Hotel of the Week: Aubamar Palma Resort

As the UK heats up, you’d be forgiven for daydreaming about a summer trip. Aperol on the Italian Riviera, Rosé in the hills of Provence, or perhaps this year, Sangria with a sea view in Mallorca. I recently jetted to the Spanish isle to sample the new Aubamar Palma Resort for a spring sojourn.

As Mallorca continues to soar in popularity as a visitor destination, Aubamar Palma Resort is putting Playa de Palma firmly on the map as one of the island’s hottest places to stay. Opening its doors in March, the resort, which is the amalgamation of three former Aubamar hotels, marks an exciting new chapter for the property. Having recently been upgraded to a five-star rating, it's cemented its position as one of the area's most prestigious addresses

Aubamar Palma Resort offers a refined blend of relaxed beachfront living and sophisticated resort comfort with the vibrant city atmosphere of Palma de Mallorca just a stone’s throw away. It’s just 300 metres from the beach, five minutes from the international airport and ten minutes from the heart of the Balearic capital, so the hotel complex is perfectly positioned for travellers seeking a seamless holiday experience.

The Rooms

Following an investment of €25 million, no expense has been spared to ensure the suites are more than up to scratch. Spanning three buildings and 495 guest rooms, there’s a sleek scale to the resort. Of course, of those guest rooms, it’s the 11 suites, hosted in their own area and with a sea view, that are the best. That’s precisely where I lay my hat for the weekend.

The most impressive feature of the room has to be the expansive terrace. Not only do you have stunning views of Playa de Palma, as advertised, but also sweeping views of the town and the expansive resort gardens – all to be enjoyed from the comfort of a private sun lounger. For a real dose of indulgence, there’s also an outdoor whirlpool tub, perfect for sundowners and a soak.

The suite itself is spacious to say the least. The beds are huge and there are two bathrooms, meaning there’s room for four people if you are travelling with children. If you opt to stay à deux or even solo, you can luxuriate in the space without ever feeling you have to share it.

In the hotel’s design, spearheaded by Phillipe Pollard, there’s an obvious nod to the Aubamar’s Mediterranean home, seen in the bamboo chairs, large leaf plants and linen curtains, lending it a sense of airiness. The granite floor, minimalist art and pendant bedside lights, however, provide a modern edge. As do the two enormous TVs, making it well-designed, well-equipped and perfect to settle into for a long weekend.

The Food and Drink

Gastronomy lies at the heart of the resort. Led by a market cuisine philosophy, everything on the menus – at the two restaurants and five bars – has been designed to showcase the local Balearic cuisine.

The main offering is the Algust Restaurant, situated in the Suites building. Here you have a sophisticated, produce-forward menu, packed with plenty of Spanish-inspired dishes – think confit Iberian pork fillet, grilled octopus and the incredibly comforting fried eggs with lobster, padrón peppers and chips. For something more relaxed and enjoyed at your own pace, there’s the Aldente restaurant, which turns buffet dining into a sport. With such a rich variety, you’ll need to draw up a pre-meal strategy to make sure you have space to try as much as possible.

Aubamar Palma Resort’s piece de résistance is the Aubamar Rooftop, found atop the Tower building making it the highest rooftop in Playa de Palma with sweeping views of the Mediterranean’s turquoise waters and golden beaches as well as panoramic vistas of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Serra de Tramuntana Mountain Range. Divided into two sections and with occasional live music from local DJs, the Aubamar Rooftop offers the perfect setting to sit below the orange glow of the setting sun with a Sangría or Soller Spritz in hand.

The Spa

As you’ll have gathered by now, there’s nothing boutique about the Aubamar Palma Resort. So, it’ll be unsurprising that the spa is also extensive. But it’s been designed to impress rather than intimidate. In the Suites building alone, there are 440 m² dedicated to thermal showers, a Turkish bath, a cold-water pool, and several saunas with different levels of humidity and temperature to suit your specific taste. This is also the place to come for spa treatments like massages, lymphatic draining, facials, reflexology and more.

Across the resort, there are ten pools to choose from, each serving a different need. If you’re looking for an invigorating swim, head to the Tower building to try the semi-Olympic pool. For more general sun-soaking, the main pool is where we recommend you park yourself. Settle into a Balinese sun bed and let the hours drift by, with incredibly attentive service and a chilled drink never far from reach.

Conferences and Events

The Aubamar Palma Resort isn’t just a holiday destination; it also has the capacity to host corporate events and conferences thanks to Aubamar Convention Centre. Here, you have a versatile collection of meeting rooms, ranging from intimate boardrooms to expansive event spaces equipped with cutting-edge audiovisual technology – all just metres from the beach!

Who's Who

Founder and CEO of Aubamar Hotels, Onofre Pascual, is the driving force behind the hotel’s opening and the positioning of Playa de Palma as a premium destination.

Top Tips for Your Stay

Two top tips for your stay. First, consider visiting in the off-season. Aubamar Palma Resort actively champions sustainable travel by encouraging guests to spread their visits beyond the summer rush - and with service and standards remaining consistently high year-round, there's every reason to do so. A winter, spring or autumn break means quieter beaches, sun when you need it most and the knowledge you’re putting money directly into the local economy when the island needs it most.

The second is to make full use of the kids’ club. Unlike many luxury hotels, there’s no extra cost to use it, so parents can properly switch off guilt-free.

Visit the Aubamar Palma Resort aubamar.com