is in the historic center of Palma and optimally situated for exploring the city on foot. The hotel is flanked by stately homes, some of which are still in the hands of the original families that founded the island, and is around the corner from the Placa de Quadrado (which is a good landmark for taxi drivers who may be unfamiliar with the hotel). The hotel is a short walk from loads of tapas bars and the majority of the city's top attractions, including the Seu Cathedral (10-minute walk), the Arab Baths (seven-minute walk), and the Mercat del Olivar (seven-minute walk). The nearest bus stop is a minute walk from the hotel and the airport can be reached in 10 minutes via taxi.

While one might expect a property that was built in 1576 to be dark and uninviting, the rooms at the Posada Terra Santa are bathed in natural light and decorated in soft colors. The spaces feel plucked from the pages of a modern design magazine, with contemporary furniture, parquet floors, beautiful exposed wooden ceiling beams, and playful curious like a rotary phone and model sailboats encased in glass mounted on the walls. Modern comforts include high-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, pillow menus, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are spacious and spotless, with luxurious walk-in rainfall showers (with the exception of the Baron Suite which has both a separate tub and shower), fluffy robes, and high-end toiletries. The view of the Seu Cathedral from the Junior Suite is spectacular on a sunny day, but most rooms have unremarkable, though not unpleasant, street or inner courtyard views.

The Posada Terra Santa has several common spaces where guests can relax, such as the stylish Damero Room filled with art books and reads in various languages, the serene and chic library with a mirror TV, and the rooftop sun terrace and dipping pool that, though small, has lovely views over neighboring rooftops. A winding stone staircase leads down to the atmospheric, subterranean spa which offers a wide list of treatments as well as a small dipping pool and sauna that can be reserved for private use. The tiny fitness room is equipped with only two machines, but has a flat-screen TV. The on-site restaurant, La Despensa Del Barón, feels like a trip back in time with its glorious gothic stone archways and old wooden bar. The restaurant serves a selection of tapas and main meals, as well as an extensive breakfast buffet that includes a much lauded egg-focused menu. There is an honesty bar in the lobby and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.