The word beauty has many senses. In the case of the Mallorquin finca Castell Son Claret, the world beauty, or purity, or yet serenity, hosts ever further facettes and interpretations.
First of all, the surrounding landscape of Castell Son Claret is nearly surrealistically beautiful.
We are in the south-western part of Mallorca, Spain, in a lush valley with olive trees, almond and lemon groves. Camomile, pink orchids and red poppy bloom everywhere. Sheep graze. The valley eagle has already spotted you, if you arrive by foot. And if you are lucky, he may accompany you for a while, high up in the skies.
This is authentic, rural Mallorca. Occational lime stone farmers houses occur here and there, with their traditional roofs covered by half round tapered overlapping mediterranean tiles.
The air is fresh and clear. We are nevertheless 500 meters above sea level, sheltered and fringed by the imposing Tramuntana Mountains.
Then, from the moment you arrive at the palm and rose-lined driveway that frames Castell Son Claret, the fairy-tale chateaux captures your full attention: The grounds are dotted with outbuildings containing some of the 38 rooms and suites, surrounded by small flowering courtyyards, manicured gardens and terraces.
With only the birds singing and the scent of orange blossom and jasmine in ones nostrils, it’s hard to believe that we are only half an hours drive from the island’s capital Palma, and even closer to the sea.
This luxury hotel is renowned for its main restaurant, Zaranda, the only two star Michelin venue in the Balearics, thus an experience in itself. Zaranda serves local produce, hence good for any inner beauty, but in highly refined and artistically presented dishes. More art than anything else, and the reason for many non residencial visitors.
And at Zaranda, dinner starts with unique, handmade cocktails and canapés in the Bar Claret. Visiting in April – by the way a perfect time in the balearics – means that the signature cocktail called Tramontana, created by the hotel’s charismatic mixologist Roberto Muscaridola, is a must. Roberto creates small coctail wonders, decorated with lavendel and herbs from the gardens. Taste is, not surprisingly, exquisit.
Whilst dwelling on locally produced food and beverages, I must mention Son Clarets mediterranean Olivera restaurant, with it’s sun drenched terrace overlooking the pool area and the mountains. Ask for tapas, a selection of the house starters. We just couldn’t stop enjoying the croquettes, tramuntana steak tartar, cured ham with bread and tomatoe-garlic spread and some other unpretentous but ever so neatly presented tapas.
Now, back to beauty: It’s well known that nature walks brings inner wellbeing, hence serenity, and this is the place to have it all. Therefore, one has to enjoy the surrounding landscape and mountains; doing hatha yoga with Sonja, biking on your own or with pro Guido. In general, it’s enough just wandering on the grounds; walking or trecking is a precious joy around Son Claret.
The famous Menorquin hiking path GR221 starts only a few hundred meters outside the hotel. Climbing to the top of nearby Puigpunyent is another must. There is even a seven kilometers path on Son Claret’s own grounds, with amazing and breath taking pastoral views.
If you feel like yet another beauty boost, the hotel spa even offers outdoor treatments, shadowed by olive trees.
Finally, all rooms are modern and comfortable, decorated in a way that emphasises traditional Mallorcan styles and influences but with contemporary touches.
I stayed in the main building, room 203, and slept like a log, which is so precious for any inner well being. Within the garden area, there is a further selection of cottages with quaint patios, one with it’s own plunge pool overlooking the almond groves.
Coming back home after this beauty weekend, I couldn’t tell if my husband will be able to see any physical improvement.
But I do know that a few days at Castell Son Claret filled me with such inner joy and spiritual bounce, that it certainly must transmit some way or the other. At least, I’ll bring all the Son Clarets staff’s hospitality and warm smiles along to my family and friends at home.
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Lottie's World 