GEORGIA HUMPHREYS
On the unspoiled north-west coast of Mallorca, enjoys a sumptuous stay at one of Richard Branson’s retreats
FROM Necker Island to South Africa and Verbier, Sir Richard Branson has homes all over the world. And yet, there’s one place he holds particularly close to his heart – Son Bunyola, a luxury retreat on the north-west coast of Mallorca, which is open to the public as a Virgin Limited Edition property.
But how often does the busy business magnate actually get to visit the sprawling 680-acre estate with three villas nestled amongst seemingly endless rows of trees?
General manager Lee Bowes reveals her boss rocked up to stay twice this year, and on his most recent visit, he even challenged some guests to a game of tennis.
Eager to sample the place for myself, I head over for a long weekend.
The founder of Virgin group first visited Mallorca as a child, and he later took his own children to the Spanish island for summer holidays. In fact, the Bransons are such fans of this region, his son, Sam, even named daughter Eva-deia after the town Deia, which is a 45-minute drive from Son Bunyola.
Surrounded by the Tramuntana mountain range, jutting out from the lime green coastline to the azure sea, Son Bunyola is close to plenty of hiking and cycling trails and is perfect for an adrenaline junkie like Branson. It’s also peacefully unspoiled.
On the helter skelter of a drive down from the main road, you’ll gasp at the central 18th-century finca building, typical of the grand farmhouses that can be found all over Mallorca and Spain. Rows upon rows of crumbling terraces lead down from it, making patterns on a landscape dotted with vines and towering olive trees.
Amazingly, some members of the team who work at Son Bunyola today actually lived in the finca as children in the 1970s. Back then, the estate was used as farmland and harvested alfalfa, almonds and vegetables.
As for the future? Plans are in the pipeline to transform the finca into a villa, and olive oil will be produced on the estate within a year.
Perhaps it’s the secluded location, with no other buildings in view for kilometres, or the fact guests have their own team and chef on hand to cater for every need – but I’ve never stayed somewhere so tranquil.
There are three individual villas to choose from – Sa Terra Rotja, Son Balagueret and Sa Punta de S’aguila – and each feels very different.
With handcrafted terracotta flooring and local Binissalem stone used throughout, the vibe is undoubtedly traditional – and yet, there’s a clever contemporary contrast thanks to pops of bright artwork.
I stay in Sa Punta de S’aguila, which translates as ‘Eagle’s Point’ – a five-bedroom villa located along a track above the coastline.
My room feels light and airy, thanks to the exposed beam ceiling, large windows and traditional dark green