This Mallorcan clifftop hotel has one of the island’s best swimming pools

Swapping foreshores for foothills, James Litston checks into Belmond’s La Residencia for a luxury escape in Mallorca

Mar 26, 2026 - 13:15

0 6

This Mallorcan clifftop hotel has one of the island’s best swimming pools

La Residencia is one of Mallorca's original luxe hotels, sitting within sight of the sea on the edge of the hilltop village of Deia

Location

Deia, a village of almost fairytale prettiness in northwest Mallorca, makes a fitting home for La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, one of the island's most famous hotels. The stone and terracotta tiled property is on the lower slopes of the Tramuntana: the soaring limestone massif that runs the full length of the island.

With the nearby coast made of mountains and cliffs, this is not where you'd come for a beach holiday, although you can enjoy sea swims down at Cala Deia, a rocky cove, where you’ll also find Ca's Patro March, the retro-chic seafood restaurant as seen on screen in The Night Manager. Taxis from Palma airport take around 40 minutes and the bus from Palma (a 50-minute journey) stops outside the gate.

The vibe

The hotel sits on the slopes of Tramuntana

The hotel sits on the slopes of Tramuntana (Belmond)

La Residencia is a refined country house hotel. The rooms and restaurants are spread across a manor house and adjacent buildings, with the oldest part of the property dating from the 1600s. From the front lawns and gardens, the hotel rises in tiers emulating the dry-stone terraces that earned the Tramuntana range Unesco World Heritage status.

A backdrop of the peaks themselves brings further wow-factor and drama. Inside, you'll find period furnishings and original art, including a fine selection by Joan Miro, the surrealist who lived and worked in Palma.

Service

From the front desk to the waiters and housekeeping, staff are endlessly cheerful and accommodating. As you might expect from a brand as unashamedly upmarket as Belmond, service throughout is consistently polished and attentive, yet it's friendly and personable rather than robotic. The reception and concierge teams are well versed in things to see and do nearby. A complimentary shuttle service to the cove is a welcome addition.

Bed and bath

Rooms have high ceilings and whitewashed walls

Rooms have high ceilings and whitewashed walls (Belmond)

The 66 rooms and suites (there's also a villa) are spread across four buildings, three of which are historic; the other, built to a matching design, dates from 2007. In keeping with the authentic aesthetic, standard rooms have high ceilings, exposed rafters and generous dimensions, with white-painted walls and tiled floors that help beat summer's heat. No two rooms are exactly alike.

Bathrooms have walk-in showers and Islamic-inspired tiles. Upgrade options include suites with plunge pools or four-poster beds.

Food and drink

The breakfast buffet served at poolside Son Fony goes large on island flavours via cheeses, fruits and charcuterie (with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options), plus an a la carte offering of hot dishes.

El Olivo serves multi-course tasting menus

El Olivo serves multi-course tasting menus (Tyson Sadlo/Belmond)

Evenings begin with drinks at Bar Miro before continuing to any of three on-site restaurants: Restaurante Miro for casual Mediterranean cuisine; fine-dining El Olivo for multi-course tasting menus; or poolside Tramuntana Grill where straightforward cooking methods let the ingredients’ flavours shine (be sure to save space for the grilled pineapple dessert). All menus carry vegetarian options; allergens are clearly marked.

Facilities

The hotel's most striking feature is its freeform swimming pool (one of Mallorca's largest) surrounded by loungers and parasols. There's also a smaller, adult-only pool and an indoor option at the spa. The spa itself offers six treatment rooms, steam facilities and out-of-the-ordinary therapies such as a hands-on “Body Talk” analysis that identifies the impacts of everyday stress on the body.

Beyond lazy indulgences, guests can sign up for daily activities (without extra cost), including olive oil tasting, al fresco yoga, cookery, tennis lessons or a donkey meet-and-greet. There’s also the option to dive into local culture with an artist-led workshop in a dedicated studio under the “Artist in Residencia” programme.

Accessibility

There are lots of staircases at this hotel, and the pool and spa are not currently wheelchair accessible. The building nearest the breakfast area has step-free access and two adapted rooms.

Pet policy

Small pets with a maximum weight of 10kg are allowed to stay for no extra fee. Dogs must be kept under strict control in all public areas.

Check-in/check-out

Check-in is from 3pm, check-out is 12 noon.

Family-friendly?

Yes. There's a kids' club with daily activities. Children up to 11 years can share their parents' room free of charge. All restaurants offer kids' menus (although El Olivio is not recommended as the dining experience takes several hours).