A centuries-old manor-type farmhouse on the storied Spanish island of Mallorca is now the Son Bunyola Hotel & Villas, recently opened to guests as part of Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition collection.
The 1,300-acre property was reportedly sold by Branson back in 2002, only to be purchased back by the magnate in 2015. Since then, it seems he’s been busy turning it into the latest resort in his prestigious collection, giving guests easy access to a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Branson is no stranger to the island. He operated the nearby La Residencia until it became a Belmond hotel a few years ago. His return to Mallorcan luxury accommodation seems to be even a step higher, drawing on the immense character of this heritage ‘finca’ (which is what these manor-type farmhouse estates are called in Spain).
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The hotel has just 26 rooms and suites, affording a high staff-to-guest ratio and keeping things nice and private in this hidden part of the island. The building’s historic structures echo the property’s medieval history, with most of the hotel centred around the 13th-century defence tower.
Three of the building’s most impressive areas were turned into grand villas back when Branson first owned the property, taking advantage of the lush surroundings with views of the state’s farmland, orchards, olive grove, and vineyard.
The unique aesthetic comes from native Mallorcan stone, timber and tile, which are used to support the estate’s old structures.
Most impressive are the hotel’s two Tower Suites, one of which is the entire round tower that dates back to the 1930s. As you can see from the photo above, it has a rooftop relaxation area that looks like it’s been ripped from the set of a classic Hollywood film.
Amenities for Son Bunyola Hotel & Villas include a 28-metre outdoor swimming pool, bicycles for guests to rent, a bakery – using the surrounding land and a restaurant with a hyperlocal approach – as well as paddleboards and kayaks on the nearby beach. There even seems to be an area for pickleball, as per current trends.
Nightly rates at Son Bunyola Hotel & Villas start from US$873 (AU$1,288).
