A boutique hotel displaying copies of Architectural Digest and Monocle in its lounge and guest rooms must be confident that its design will stand up to comparison with the stylish images featured in such design-focused publications.

Mallorca’s new boutique adults-only hotel, Can Aulí Luxury Retreat, brims with confidence in its design. It’s evident from the moment you enter this 21-bedroom property, located in a quiet street in the charming town of Pollensa in the north of Mallorca. Can Aulí Luxury Retreat is the first boutique hotel outside Palma de Mallorca for the IT Mallorca Unique Spaces group.

The noble 17th-century building would now be unrecognisable to the Pollensa doctor who used to call the place home. The redevelopment of the property has respectfully preserved many of the traditional Mallorcan architectural features – such as the handsome stone arches – combined with 21st-century comforts and design features and some interesting artworks by local artists. It’s gorgeous.

Natural materials, such as local stone and wood, and muted colours give the rooms (and the hotel’s public areas) a restful as well as luxurious ambience. But luxury wasn’t the only consideration in the creation of this stylish Pollensa boutique hotel. Sustainability was important: for example, the paint used in the hotel was ecological.

Our Stay

Although we arrived on a day threatening rain, we were able to sip the glass of cava, offered as a welcome drink, on the Gastrobar’s outdoor terrace. As we relaxed – it doesn’t take long at Can Aulí Luxury Retreat – our bag was delivered to our room.

We stayed in Room 22 (the hotel has no room number 13). This junior suite has a view of the large courtyard garden, which has a tempting swimming pool. Beyond the property’s ivy-covered wall we could see a mountain and villas on the wooded hillside. It was a reminder that Pollensa is an excellent base for anyone who wants to drive into the UNESCO World Heritage Site Serra de Tramuntana.

I was pleased to find no capsule-coffee-making machine in our room but, instead, a Kitchen Aid kettle (another example of the high quality at Can Aulí Luxury Retreat). No environmentally unfriendly capsules here: we had sachets of Illy coffee and an impressive choice of organic teas. The two mugs provided for our hot drinks were made by island ceramicist, Jaume Roig (his work is also a key feature in the hotel lounge area). If you prefer, you can help yourself to hot drinks from the smart machine in Gastrobar’s open kitchen at any time.

Our spacious bathroom was fitted with chic copper-finish taps, and a walk-in shower as well as a bathtub – something that’s becoming less common in new boutique hotels. Amenities are organic and the travel kit provided is made from bamboo.

The Gastro Bar

The town of Pollensa has a good choice of restaurants but it’s worth trying the organic food in Can Aulí Luxury Retreat’s Gastro Bar. The menu offers snacks, a choice of breads, spoon dishes, sandwiches, tapas and sharing plates and, of course, desserts.

We shared three dishes: guacamole with corn chips and seasonal tomatoes with tuna belly and Kalamata olives, and apple tatin with vanilla ice cream. All delicious. Vegans and gluten-free diners have a plentiful choice here.

Breakfast

A surprisingly varied buffet breakfast is available at Can Aulí Luxury Retreat, which includes local products, a variety of breads, and cooked food if wanted. Covid safety measures meant pointing to the items we wanted on the other side of the now ubiquitous Perspex screen, which were then plated for us. Slices of different breads and pastries were each presented in compostable paper bags. It all felt very safe in these unnerving times.

Good to Know

• Can Aulí Luxury Retreat doesn’t have its own car park, but a large, free car park is less than five minutes’ walk away. You can always drop your luggage at the hotel first.

• The hotel offers a number of pampering wellness and spa treatments, using organic products. It’s recommended that you book these in advance (the treatments menu is available on the website).

• Can Aulí Luxury Retreat would make a perfect base to enjoy some of the social-and-cultural events for which the north Mallorcan town is known. And if you love to browse for a bargain or something local, Pollensa’s weekly Sunday morning market is a must.

Jan Edwards © 2020