Is This the Best Hotel in Mallorca?

Four Seasons Formentor might have taken over a historic hotel, but its re-opening marked a fresh start. 

When Hotel Formentor opened in 1929 in a remote corner of Mallorca, the only way to arrive was by boat. With no road in sight, it became a bohemian hideout drawing artists, writers and the occasional royal couple (Grace Kelly and Rainier III honeymooned there). Its glow dimmed over decades, ownership changed hands in 2020 and the site reopened as Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor in late 2024.

Hotel Formentor has a rich, eccentric backstory, but you wouldn’t know it visiting today. The main building was torn down and rebuilt, much to the local council’s dismay, who accused the owning company of breaching its planning permission and issued a large fine. An inauspicious start, but that acrimony largely dissipated once the new design, which closely resembles the original, rose from the ashes.

Anyone hoping to find a sense of history here will be disappointed, but in its place, they’ll find a striking piece of manicured luxury on the shores of Pollença Bay. The view, spare the odd superyacht, remains just as naturally beautiful as it was for the Prince and Princess of Monaco in 1956.

The main building’s whitewash façade and terracotta roof tiles sit in dense woodland as if it has always been there. Inside, it is signature Four Seasons sophistication: clean lines, marble lobbies, showcase chandeliers, and polished service. Yes, this place may have enough history to fill a book, but that chapter is closed. This is a fresh start.

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Stay

There is now a road to the hotel, but guests can still arrive by boat. A nod to the hotel’s past, yes, but guests were quick to coin it as their White Lotus moment, a far more modern reference to the TV series filmed at Four Seasons hotels. It’s a popular choice with guests, not only for the sense of occasion, but to cut out the long and winding mountain road often monopolized by cyclists.

Whichever way you get there, you’ll be staying in one of 110 rooms or suites. That’s a reduction from the previous hotel (127), a deliberate ploy by Four Seasons to increase the exclusivity with big standard rooms and a higher density of suites.

There are six different room categories and eight different suites, and the interiors are broadly similar – natural woods, neutral marble, and plush furniture. In fact, the only differentiator you need to pay attention to is whether you have an unbroken sea view or not. You want the view, even if it means sacrificing the terrace and plunge pool that comes with most garden rooms.

The Royal Suite is the hotel’s top key and naturally offers the best perspective of the bay. At 1,356-sq-ft, it’s not the ultra-private, never-have-to-leave kind of suite. You’ll need to head down to the pool, and the beach, to make the most of the hotel’s location. The hotel plans for this by offering a dedicated pool cabana and front-row sun loungers at the beach for Royal Suite guests.

That’s not to say the Royal Suite is small – far from it. It has a large living space, dining area, and a sun terrace with loungers and a jetted tub. It can also be extended up to two and three bedrooms for larger groups.

If you don’t need the extra bedrooms, we’d recommend the Formentor Suite. It’s only slightly smaller at 1,098 sq ft, but has a far greater sense of space, welcomed through walls of windows that slide back.

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Dine

Being in such a remote corner of Mallorca, the restaurant selection is crucial to the hotel’s long-term success. You can forgive them for playing it safe, then, with restaurants that offer broad appeal.

You’ll find most families in Mel, a Mediterranean restaurant offering Spanish-inspired dishes and same-day catches from local fishermen. Our visit coincided with a delivery of freshly caught blue lobster, which we had grilled with French fries. It’s the kind of elevated comfort food that Four Seasons resorts tend to do so well – and they did here.

The best local offering is on the drinks menu, though: a rosé made with grapes from the hotel’s vineyard, which was included in the 2020 purchase. It paired beautifully with the lobster, and best of all, it is only available at the hotel.

Shima is a typical Japanese Peruvian fusion restaurant tailored for adults, although children are permitted. It offers an Omakase menu that sticks to convention but delivers on quality. Down by the beach, Llum i Sal is an al fresco restaurant specializing in local fish and seafood. It was still under construction during our visit and opened in late summer 2025.

Relax

The most relaxing place in the hotel is by one of its two pools. There is a large family pool and a smaller adults-only infinity pool. You’ll find ample sun loungers, attentive service, complimentary water and snacks, and service from the elevated beach bar Quiosc.

The spa is small compared to the hotel’s large footprint, but it still has seven treatment rooms, a sauna, steam room, and a 24-hour gym. We’d recommend a wellness experience that makes the most of the hotel’s beautiful surroundings, like the seafront meditation sessions or a walk with one of the hotel’s mindfulness experts.

Explore

Formentor is a beautiful part of the world, and the hotel encourages guests to get out and explore it. The historic lighthouse, which sits at Cap de Formentor, is close by and the hotel hosts guided hikes to and from. Cycling is hugely popular in Mallorca, and the hotel is at the bottom of one of the island’s most popular climbs. The hotel hosts guided cycling tours, including bike rental, for the fitness inclined.

The beach, with its crystal-clear waters, is also essential visiting, particularly those with children. It’s not private and weekends in peak season can be busy, but there are plenty of Four Seasons sun loungers, so you’ll never want for space.

Why trust our recommendation

Elite Traveler’s editors review hotels through a combination of first-hand experience and rigorous, in-depth research. Our curation spans the world’s most revered luxury properties as well as lesser-known, in-the-know addresses – each selected for uncompromising standards, exceptional service, and access to unparalleled experiences.

Formentor Suite from $7,000 per night; fourseasons.com