1902 Townhouse Hotel Review

The clue is in the name when it comes to this boutique hotel which is housed in a majestic old townhouse dating back to 1902. It can be found on a narrow residential street just a short stroll away from the town square, and its handsome blonde stone façade fits in with the surroundings perfectly. The entrance is rather discreet and there’s just a small 1902 sign outside, so you could be forgiven for walking past it without realising it’s there.

After parking up on the street behind and with the help of google maps, we found it easily enough and rang the buzzer. Owner Pete greeted us as we entered a bright and stylish lobby area. Upon first impression, it was clear the building had been recently renovated taking care to preserve much of its traditional charm, from the tiles on the floors right up to the high ceiling with tastefully painted beams and the original doors in between. The mish-mash of vintage furniture combined with more contemporary pieces and Art Deco lights worked together nicely to create a trendy yet relaxed vibe.

We were given a tour of the hotel, starting with the sitting room next to the entrance hall. An elegantly designed room with soft luxury furnishings and wood burner perfect for an evening with your favourite tipple and a book. Back in the lobby, I began to notice the work that had gone into the building. The owners had opened up the downstairs space to make an open-plan ground floor.

A small dining area sat behind the lobby complete with an honesty bar which, upon closer inspection, featured extremely reasonable prices with water, beer and soft drinks starting at €1 and bottles of wine, including some local favourites, priced between €10 and €25. At the back of the building, a stained glass window above the double doors to the courtyard caught my eye, reflecting onto the floor. From the lobby, you could peek through the double doors to a picture-perfect courtyard setting and swimming pool area.

Heading upstairs to our room (room 6) on the 2nd floor, we were handed our key, yet another original feature from the house. The room was spacious and relatively minimalist with incredibly high ceilings, a large double bed in the middle complete with crisp white sheets, and traditional Mallorcan textiles creating a focal point. I loved that the Art Deco lights I had spotted downstairs in the lobby were also used as reading lights on either side of the bed and, being a coffee lover, was also pleased to see that there was even a Nespresso machine in the room.

However, the best part of this room was yet to be discovered. Behind the large doors and shutters, a lovely little balconette and a stunning view across the rooftops and over to a mountain landscape awaited. An armchair and table were cleverly positioned so guests can sit and admire the view. The en-suite bathroom was brand spanking new, featuring a double basin, rain shower and some luxurious ‘meraki’ toiletries.

Pete explained that, during the renovation, whilst the hotel was pretty much completely gutted, they tried to reuse many of the old features by relaying old floors tiles and using old doors. They then carefully infused modern Art Deco furnishings that not only fit in with the house's old character but actually enhanced it. It was clear to me that a lot of love and care had been put into the building.

The hotel offers purely a bed and breakfast service but the owners are extremely knowledgeable about the local area and are more than happy to provide recommendations around town. Down the road, there are a couple of lovely little tapas joints, Ca’n Pintxo and Casa Alvaro. However, we actually decided to travel further afield for our dinner to Luna 36, a pretty courtyard restaurant serving traditional Mallorcan-inspired cuisine along with some international favourites.

On our way there, we passed by the main square just a 5-minute stroll away from the hotel, which it was a hive of activity with families and friends gathering in the many restaurants and bars in town. The famous Gaudiesque Gothic style church acted as the perfect backdrop. Port de Sóller is also easily accessible from the hotel and catching the legendary vintage tram between the town and the port is an absolute must on any trip to Sóller.

Breakfast was a real highlight at this hotel. The owners work in harmony to deliver a first-class three-course breakfast for their guests, with Martin practising his culinary wizardry in the kitchen whilst Pete is serving the tables. During the summer, it is served in the courtyard at the back of the hotel where you are surrounded by lush green plants and lemon trees.

To kick things off, we were offered tea or coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice made, of course, from Soller’s famous oranges. To start, we were presented with a homemade chocolate and coconut granola, served with yoghurt and topped with blueberries. It felt healthy but naughty at the same time. This was followed by Spanish tortilla with peppers, with the option of adding chorizo, a light savoury dish. Even though it was something I wouldn’t normally choose for breakfast, it was still warm from being freshly baked that morning and was one of the best tortillas I've ever tasted. For the finale, we had lemon and ricotta pancakes with a forest fruits compote which stole the show for me. They were buttery but flavoursome and light. After our 3-course breakfast bonanza, we were set up for the day.

This hotel has all the ingredients for a relaxing escape away from the stresses and strains of life thanks to its luxury rooms, courtyard and swimming pool area. Once you step through the front door, there is little sign that you are in fact on the doorstep to all the shops and restaurants the beautiful town of Soller has to offer. It’s worth noting, this isn’t just a summer destination, 1902 Townhouse is open between March and November so, if you are visiting in the spring or autumn, this hotel is an ideal base for walkers and cyclists keen to explore the Serra de Tramuntana range.

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