CENTRAL & BUZZY
If you like to be closer to the action, to where people come together, then this collection is for you. These hotels are in the closest proximity to shops, plaças or squares, patios, and in the general vicinity of the central walking paths within Palma.
They each offer a pretty distinct aesthetic, so within this collection, it more so comes down to budget and style preference.
*unless otherwise noted, photos are via the hotel’s website and/or Instagram
Please note that rates are subject to change based on availability, and will also depend on how far in advance you book your stay.
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Pretty reasonable value for a 5-star hotel, the Nivia Born Boutique Hotel has rooms with windows that overlook the Passeig de Born, although you will find the main entrance one street behind it. This art deco hotel is in a 1950s building that was once the headquarters of the Spanish airline Iberia.
With 24 warm and welcoming rooms that feature comfortable bedding and padded velvet headboard walls, expect more florals and plush textures than you might see in typical Spanish decor. The rooftop terrace and bar area are also nice bonuses.
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Converted from an old Mallorcan 18th-century palace, the Puro Hotel Palma is just to the west of Passeig de Born. The hotel has 34 doubles and 17 suites, including nine duplex suites, three of these with large private terraces; for a total of 51 airy rooms.
The design feels Spanish, but with hints of international inspiration coming from Marrakech, Miami, and East Asia, it all works together. The rooms are situated in the main building, which has a fifth-floor roof terrace outfitted with Balinese sunbeds and a splash pool. The 5-star Puro Grand Hotel is just down the street, so just be mindful to not confuse the two properties.
There are also rooms in the private wing located just across the street, known as The Puro House, which is decorated in a more classicaellelly balearic style with modern touches. Puro House is the most exclusive part of the hotel, and ideal for groups seeking a more private stay; with 11 superior category rooms, show kitchen, outdoor terraces, and a jacuzzi, you can enjoy a totally separate annex experience.
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Closer to La Rambla street, a main walking thoroughfare and home to many flower kiosks, is where you will find 5-star Boutique Hotel Sant Jaume; just on the edges of where you will begin to explore Palma. In an exquisitely refurbished 18th-century mansion transformed into a sleek, design and art forward space, the hotel is on a quiet narrow street, flanked by gothic Sant Jaume Church and Santa Magdalena Convent.
There are 36 bright rooms and 6 junior suites, three of which have terraces. The style maintains the classic Spanish aesthetic, with the added touches of comfortable bedding and seating. There is a spa on the lower level, and a roof terrace that has a solarium and plunge whirlpool, you can also take in some panoramic views.
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A skilfully converted 19th-century property, 4-star Hotel Cort is in lively and historic Plaça Cort, across from the 17th-century established Town Hall. With its famous 600 year old 'Olivera de Cort' olive tree and outdoor patios, lively is the key word for this often bustling plaça, but the hotel promises to bring a bit of serenity to your stay in this location.
On the higher price end of the 4-star hotels, these rooms really are more like unique suites (but without the kitchen). They might feature living areas, fireplaces, and/or private terraces and jacuzzis, or even a maritime-chic style or island-inspired decor, such as surfboards and models of yachts. There is the option to connect some rooms / suites, and each comes with a Nespresso machine. There's also an unheated open-air plunge pool, on the hotel’s third-floor terrace, with accompanying day-beds.
WKDY Wanderer Custom Google Maps: Connect to the island
For access to island-wide custom maps, the WKDY Wanderer Member platform has everything you will ever need.
The custom maps include all the cafés and restaurants I mention in the guide and via Instagram (more actually), as well as our top picks for shops, beaches and beach clubs, historical sites and destinations of interest.
Once you are connected to the WKDY Wanderer Google Maps, each of our recommended locations and their unique icons and location markers will auto-populate within your own personal Google Maps network.
Wherever you happen to find yourself, you won’t miss out on anything worth exploring