The morning sun moves over the vineyard and orange trees and makes me wake up leisurely. Nothing else is pending, or better, I do not even allow anything to disturb this peace and decoupling. A play of light and shadow breaks on the walls of the former Jesuit monastery from the 18th century and creates a peaceful painting. Birds chirp towards the new day, a herd of goats grumble in the distance and two donkeys circle around an olive tree. Just like a hundred years ago, you would think, if it weren’t for this deep blue pool, the sun beds with their white curtains, or the stylishly set-up lounge furniture on the panoramic terrace of the Son Brull Hotel & Spa in Pollenca. In eighteen months of renovation work, the once religious ensemble has become a place of power where you can fill up your energy level for a whole year. Far from the hustle and bustle one would expect to find in Mallorca.
#rooms:
In all, the monastery building houses 23 individually designed rooms and suites that artfully play with the quirks of the historic property. There are three-meter-high ceilings with sloping roofs and wooden beams, small tower windows whose views fall directly on the rows of orange and lemon trees, modern, smoothly polished stone floors, and a rain shower that could easily fit 4 people at once. Pared-down extravagance meets the desaturated atmosphere of a former monastery ensemble. Even more opulence is promised by the four villa suites, with 2 bedrooms and private pool. They are built a bit off the main building directly into the vineyard.
#food:
Regional gourmet cuisine at the Restaurant 365 or Mediterranean tapas in a relaxed bistro atmosphere? Son Brull offers both, and the view of the pool, which is illuminated in the evening, is always spectacular from both locations, at least if you can sit on the terrace. And that’s what you do in summer, actually, always. I opt for the medium grilled beef tenderloin in the 365, which is served tender in red wine sauce with vegetables and crispy fries, and in the bistro for the tuna grilled to perfection. The feast is rounded off with the in-house rosé, which adds a refreshing, fruity note to the Mediterranean setting. The breakfast, which is lovingly served at the table in the form of bread, ham and cheese specialties, is at least as culinary adept. On request, there are also pancakes, French toast with fresh strawberries, scrambled eggs with bacon or my favorite: Eggs Benedict. For those who still have activities in mind after this opulent feast, I recommend the sports & wellness program or an excursion to the highlights of this island.
#wellness
The pool overlooking the vineyards and monastery is clearly the star of the relaxation sky at Son Brull. There’s even a wonderful indoor pool complete with steam room and sauna, or a gym to work off those carefully built-up breakfast pounds. However, I opt for the tennis court, which is located a bit away from the action in the middle of an olive grove. And that is good, because the balls fly in all directions. After only a few rallies, the goats start to grumble. It’s a good thing that my audience is capable of suffering and is largely fenced off, otherwise they would all have disappeared by now. Still, it’s fun to play in this seclusion, especially since you can curse your own dilettantism without being warned right away. As a reward, not only a lemonade from the garden of Son Brull awaits, but also the jump into the refreshing water of the enticingly winking hotel pool.
#excursions
Mallorca is an island from whose towns you can actually reach any place in a day. From there, the possibilities are endless and varied in their choices. For example, you could spend the day shopping in Palma, strolling through the old town streets, enjoying coffee and almond cake in one of the lovely cafes, or visiting the famous cathedral. Or you can go for a hike in the Tramuntana mountains, where not far from the hotel you can climb to the monastery Santuari de la Mare Déu del Puig, from where you can enjoy a gigantic view of the mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. Or you can go by car to Cap Formentor, where the cliffs plunge spectacularly into the deep blue of the sea and produce photo motifs on the conveyor belt. In any case, the winding 18-kilometer road reminds me of the famous Chapmans Peak Drive near Cape Town and is one of the most breathtaking stretches on the island. By the way, you shouldn’t forget your bathing suit either, because Cala Figuera beckons with turquoise water and rocking sailboats and can definitely be called a dream bay.
#hotelsonbrull
The options for excursions and activities seem endless, yet most guests spend their days in the feel-good oasis of Son Brull Rural Sanctuary. The security, the relaxation, the tranquility, the loveliness of the landscape and the exquisite service, stump the excursion options time and time again. You come from the gray, pandemic-ridden Germany, turn off the distant everyday life like a bedside lamp and dive into the wonderfully reduced life of a former monastery, which is actually a luxury hotel and power place called Son Brull.
This article was written at the invitation of Son Brull Hotel & Spa. My thanks go to Anna Koppe of KPRN Network for the perfect organization.