24UNVEILED/ SEPTEMBER

HOW THIS PALMABOUTIQUE IS TAKINGON THE COMPETITION

“The main differentiator of the hotel is thesingular design and the effort to makesomething different compared to ourcompetitors using customized materials of thehighest quality in every corner of the hotel,”says Rubén Zamora, general director for the ÇMallorca Collection, which includes El LlorençParc de la Mar. Zamora calls the wellness area a standoutspace. “We have a spa that has transformedone of the worst areas of the hotel (itsbasement) into a beautiful area, once youenter the door offering relaxation in asupreme serene space. The attention todetails incorporating the Arabic star into everydetail is quite prevalent throughout thespace.” It has a 14-meter indoor thermal pool,dry sauna, steam sauna, ice fountain and 24-hour gym.

Tucked in the historic El Calatravaneighborhood of Palma, Mallorca, is the newlyopened El Llorenç Parc de la Mar, a DesignHotel. The 33-room hotel, designed by Swedishdesigner Magnus Ehrland, combines Moorishand Spanish influences in details such as aperpetual star pattern reflected in materialsincluding wood, stone, glass, metal andceramic. The property itself has a history: Duringdemolition of the previous building, remnantsof an Arabic oven from the 11th century, calleda tannur, were found. It was preserved and isnow a part of the hotel’s restaurant, also calledTannur, which offers all-day and al frescodining (the other F&B outlet is Dins, which hasan open kitchen and seating for about 30).

Another highlight space is the three-tiered rooftop with infinity pool, offeringviews of Palma Bay, the old town and thecathedral. All the hotel’s areas employ acolor palette that is warm and neutralwith some bright accents; wood, mostlywalnut, and embossed wallcoverings.Palma’s evolution into a topcity break destination, with livelyshopping and gastronomic options, hasbrought competition to the hotel spaceas well. “With all these changes, there has beenan increased number of boutique hotelsin the city in the last five years,” Zamorasays, citing Hotel Es Princep, SantFrancesc Hotel Singular and BoutiqueHotel Can Alomar. “Due to this highcompetition all hotels must increasetheir efforts into crating a unique andspecialized experience to their guestsand keep their standards and reputationin the top level of the city.”He adds, “There is hard work in the next five to 10years to continue to stand out in theboutique hotel segment, but also forPalma as a top destination – which isnow attracting a vast number of NorthAmerican tourists as well.” Projected ADR is €360 (US$397.80), with80% annual average occupancy.