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Some locations aren’t discovered—they’re found. The sort of locations hidden behind weathered wood gates, with out flashy indicators or grand lobbies, the place the actual luxurious begins the second you step inside. Can Bordoy is one in all them.
By Rosa Gamazo
Tucked into Palma de Mallorca, Spain’s historic La Lonja neighbourhood, this extraordinary boutique lodge feels much less like a lodge than the setting of a fantastically eccentric novel—just a little gothic, just a little Mediterranean, and completely enchanting. Suppose velvet curtains, vintage mirrors, secret gardens, centuries-old stone partitions and the unmistakable feeling that you’ve got stumbled upon someplace you weren’t fairly supposed to search out.
Probably the most stunning half? This world of pale glamour and trendy sophistication was introduced again to life by a Swede. Mikael Corridor noticed magnificence the place others noticed little greater than ruins.
Courting again to the sixteenth century, the constructing was as soon as a household residence, later a convent faculty, and ultimately an deserted mansion in want of a second act. Fairly than restore it within the conventional, museum-like sense, Corridor selected to resurrect it, preserving its scars and imperfections reasonably than erasing them. He joined forces with Mallorcan design studio OHLAB, specialists at turning architectural imperfections into visible poetry.
The result’s virtually alchemical. Unique stone partitions, worn mouldings and creaky previous doorways coexist with vintage furnishings, modern artwork, theatrical curtains and lamps that seem to drift in midair. Nothing feels overly polished—and that’s exactly what makes it so seductive.
Even check-in is unconventional. There isn’t any imposing reception desk or line of uniformed bellhops. As an alternative, you might be welcomed as if you could have simply arrived on the residence of an eccentric, impossibly trendy buddy who occurs to gather artwork, books and furnishings with fascinating backstories.
The air smells of freshly reduce flowers and aged wooden. Comfortable jazz floats by means of the home. The sensation of being “at residence”—solely in a house that smells higher, has flawless linen sheets and another person making the mattress—is fast.
Twenty-4 Suites, Twenty-4 Personalities
The lodge’s 24 suites are all totally different, every with its personal character and title. Some function freestanding bathtubs beside fireplaces; others cover showers behind velvet curtains. Some open onto personal terraces, whereas others body views of Palma Cathedral by means of dramatic home windows.
Even the minibar is something however peculiar. Consider it as a non-public indulgence station, full with fastidiously chosen bottles, books, a speaker taking part in mellow music and even aromatherapy capsules.
Then there are the beds. They’re critical enterprise at Can Bordoy. The firmness can truly be adjusted with a distant management, whereas towering headboards, luxurious linens and punctiliously thought-about lighting make even essentially the most informal morning selfie look suspiciously good.
The Secret Backyard
However what actually makes Can Bordoy unforgettable is its secret backyard. Hidden in the midst of Palma’s historic heart, this lush oasis feels virtually unattainable. Centuries-old timber, climbing crops and flowers that odor like summer time encompass a heated pool that winds by means of the greenery.
It’s remarkably straightforward to neglect that you’re in the midst of a metropolis. Stretch out beneath the pergola with a cocktail, hearken to the water gently trickling right into a fountain and, for a second, the remainder of the world can wait. The temper is pure Wong Kar-wai—with a Mallorcan twist.
A Spa Hidden Underground
Downstairs, virtually like a Roman hideaway, lies the spa, the place stone partitions, low lighting and near-total silence create an intimate sanctuary. All the pieces is personal. Company reserve their very own time slot and have unique entry to the sauna, jacuzzi, sensory bathe and therapy room.
The star attraction is the Dornbracht horizontal bathe, basically a choreographed rainfall expertise that massages the physique whilst you lie again and do completely nothing—which, frankly, is strictly what a trip ought to generally be about. Therapies use natural and vegan merchandise, lots of them so fantastically scented that you could be briefly ponder whether they’re edible.
A New Culinary Chapter at Botànic
After which there may be Botànic, Can Bordoy’s signature restaurant, which has lately entered an thrilling new chapter with the arrival of Chilean-born chef Jhonatan Maldonado.
Maldonado, born in Viña del Mar and a resident of Mallorca for greater than 20 years, brings collectively his Latin American roots together with his deep connection to the island. His résumé consists of a few of Spain’s most revered kitchens, together with Zaranda, Coque and Park Hyatt, in addition to 9 years at Fontsanta.
His arrival marks an evolution for Botànic. Whereas the restaurant stays deeply linked to greens, herbs and the luxurious backyard surrounding it, Maldonado has broadened the culinary imaginative and prescient to embrace native seafood, natural produce, Mallorcan meats and Mediterranean components, infused with touches of his Chilean heritage.
His strategy is available in two distinct moods.
At lunchtime, Küme gives a extra relaxed, casual expertise designed round sharing. Within the night, Pewma transforms the restaurant right into a extra intimate fine-dining expertise centred round a tasting menu. The title, which implies “dream” in Mapudungun, displays the idea: a culinary journey by means of Maldonado’s childhood in Chile, his skilled life and his adopted residence of Mallorca.
It’s a notably becoming philosophy for Can Bordoy, the place virtually every little thing appears to exist someplace between actuality and fantasy.
The backyard, the centuries-old home and the island itself develop into a part of the eating expertise. Native components, herbs, flowers and produce join the plate to its environment, whereas Maldonado’s Chilean influences add one other layer to the story.
And breakfast stays a Can Bordoy ritual price lingering over: freshly pressed juices, seasonal fruit, rustic breads, selfmade granola—and, should you really feel like beginning the day with just a little celebration, a glass of cava.
As a result of at Can Bordoy, breakfast just isn’t merely breakfast. It’s virtually a spiritual expertise.
The Luxurious of Being Remembered
But maybe essentially the most memorable luxurious at Can Bordoy is one thing that can not be photographed: the human consideration to element.
There are not any robotic interactions or scripted exchanges. Workers bear in mind your title. They could counsel a studying spot based mostly in your temper, let you know the story behind an object within the sitting room, or level you towards a hidden Palma alley the place you’ll find a superb espresso or a tucked-away gallery.
The expertise is intimate and private with out ever feeling pressured or pretentious. All the pieces unfolds with the sort of easy magnificence that may be surprisingly troublesome to search out—even at five-star motels.
It seems like you could have been invited into somebody’s extraordinary personal world—a home stuffed with artwork, historical past, gardens, good meals and simply sufficient eccentricity to maintain issues attention-grabbing.
Can Bordoy is a magical home, a soulful retreat, a spot the place luxurious is measured not in marble lobbies or glittering chandeliers, however in silence, textures, shadows dancing throughout previous partitions and a way of calm that settles over you with none effort in any respect.
It’s the sort of place the place you begin planning your return earlier than you could have even checked out.
Rosa Gamazo is a Spanish-born author, leisure journalist, and unit publicist who has spent a lot of her grownup life in the US. Her work spans leisure, life-style, luxurious journey, and tradition, with a give attention to the folks, locations, and experiences that encourage curiosity and connection.
A passionate foodie and boutique lodge fanatic, Rosa is drawn to memorable meals, distinctive stays, and genuine native experiences. An avid animal lover, she is happiest when her travels additionally embody a number of furry or feathered encounters alongside the way in which.