Meet La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel in Mallorca That’s Inspired, Artists, Writers—and Maybe You, Too

Stay Here For

The perfect retreat to finally finish that novel. There’s no prettier place to get the creative juices flowing—or to simply appreciate beauty in all its forms.

“Ah,” you’ll sigh when you check in to La Residencia, cradling your welcome drink on the terrace of Restaurante Miró as you gaze upon the Tramuntana mountains. “This is why artists love it here.”  

Tacked on the coast of Mallorca, the tiny town of Deià has long drawn creatives from around the world, many of whom take artistic inspiration from the out-of-time hamlet and its soaring mountains. At the heart of the village lies La Residencia, a resort that’s also become something of a community hub, championing art and artists in equal measure: The hotel is home to more than 800 works, all by artists with a connection to Deià, as well as a residency program that welcomes in a global slate of talents, to live and work here.  

Since opening in 1984, when two 16th- and 17th-century manor houses were combined to create the 70-room retreat, La Residencia has always placed art at the center of its mission. (To wit, local artists George and Cecilie Sheridan were tapped to curate the hotel’s expansive collection.) Even today, art finds its way everywhere, from the 33 original paintings by legendary Catalan painter and sculptor Joan Miró that adorn his namesake restaurant to the labels on the hotel’s house-made olive oil, designed by a different local talent every other year. There’s even a Poet’s Walk high atop the property, lined with sculptures of celebrated wordsmiths and inscribed with their musings.

Though La Residencia’s sandstone structures seem to blend into the town, making it difficult to grasp where one ends and the other begins, the property is sprawling—and in fact, feels like a village all its own. Stretched across its 30-odd grassy, sloping acres are 1,500 olive trees, along with a smattering of fig, carob and lemon trees and a vegetable garden that supplies the property’s restaurants with fresh produce. (There are also four donkeys and 15 sheep.) There are bougainvillea-shaded alleys and cobbled courtyards to get lost in, and communal gathering spaces that include three pools, two of the island’s most renowned restaurants and plenty of terraces to take in that stop-and-stare view. 

After a full day of exploring, there’s no better place to settle down in than one of its guest rooms, which are laden with old-world charm—think Mallorcan-style carved wood headboards and traditional patterned tiles in the bathrooms. 

Whether Deià’s copper rooftops are gilded in sunshine or the Tramuntanas are hidden beneath the mist of a rare rainy day, La Residencia is the perfect place to enjoy this low-key island. So do as the locals do: Slip off your shoes, kick up your feet and have a leisurely day chasing creative pursuits—or doing nothing at all. 

The Room

Deluxe Double Rooms are generously sized, but Junior Suites come with more space (and a terrace—or even two!). For a true wow moment, consider the collection of Signature Suites, like the Miró Suite or the Matthew Williamson Suite—aside from plenty of space, distinctive design and complimentary airport transfers and laundry services, these suites come with terraces with large private pools.

No matter which category you spring for, there are plenty of amenities to help you feel right at home: an extensive pillow menu (care for an antiaging blend infused with vitamin E, perhaps?), cloudlike slippers and a handy Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, to name a few.

The Features

La Residencia offers guests a complimentary two-hour ride on the property’s boat.

Don’t miss: In the summer months, the hotel offers guests a complimentary sunset cruise departing from Port de Sóller. The sailing skims along the northern coast for scenic views and stops for swim breaks.

Standout features: While all of La Residencia can feel like an art exhibit, Sa Tafona is the hotel’s actual gallery. Set in the oldest part of the estate, the space carries a rotating roster of local talents throughout the year, curated by artist Cecilie Sheridan, (a longtime local herself, having moved here in the ’70s).

Can’t stop thinking about: The vegetation. It seems like everywhere you turn, there’s a burst of bright flowers. Guests can “adopt” an olive tree (prices range from €350 a year to €700 for three years); the trees are then garlanded with the guest’s name, so it’s easy to track them down on return visits.

The Lowdown

For a meal with a view, book a table at La Residencia’s traditional Mallorcan restaurant, El Olivo.

What are you packing? A journal, or some watercolors. It’s impossible not to be inspired here.   

The movie that could be filmed here: An airy biopic of any of the quirky, creative minds who have made their home in Deià—and there have been many.

The perfect spot for your social media post: While the patio at El Olivo is iconic for a reason, you’ll get a better view of the resort and surrounding environs by climbing up a few flights of stairs toward the gym and turning around.  

Are guests staying in or going out? With some of Mallorca’s finest restaurants on property, it’s easy to make excuses to stick around—but the resort’s setting in the heart of town, along with complimentary sailing trips, shuttles to Cala Deià beach and art walks through the village, are reason enough to leave for a spell. 

Feeling ambitious? Sign up for La Residencia’s master class in olive oil.

Fast Facts

• Number of rooms: 70
• Number of pools: 3   
• Fitness center? Yes
• Spa? Yes
• Salon? Yes
• Number of bars/restaurants: 4 
• 24-hour room service? Yes
• Childcare and kids club? Yes