Luxurious Mallorca Accommodation with Tennis Sessions led by Richard Branson, priced at 1000 euros per night.
The Son Bunyola Hotel & Villas, nestled in Mallorca, is the latest addition to Sir Richard Branson's lavish hospitality empire. This self-made billionaire extends a gracious welcome, challenging our author to engage in a friendly game of tennis before relaxing in the opulent, yet laid-back atmosphere.
This enchanting estate, located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Serra de Tramuntana on Mallorca, encompasses a hotel and three villas spread across a serene, secluded 1300-hectare plot. The "Son Bunyola Hotel & Villas" stands out due to its owner's innovative entrepreneurship and vision, turning him into a multiple billionaire.
Branson's list of luxurious holiday retreats stretches beyond continents, with properties like the private island villa Branson Beach Estate on Moskito Island, the Moroccan Atlas Mountains' Kasbah Tamadot, and the safari lodge Ulusaba on the Kruger National Park's edge. These treasures are all part of the "Virgin Limited Edition" under Branson's "Virgin Group of Business Ventures".
Frankly, it's shocking that a word like "limited" even appears in a business owned by someone like Branson, who seems to have no limits in both his professional and personal life. It's almost taken for granted that his properties are among the best on the planet.
Perfect in every sense
Without a doubt, the hotel, which opened in summer 2023, is flawless in both style and substance. My journey, approximately 45 minutes from bustling Palma to the quiet Banyalbufar in the Tramuntana Mountains' western valley, is scenic. I wind along narrow roads, marvel at the sea cliffs, and pass ancient olive trees growing older as I approach the estate. Nestled in a unique and picturesque corner of Mallorca, the estate's entrance is somewhat discreet, leading down a mountain path, providing my first glimpse of the tropical garden at its heart. The hotel, with only 27 rooms and several suites, sits at the garden's center, and three free-standing luxury villas are part of the estate as well.
Guests feel the weight of history everywhere. The hotel is a beautifully restored and expanded 16th-century Finca, with many original architectural features preserved. It took Branson years to bring this dream to life. He bought the property in 1994, faced various challenges with building permits, sold it again, but the dream lingered, and in 2015 he repurchased it – and got to work.
The Spanish studio Gras Architects took two years to restore stone arches and coffered ceilings. Inside, Rialto Living integrated Mallorcan artworks into the interior.
The Tower Suites boast their own rooftop terraces.
The Rooms, each unique, are decorated in the Mallorcan style, featuring warm colors, noble fabrics, and materials that exude tranquility. I can tell they've been carefully restored and renovated.
Two towers, one from the 13th century, host the Tower Suites with their own rooftop terraces. The restaurant "Sa Tafona" was born from the former olive press. The historical terrace now houses the pool.
For added privacy, there are the three villas named "Sa Punta de S'Aguila", "Sa Terra Rotja", and "Son Balagueret". They span three floors, offer up to five bedrooms with En-Suite Bathrooms, and have their own pools. "Sa Punta de S'Aguila" can accommodate up to ten people on around 700 square meters.
Yes, the spa is cozy, but there's no shortage of activities. A short ride with the hotel's shuttle brings you to the sea, or golf outings can be arranged in nearby locations. Catering is available in two restaurants. The "Sa Terrassa" aligns perfectly with the house's design concept: Wine racks are thoughtfully integrated, lighting creates a conducive ambiance, and fabrics fall as they should. Inside, I sense that the interior designer spent countless hours contemplating every square millimeter. Everything is right, everything is beautiful, and aesthetically pleasing, even down to the two large palm trees that welcome me at the restaurant's entrance.
Open, accessible, neighborly, very personal
What sets it apart from many comparable establishments is the owner. While it took him so long to make "Son Bunyola" a reality, he often completes his ventures in record time. In 1986, this pioneer of the upper class sailed across the Atlantic Ocean at record speed. A few years later, he was the first to cross the Atlantic and Pacific in a hot air balloon. In the summer of 2021, the British decided to join the "Space Race of the Billionaires". As the first man, Branson soared into space with his own space travel company Virgin Galactic, leaving his billionaire counterparts Musk and Bezos in awe.
Visiting "Son Bunyola," I stumble upon Richard Branson himself. He's like one of the guests, sociable and talkative, moving from table to table, chatting up folks, and welcoming new arrivals repeatedly. He even extends a friendly "High Five" to enthusiastic supporters. Branson proposes a game of chess, eventually adding some tennis matches to the mix.
This man exudes openness, friendliness, and a relaxed atmosphere - traits mirrored in his hotel management. Unlike his stiff-upper-lip counterparts with similar quality establishments, Branson sets a new standard for hospitable hospitality. Those competitors could learn a thing or two from his innovative approach to excellent hotel management. Our encounter with this visionary was unforgettable for me, a veteran of encountering many impressive individuals. I'll be back to "Son Bunyola." to reconnect with the man behind the dream.
Rat's Travel Rating (current rating highlighted):
- Top-Notch Movie Experience
- If only life were always this dreamy
- Above Average, with some minor flaws
- Average, not mind-blowing
- Better than a budget motel
- Travel Caution Advised
*Author's Profile: Carsten K. Rath, a former luxury hotelier and founder of the travel platform www.travelgrand.ch, is a seasoned globetrotter. He personally inspects each hotel he writes about for ntv.de.
*Ratth is the brainchild of the rankings at www.die-101-besten.com and also the author of the upcoming book "The 101 Best Hotels in Germany," which will be published in collaboration with "Capital."
