Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa review: understated luxury on the once-remote side of Mallorca

Imagine coming across Dubai-standard luxury amidst the rugged Mediterranean landscapes of Mallorca, largest of Spain’s Balearic islands.

This was the vision behind the Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa, set at the base of the Unesco World Heritage Tramuntana Mountains, running along the north-western coast of Mallorca.

Until just two decades ago, the switchback roads and hairpin bends created by those very mountains meant that Sóller was cut off from the rest of Mallorca. The construction of the Sóller road tunnel cut through the slopes and opened up the orange valley to eager cyclists and other adventurers.

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It was here that the Jumeirah Group, famed for their extravagant portfolio of luxury hotels in the Middle East, created the modernist yet unobtrusively low-rise hotel that now stretches artfully across 18,000 square metres of the cliffs overlooking the ocean.

The spectacular views, of the Mediterranean on one side, and the Tramuntana Mountains on the other, are spread democratically between the 121 rooms, three outdoor pools, three restaurants and two bars.

‘Tequila Sunrises’ and sunsets

From any of the eleven white-washed buildings containing luxurious rooms with private terraces, guests ascend a central staircase lined with wild olive trees and red bougainvillea to reach the much-photographed infinity pool, set 110m above sea-level.

Choosing from the extensive cocktail menu, including locally-made gins, required careful attention, and in the end we plumped for succulent Sóller orange juice mixed with tequila, to soak up the first sunset of our stay.

Luckily, as dusk fell, we were just a few steps from the balcony of the hotel’s destination restaurant, Es Fanals by Javier Soriano. There we were welcomed with freshly baked breads accompanied by locally sourced extra virgin olive oil and natural salt from nearby Es Trenc, followed by world-class Spanish tapas and signature mains that included a new range vegetarian and vegan dishes specially developed under the expert direction of Madrid-born chef Javier Soriano.

We enjoyed several other sunset dinners during our stay. There was the Mediterranean-inspired menu at Cap Roig Brasserie, featuring a wide selection of meat dishes along with the daily “fish market” offering, set on a patio beside the glamorous but children-friendly pool. There was also the Sunset Sushi Lounge, with the light offerings one naturally craves on this sunny isle.

A spa with a spectacular view

Our favourite sunset was from the heated outdoor Hydropool with stunning views over the Tramuntana Mountains, which forms part of the Talise Spa.

The Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa boasts a twenty-four hour gym fitted with Technogym equipment, a yoga studio, an extensive thermal area with a sauna and Hammam Suite including a dimly-lit steam room infused with Himalayan Sea Salt. There are also ten spacious treatment rooms stocked with products from Natura Bissé.

It was easy to see why Talise Spa has been celebrated by the World Spa Awards. In 2018 they were named ‘Spain’s Best Hotel Spa,’ for the fourth year in a row.

Experiences above all else

For the 2019 season, Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa has unveiled a new collection of ‘unique experiences’. For thrill-seekers there is a private speed-boat tour of the extraordinary Cabreran sea caves of the Cabrera National Park, a sunset sailboat trip to the rugged northern coastal regions, and an aeroplane experience which passes by the infamous Love Island villa.

For fitness fiends, Mallorca is the mecca of European cycling, with over 150,000 cycling tourists visiting the island every per year. The 110km Tramuntana Costal Road running from Pollensa in the north, past Sóller, to Andratx in the south, is arguably the most spectacular cycling route on Mallorca; climbing 2,520 metres at its highest point.

For those who seek out local artists’ wares and keepsakes, take the island’s first electric tram from the charmingly other-worldly Port of Sóller, into the charming town of Sóller. Along the way you can steal glances into homely Catalan courtyards and lemon groves.

For the gastronomically inclined, there is gin tasting experience, a culinary masterclass, a guest chef series with Mallorcan chefs, and a ‘Hike & Wine’ experience that leads guests on a magical medieval hike along the renowned Cami des Correu trail to the historic city of Banyalbufar.

The healing properties of olive oil

Our favourite experience was a private tour of Son Moragues’ olive groves. Strolling along dry stone walling, through uniquely twisted trees planted more than 800 years ago, we learned of the pioneering land custodianship project that combines age-old cultivation techniques with the latest technologies to create the award-winning extra virgin olive oil, Oli Es Roquissar.

In a beautifully restored stone hut, we were treated to a feast including fresh goat’s cheese, artisanal jams, quince jelly, and pan con tomate, as well as the art of olive oil tasting.

“Full-bodied with a distinct personality” seemed to be the consensus - both with respect to the olive oil and the Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa experience.

Double rooms at the Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa start from £267 per night on a bed and breakfast basis.For more information on the experiences, or to make a reservation, call +34 971 637 888 or email: jpsreservations@jumeirah.com

Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa is a 40 minute drive from Palma de Mallorca Airport.

Jet2.com provides friendly low fares, great flight times, and a 22kg baggage allowance. Flights operate all year-round from London Stansted Airport to Majorca, with multiple daily flights during the Summer. Flights start from £34 one way including taxes. For more information please visit www.jet2.com or call 0800 408 5599.