The privileged Palma location of Son Vida – with its luxurious, architect-designed villas, and three championship golf courses (Son Vida, Son Muntaner, and Son Quint) – is also home to the majestic Castillo Hotel Son Vida.

I have a particular fondness for this 5-star hotel set on a 13th-century estate high above Mallorca’s capital, although the reason for this is slightly embarrassing. When I was (much, much) younger, I had my first holiday in Mallorca and fell in love with the island. I still cringe when I remember that I wrote – in English! – to the Castillo Hotel Son Vida to enquire about any possible secretarial vacancies.

Needless to say, I didn’t need to pack my passport and bags after that for a new life in the sun, but every time I go to the hotel for any reason, I remember my youthful, naive hopefulness.

Surprisingly, I’ve never stayed overnight in the Castillo Hotel de Son Vida, but I’ve used the spa, attended functions, and eaten in its restaurants over the years. Whenever I arrive, the first glimpse of the view from this lofty location always quickens my heartbeat.

New Restaurant, Es Balcó de Son Vida

The hotel launched its new adults-only restaurant, Es Balcó de Son Vida, in late April; a couple of weeks later, we ate there.

The international design studio EMCI has transformed the original space – using terrazzo, marble, linen, and wood – into a fresh, light, and contemporary restaurant. The front part is described as a winter garden, filled with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. In warmer weather, these windows open fully to give the sensation of a dining on a balcony, with views across to Palma and the Bay of Palma. I loved the décor, the comfortable chairs (so important when sitting for a couple of hours over a meal), the tableware, and the Robert Welch cutlery.

The Chef, David Mendez

David Mendez is at the helm of the Es Balcó kitchen. Born in Madrid, he’s been in Mallorca for 25 years. Before he moved to the Castillo late last year, he was at Mallorca’s Cap Rocat hotel, but his career also includes working at the original DINS by Santi Taura in Lloseta, before that restaurant moved to Palma.

David’s culinary talent was recognised last year when he won the annual Oleotapa competition.He’s passionate about original Mallorcan recipes, seasonality, and sustainability. The latter is important because the Castillo Hotel Son Vida holds the important ‘Green Key’ certification.

The Cuisine

Es Balcó de Son Vida offers an interesting-looking à la carte and two tasting menus. We opted for the smaller of the tasting menus (5 courses for 90€). David’s cuisine is described as Mediterranean with a contemporary Mallorcan touch.

After good bread and a complimentary hors d’oeuvre, the first course arrived: the deliciously fresh Mallorcan summer salad known as ‘trampó’, served with mussels and escabeche (the latter was poured at the table). David’s passion for fish was evident in the cooking and presentation of the dentex served on a pil pil sauce with samphire and a foam of fermented beetroot (fermentation done in David’s kitchen). Between these two courses we had a delicious dish based on an old Mallorcan recipe, combining veal and fish – a more traditional interpretation of ‘surf and turf’.

We enjoyed each of the dishes we had and were impressed by the dessert’s homage to the pine trees around the property.

As you’d expect in a hotel of this calibre, service was immaculate under the direction of Alejandro, the maître d’ that night.

Verdict

We loved the tastes, textures, and visual appeal of David’s cuisine. This is a restaurant to choose for special occasions, date nights, and when you want to gaze upon Palma from the hills above the city, while savouring a memorable dinner.

Es Balcó de Son Vida is open for dinner daily, from 7pm until 10pm.

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ntbzRHg2piwXh4jF8

STOP PRESS

Castillo Hotel Son Vida has been named a Finalist in the ELLE Travel Awards 2026 in the category ‘Lost in Vacation’. Good luck!