Get away from it all in Mallorca
PALM trees, bright sunshine and a man wearing a woman’s dress. These are the first three things I see after touching down on the sparkling island of Mallorca. As the warm breeze gently ripples through the exits of Palma airport, giggles erupts from the man and his gaggle of friends as they began staggering to their taxi for a “lads” holiday.
No doubt they are on their way to the marauding melee of madness that is Magaluf for a rip-roaring booze-fuelled bonanza of shenanigans and mayhem.
Thankfully, I am headed in the opposite direction – to the cool, crisp and composed Carrossa Hotel, Mallorca’s luxury spa resort.
Hidden deep within the mountains of Levant overlooking the bay of Alcúdia, a treasure trove awaits.
An hour’s drive away from the hustle and bustle of party central, Carrossa instead offers a bubble of tranquility on the biggest of the Balearics.
And like all best-kept secrets, it’s all the more delightful to discover.
After making your way through the Spanish countryside, you’re greeted by the warm smiles of the hotel staff, ready to make your stay as enjoyable and relaxing as possible.
Five-star Carrossa is home to 75 rooms, three fincas and four villas and has a strong traditional Spanish flavour.
There’s also a state-of-the-art wellness centre, built and designed to the highest specification with saunas, steam bath, ice fountain, and a wide selection of massage, beauty and special treatments.
Throw in a high-tech gym, and this is serious business, albeit wearing a picture-postcard smile.
The site is shrouded by a sea of shrubbery and you get glimpses of each of the buildings as they peek through the trees, adding to the secret and secluded nature of the place.
Carrossa is owned by Hamacher Hotels and Resorts, best known for its ski hotels in Austria.
And it’s Peter Hamacher himself who greets me. He’s from Cologne, and is an ardent FC Köln supporter. His mother, father and uncle all play their part in running the hotel business, too.
The family’s presence is felt in the attention to detail and focus on making the resort family-friendly and sophisticated at the same time.
You know Peter isn’t one for following the crowd and taking the obvious path others have already left well-trodden. Here, he has helped create something special and unique.
The family has captured everything that is good about the island, shaken out the past, and given it a five-star stamp.
Five stars, too, for space – so much space! Each room feels like its own private appartment, even on a sliding scale of petite to superior.
You have a powerful shower, huge double bed and cool lights that switch off and on just by touching them.
There’s a sitting area and a small veranda from whence you can look out over the hills. Lines of bamboo shield you from the sun’s rays.
It’s more like a scene from an African safari than springtime in Spain.
Every last detail has been well planned. From the hi-tech coffee machine to the menu dedicated to pillows, the team has thought of everything.
But tempting as the rooms are, there’s much to explore.
One immediate sight is that of guests in their fluffy white dressing gowns ambling in and out of the spa treatments. Everyone meanders at their own pace; everyone is friendly.
I enjoy a massage, during which calming music, combined with avocado oil, eases away all the stresses and strains and I began to totally relax.
Later, I take a dip in the indoor pool. Then I, too, meander.
But not for too long. Because dinner is just around the corner.
Restaurant Carrossa offers fine dining, creating a daily and delicious range of Mediterranean dishes, each hand-crafted by clever chefs who bring both excellence and exuberance to the plate.
Guests can also sample a wide selection of international dishes at the all-day Badia bistro, which