Balearic Islands holidays: best hotels for a blissful island break

I used to think Ibiza was only about oversized clubs and all-night dancing, so my 30-year-old self was relieved when I realised an Ibiza break did not come with obligatory raving. That’s not to say the quieter side of the island doesn’t offer plenty of plus points.

Ibiza’s most stylish visitors head for Santa Gertrudis. It’s a relaxed town in the heart of the countryside and is the island’s foodie capital, whether you want rustic Mediterranean, vegan junk food or plant-based cuisine that looks too pretty to eat.

The Gatzara Suites is the place to stay. It’s a light and bright whitewashed Finca filled with Scandi chic decor. The rooms feel nice and private, but the real gem is the rooftop pool and bar, where they serve a mean cocktail accompanied by a stellar view across the landscape.

Majorca has seen such a shakeup lately, it’s now as stylish as neighbouring Ibiza, and has some of the Balearics’ best white sandy beaches. The Fontsanta sits in the south and is a soul searching haven on the sands. It’s found next to Es Salobrar, where salt flats, wetlands and white sands make up one of Mallorca’s most beautiful beaches.

This hotel boasts the only thermal waters across the Balearic Islands, so that means dips in the hot springs year-round. That’s if you can tear yourself away from the pool, where huge white day beds provide the perfect place to soak up some sunshine. Ask to book a private jacuzzi session for two, it’s perks like this that make Mallorca the best Balearic island for couples that want a bit of luxury.

Hotel Mama puts you right in the middle of it the city. It’s a jaw-dropping hotel with too many heavenly interiors even for Instagram (trust me, I have hundreds of photos to prove it). And if that isn’t enough, there’s a rooftop pool here—exactly what you want from a hotel in the heart of a city.

There’s also a spa, a pretty courtyard and a cinema. It might be a bad culture vulture choice as you may never want to leave, but if you can tear yourself away, the surrounding streets of the Old Town are a sightseeing dream.

I love a mooch around an old ruin or a country estate, so a trip to Menorca’s Can Faustino was the ultimate escape for me. It’s a hotel set in an old 16th-century palace that has been renovated with lots of modern design touches but also has that lovely rustic Balearic Islands feel.

The hotel sits in Ciudadela, a cultural gem of a town with lots of those narrow medieval streets that just beg for slow afternoons spent wandering around and getting lost amidst all the history.

That’s not to say there isn’t space for relaxation here. You can lap up the luxury surrounds on sun loungers set across Can Faustino’s pretty garden patios. A chic swimming pool provides a fine place for a dip, while the indoor spa feels like it’s hidden in an underground cavern. Make sure you head to the patio for an evening aperitif as the sun sets.

La Torre blends that rocky, rugged Ibiza countryside vibe with a position just outside the famed buzzing San Antonio. It’s the perfect spot if you fancy a few club nights but want to be away from the action—it’s only a short taxi ride from some of the biggest clubs on the island. It’s also a great spot if you’re searching for the best place to stay on the Balearic island for families, as there is plenty to do in San Antonio besides clubbing—from water park visits and zip lining to paddle boarding and cave tours.

By day, La Torre is a real beach escape. Perched on a cliff just moments from the sand, it’s renowned for its stunning sunsets and pared-back Balearic spirit. There’s a restaurant here that’s popular with visitors for watching the sunset, its cliffside terrace puts you in the perfect spot to drool over that pink sky.

Formentera is the perfect spot if you want your fill of sunshine, good food and great rose, and even better if you fancy some yoga in the morning and a cocktail come sunset. Known for its hippy vibe, this was the place people came to relax after too much time spent in Ibiza. It’s now a destination of its very own, where you’ll find effortlessly stylish restaurants, bars and hotels all over the place, quite the pick if you want a laid back all-inclusive holiday in the Balearic islands.

If you’re searching for paradise you’ll find it on Playa Migjorn beach, where Gecko Beach Club juts from the white sands. This hotel is a relaxing haven of calming rooms, some even boast their own plunge pools and day beds. Mornings here are filled with yoga and long and lazy breakfasts overlooking the ocean… bliss.

The sleepiest island of the Balearics, Menorca is my favourite place for rural retreats that give you the space to switch off from the world and get some downtime. Torralbenc popped up as the island’s first luxury boutique hotel. Found in a cluster of old Spanish Finca buildings, it oozes a minimalist meets rustic farmhouse feel and has everything you might want from a hotel in the middle of nowhere.

It’s no surprise that Torralbenc’s signature smell is lavender and rosemary, there’s a serene mood as soon as you take your first breath here. The calm atmosphere is felt from every angle, from the rolling countryside views and glimpses of the sea to the surrounding landscape of lavender bushes and vineyards. There’s even a wild tortoise or two in the garden, life is slow-paced around here.

Rooms are fresh and whitewashed, with muted tones and a relaxed vibe. The Pool Cottage is the gem at Torralbenc, it comes with a private plunge pool and a small garden.

That said, you don’t need your own plunge pool with an infinity pool in the grounds. It’s flanked by loungers and palms and you can order drinks at the push of a button: exactly what you want from a Balearics bolthole.