Palau Sa Font is located at the end of a narrow street in Palma's medieval quarter known as 'La Lonja'. Intricate wooden balconies almost bridge across the narrow alleyways strewn with washing lines and filled with vibrant chatter from the local bars. Several years ago La Lonja had a reputation for drugs and prostitution. Now it is the fashionable cultural area noted for its excellent nightlife.
Open since 2000, Palau Sa Font was the city's first designer boutique hotel. On entering the hotel you leave behind the bustle and excitement of the city and arrive to a cool and calming interior. Beautifully designed with bright bold colours, hand-crafted modern furniture and intriguing modern art, Palau Sa Font offers a relaxing haven in the heart of Palma. Its bar is open all day and the rooftop terrace has panoramic views of the city and a refreshing plunge pool.
Highs
- Excellent location: right in the heart of the old city, close to cultural sights and the hub of Palma’s nightlife. It's 5 minutes' walk from the harbour and 15 minutes from El Seu cathedral
- Very helpful and friendly service
- Clean-cut, comfortable rooms
- Rooftop views of the cathedral and harbour
- A delicious breakfast and a wealth of great restaurants within a few minutes' walk of the hotel
Lows
- We have yet to see the hotel following its recent refurbishment and new room makeovers, but it looks lovely
- We didn't like the art canvases hanging on each bedroom door
- The plunge pool is very small and there's no ambiance
- No parking at the hotel itself but you can drive to the door to drop off luggage. There are public car parks 5 minutes' walk away
Best time to go
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant months; July and August get very hot. However, every evening in August there are free open-air concerts and movies around the city. In mid-winter Palma is still a lot more pleasant than northern Europe - on sunny days you can sit outside in the cafes. The hotel closes for the month of January.
Our top tips
If you enjoy good design, then make the short pilgrimmage to Rialto Living (c/ Sant Feliu, a few blocks away) for fantastic fashion, interiors, art and a relaxed café, all housed in a beautifully converted old movie theatre.
Come dinner time, head to Koa on c/ Sant Joan for gourmet pizzas, Asian-style tapas and grilled meats; afterwards, slip next door to their sister bar, Ombu, for superb cocktails.
Come dinner time, head to Koa on c/ Sant Joan for gourmet pizzas, Asian-style tapas and grilled meats; afterwards, slip next door to their sister bar, Ombu, for superb cocktails.
- Boutique Hotel
- 19 rooms
- Breakfast only (walk to restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Plunge Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 19 guest rooms are simply furnished. Contrasting with the hotel's traditional exterior, they are modern and clean-cut, offering comfort with easy style. Each has light and cian blue walls with cream calico curtains and blinds, crisp white duvets and wooden bed-heads. Bathrooms have good showers and huge green stone sinks moulded from a single slab, plus eco-friendly toiletries by Damana.
Referred to as S, M, L and XL, rooms are priced according to size; we recommend the L and XL rooms (the S rooms are only for single occupany and the M ones a bit cramped). The better rooms overlook the plunge pool and patio; those at the front of the hotel overlooking the narrow lane can be darker. Both can be a bit noisy so bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper. The best room is the XL with Terrace which has its own terrace overlooking the rooftops. All have satellite TV and a minibar (hidden in specially designed cabinets), hairdryer and air-conditioning.
The rooms, bathrooms and furnishings have had a makeover since our last visit – including an XL with an enclosed balcony and new upholstery on the armchairs and bedside tables – and we can't wait to check them out in person.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Central heating
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Plunge pool
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
A very good breakfast is served in the downstairs bar: an appetising spread of yoghurt, cereals, fresh pastries, homemade quince puree, jams and honey, plus freshly squeezed orange juice. There's a good selection of salamis and cheeses, too.
For other meals, there's no shortage of places to eat nearby; you are surrounded by some of Palma's best tapas bars and restaurants (check out Gaudix around the corner, or Duke in the fashionable Santa Catalina neighbourhood). For further suggestions ask reception.
Open all day, the hotel bar is a nice place to hang out, with interesting modern paintings, funky furniture and a good selection of drinks.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Palma has a wealth of historical and cultural places to see and many are close by, including the city’s magnificent cathedral, La Seu
- Next door to the cathedral, Palau de l'Almudaina was once a Moorish palace and later remodelled in Gothic style in the 13th/14th centuries by the Kings of Mallorca
- Stroll around Palma's harbour - home to some of the world's most expensive yachts
- Shop in the city's excellent boutiques, all within walking distance
- Enjoy a cold beer in one of the outside cafes in La Lonja
- Visit an art gallery - the Fundacio de Caixa or Juan Miro's old house are recommended, as is the nearby Museu d'es Baluard
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Children are welcome and babies stay for free (cots can be provided). Don't expect any facilities, though - this is more of a hip hotel for 20 and 30 somethings.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
The XL with Terrace room can take an extra bed. Two extra beds can be placed in two of the XL rooms; an extra bed is possible in some of the L rooms - all at an additional cost.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The hotel is located in the heart of Palma, near the seafront, about a 15-minute drive from the airport.
By Air:
Palma de Mallorca (15Km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport
We recommend taking a taxi from the airport rather than hiring a car as parking near the hotel is extremely difficult. There are plenty of taxis in front of the arrivals building. The hotel is located in a very narrow street with a barrier at the end, and you may get dropped a 2-minute walk away in the Place de la Reina. Alternatively it is very easy to get the airport bus and then walk to the hotel once you are in Palma.
By Car:
If you plan to explore the island, you may wish to hire a car for part of your trip (we recommend that you collect the car at the end of your stay at Palau Sa Font). If you do have a hire car during your stay, you will need to press the intercom to pass the barrier at the end of the street and say you are guests at the hotel; dump your luggage then park in Parque del Mar. See our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mallorca and getting around
Airports:
- Palma de Mallorca 15.0 km PMI
Other:
- Beach 1.0 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 9 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape