Son Julia Country House Hotel Review

This particular hotel is drenched in history and I love the traditional features that can be found in every nook and cranny. One of my favourite spots which I discovered on my last trip, is the 300-year old rambling garden which separates the house from the main swimming pool, it’s a tropical haven of shady terraces full of plants and trees.

Since the end of last year, I noticed the hotel has seen some improvements including a revamp of the spa area, some extra attention to detail in the garden and, last but certainly not least, the highly anticipated new ‘Terraced Suites’. These latest additions mean the Son Julia Country House Hotel now has 29 individually decorated rooms.

Unfortunately, the suites were just a week away from completion so I wasn’t able to stay in one but was given the opportunity to take a sneak peek. And, wow, am I glad I did! The enormous rooms elegantly combine the ancient architecture of the 15th-century mansion with modern 21st-century features to create stylish state-of-the-art rooms. The best bits for me were the refurbished stone arched ceilings, along with the sleek open-plan shower and vanity areas. There’s also the fact that each room claims its own ground floor terrace in a quiet area around the back of the house.

We had booked one of the ‘Superior Terrace’ hotel rooms for the night and, as I walked in, the first thing I noticed was the evening glow of the sunlight penetrating through the double doors. I went straight over to open them and found a table and chairs outside, perfect for an evening sundowner before dinner which, of course, we couldn’t resist.

The room – similar to the ‘Superior Room’ comprises of a light, large room with a soothing neutral palette of stone, champagne, beige and yellow which work together to create a cosy atmosphere. Traditional furnishings, including a bed with a beautiful upholstered headboard, a chic corner chair and lovely long curtains are mixed with some contemporary fixtures like modern lamps and an LED television, to create a classically stylish and luxurious setting. Of course, the addition of complimentary toiletries, high-speed internet access, a minibar and air conditioning come with each room and are compulsory for a 5-star experience.

The main swimming pool can be found at the back of the gardens, in front of the entrance to the house. We sat there for a short while before the sun went down. Most of the hotel guests had retreated to their rooms to freshen up for dinner which meant we could catch the last rays of the day in complete silence, a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of city life. The swimming pool is large, with a good selection of cranberry-coloured sun beds, and a conveniently placed poolside bar. So, you can grab some lunch or an afternoon snack without travelling too far away from the comfort of your sun lounger. The Agapanto Bistro has a wide choice of international dishes to choose from, with trendy food like ‘Salmon tartare’ and ‘Burrata’ to popular classics like ‘Chicken Caesar salad’ as well as Mallorcan inspired dishes like ‘Crystal bread with tomatoes’ or a ‘Trio of tapas’.

As the sun began to go down, we decided to visit the spa where we could get better acquainted with the brand new wood panelling around the pool walls. This area is a peaceful place and, thanks to the hot tub, sauna and spa, we were more than equipped for some much-needed rest and rehabilitation before getting ready for dinner.

Dinner was a 3-course banquet. Las Bovedas Restaurant provides a refined dining experience where, using fresh local ingredients, chef Roberto Diez creates stunning Mediterranean dishes along with inspiration from some popular international cuisine. The menu features dishes like ‘Majorcan pork Dim Sum with shitake mushrooms and an apple soy sauce’ and ‘Grilled octopus with creamy potatoes, black olives and paprika oil’ as starters, then ‘Grilled turbot with sugar snap peas, pak choi and lemon balm sauce’ and ‘Majorcan lamb roasted with rosemary, potatoes and glazed shallots’ for the main event. Sweet treats like ‘Molten chocolate cake with strawberries and passion fruit sorbet’ or ‘Crême Brûlée with fruits of the forest’ might tempt you for dessert. Please read my most recent ‘Las Bovedas Restaurant’ review for a more detailed description of my dining experience.

Breakfast is always a highlight on a visit to a hotel but Son Julia Country House Hotel more than delivers thanks to its splendid setting and the range of options available. It was warm enough to eat outside on the terrace even at 08:00 in the morning, and it was simply superb to listen to the sound of the birds singing around us. The lovely breakfast manager was once again a familiar face, she delivered a happy smile and first-class service, the perfect way to start the day.

Like last time, she offered us the option of various sorts of coffee and eggs served whichever way we preferred, pancakes were also on the menu if you have a sweet tooth. I opted for scrambled eggs with bacon which came with a piece of grilled tomato on the side. The breakfast buffet had everything you could possibly imagine from an assortment of bread, meat, cheese, fruit, nuts, yoghurt, cereal – you name it! After devouring almost everything on my various plates, I was more than set up for the day to come.

Being just a short 15-minute drive from Mallorca’s one and only Palma’s Sant Joan airport, the hotel is the perfect destination for a short rural retreat or a longer summer holiday escape. Being a historic building, its full of character and, each time I visit, I find more exciting dimensions to this hotel. This time I discovered a lovely little chapel just off the reception area and some ancient wagon wheels in the gardens.

I am certain the new ‘Superior Terrace’ hotel rooms will be extremely popular this summer, particularly amongst families with young children due to their space. So, if you are reading this and are tempted by the sound of these rooms, make sure you book well in advance to avoid disappointment!

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