A light breeze blows over the hills of the Tramuntana Mountains and brings some movement to the lush flowering bougainvillea bushes. Two finches dive down to pool level to sip on the cool water while I adjust my Panama hat and enjoy the sunset on my finca with a glass of Gramona. A finca that is actually a castle and was lovingly restored by the Kühne family in 2013 to what it is today: A dream destination in the heart of the Balearic island of Mallorca. Welcome to my finca for the next days, welcome to the famous Castell Son Claret.
#suites
I am convinced that all 45 rooms and suites offer an impressive experience and will be forever in the memory of their guests. But what the architects succeeded in doing with the 3 pool suites in May 2019 can be classified under the heading „Extraordinary“. On 80 square metres, the guests reside in an architectural mixture of historic stone walls, shiny marble floors and cool designer furniture. Even mundane things like televisions turn out to be icons of the Loewe company and enrich the ensemble without probably ever having been switched on. Why should they? Outside there is simply too much to experience, such as the spacious terrace, with direct access to the garden and pool. And while the suite looks like a small finca from the outside, inside it impresses with 5-metre high ceilings and an opulent sleeping and living area, which is complemented by two bathrooms. This is luxury without ostentation. This is tradition without looking old and antiquated. Rather, it is a statement that runs through the entire castle with architectural consistency.
#food
My host Anette Andersen, who is responsible for Marketing & Sales at Castell son Claret, tells me about a new dinner experience where guests can enjoy their dinner in private in small garden oases. I am very impressed by the idea, as the 132 hectare property would be perfect for a private dinner. Nevertheless, vacationers much prefer the terrace of the Olivera Restaurant, where the day begins in the morning with home-baked bread and ends in the evening with a view of the starry sky. Chef Pep Forteza serves Mallorcan specialities and mixes them with international classics. So I opt for the Black Angus Beef Rib with Patatas Bravas and finish with a toffee coulant on white vanilla foam. More pleasure and ambience are hardly possible
#wellness
If you can call a private pool your own, then you are quite close to the wishlessly happy mark and tend not to want to leave paradise. Which would be a mistake, as the Mediterranean blue hotel pool captivates especially in the morning hours with wonderful reflections of palm trees and mountains, so that also external guests like to book an arrangement on the luxurious Balinese Pool Beds and stay for lunch or dinner. For cooler days, a beautiful indoor pool with sauna and hammam awaits you, as well as a wide range of treatments and massages, making Castell Son Claret a worthy member of the Leading Hotels of the World. For active holidaymakers, there is also a tennis court and gym, as well as well-maintained hiking trails that start directly from the hotel and finish at Puig Galatazó, one of the highest mountains in Mallorca.
#sightseeing
Basically, one can explore the whole island from Castell Son Claret and thus, the dream bays, mountain villages, cliffs and the cathedral of Palma are literally at one’s feet. Anette Andersen recommends me the side trip to the coastal town Sant Elm where there is a small sand bay that represents the sea in all shades of turquoise and blue. Above it is a promenade with small shops and fish restaurants, which offer a nice view of the ocean and the Dragonera Island and thus make a perfect lunch stop. If it wasn’t for the exclusive Port d’Andratx with its yachts, boutiques and luxury villas. This noble little town is not only the meeting place and residence of numerous stars and starlets, but also the perfect place to spend the day*. But here, too, a little star sticks above the word, because you would actually much rather spend your time in Castell Son Claret, that’s how relaxed this retreat in Majorcan Tuscany feels.
#castellsonclaret
In the end, a picture of Mediterranean joie de vivre in a graceful castle setting remains in my eternal memory. It is that moment when I drive up the palm-lined driveway to Castell Son Claret in my pastel green Fiat 500 convertible and park in style as the only vehicle in front of the reception. It is a feeling of lightness of heart paired with the experience of wishlessly happy moments that unwind in this ambience, like on a string of pearls. This atmosphere is shaped by an outstanding team: always excellent, always stylish, always humorous and with a good portion of Mediterranean hospitality. One day I will return to this place to put a few more pearls on my chain of experiences.
This article was written at the invitation of Castell Son Claret in Mallorca. Many thanks to Anette Andersen for this unique experience.