T+L’s Hotel review of Son Xotano Hotel in Mallorca, Spain

Getting to Mallorca, Spain’s new Son Xotano hotel isn’t easy. The hotel’s sign is small, the right-hand turn down the dirt road is nondescript, and the quiet lane could make you think you’re driving to the middle of nowhere.

Nestled right in the middle of the largest Baleriac island, Son Xotano is surrounded by rustling olive trees, the hum of cicadas, and the distant bleating of goats on the other side of its stone walls. I was greeted in the courtyard by the hotel’s attentive staff with a cool towel and a glass of lemon-infused water, the perfect remedies for a 100-degree day under the Spanish sun. At Son Xotano, luxury isn’t measured in formality, but in thoughtfulness.

Check-in was a breeze, as was the quick walk to my room, number 14, tucked near the reception. While the oversized bed and the massive bathroom stocked with Aesop products were a welcome sight, I wasn’t planning to stay inside for too long. I changed into my bathing suit and headed to the hotel’s glittering blue pool, surrounded by day beds and a lush green lawn.

Here, my husband and I soaked in the rays, nibbling on delicious snacks and plotting out the rest of our long weekend on the island. Meanwhile, it seemed other hotel guests were content to just keep their noses in their novels and relax in the shade of the palm trees.

Son Xotano’s central location makes it ideal for exploring: you can reach any corner of the island in no more than 45 minutes. Palma, the largest city in the Balearic Islands, is a 20-minute drive. Towns like Deià, popular among creative crowds, and the historic port city of Alcúdia, with its medieval houses and beautiful white-sand beach, are slightly farther.

While my husband and I enjoyed exploring, each day, we rushed back for dinner. The menu, crafted by chef José María Borrás, offers dishes deeply tied to Mallorca’s seasons.

“I don’t have a garden. Mallorca is the garden,” Borrás tells me, noting he uses as many of the island’s products as possible before he even considers importing goods. He wants to encourage guests to slow down and savor every ingredient. “It’s not just about the quality, which is already high, it’s telling the story of the terroir and the people who are growing and creating these products in each bite.”

My favorite meal—local langoustines with homemade pasta and a salad prepared with plump Mallorcan blackberries and other ingredients sourced from the farmers’ market down the road—gave me a sense of place in every bite. 

And that’s what makes Son Xotano a singular destination. It’s small and out of the way, but it tells the story of Mallorca. Its roots can be traced back to the island’s Islamic period between the 10th and 13th centuries. The land changed hands a few times, serving as a fully operational farm, a vineyard, and even a horse-breeding estate. Here, my review of its latest chapter, as a meticulously restored 20-room boutique hotel.

The Rooms

Son Xotano has 20 guest rooms and suites, ensuring privacy and an intimate vibe. The accommodations are spread throughout the property, in the main house and smaller stone buildings that served as stables and storage.

Each room and suite features natural stone walls, exposed pine beams, and tiles in neutral shades, all crafted by Mallorcan artisans. Some of the rooms open to private gardens that come with outdoor furnishings, while others have terraces giving guests eyeline views of the palm trees. The suites offer more expansive living areas, along with deep soaking tubs. The decor epitomizes understated luxury, offering a stylish sense of serenity that’s perfect for a remote destination like this.

Food and Drink

Dining at Son Xotano was the highlight of my stay. The hotel’s restaurant, nestled among olive and cypress trees, embodies a kilómetro cero philosophy, which promotes sourcing ingredients from local producers whenever possible. Meals here begin with warm bread served with two kinds of butter and olive oil, followed by decadent salads with goat cheese, local blackberries, and greens galore. Then, guests can choose from a variety of main dishes.

I opted for pasta with local langoustine, while my husband dined on roast chicken over a fragrant bed of olive leaves. Then, we finished it all off the only way you should in Mallorca—with ensaimada. The spiral bun, made from flour, water, sugar, and eggs, and topped with a generous dusting of sugar, has been a local staple for hundreds of years. Guests can also pair it with a sommelier-recommended local wine.

Activities and Experiences

At Son Xotano, many guests choose to lounge in their private gardens or terraces, or on one of the oversized daybeds by the pool. But if they do want to venture out, the hotel offers a small menu of experiences to help guests connect with Mallorca’s quieter side.

For active travelers, the team can set up guided hikes that lead through the island’s diverse landscapes, from its pine forests to coastal cliffs. Other options include guided cycling on routes that meander through country roads, along with horseback rides through Mallorca that also honor the hotel’s equestrian past.

However, Mallorca being an island, the main draw remains the water. Guests can hop aboard a private boat tour and explore some of its most picturesque coves. We chose a sunset cruise, which offered the ideal blend of views and fun as we got to jump off and go for a swim at a small cove.

Culture seekers can also experience curated excursions to historic sites and artisan studios, such as shopping for glassworks at Gordiola and a visit to the Can Vivot manor house.

The Spa

Son Xotano doesn’t have a dedicated spa, but guests can book in-room massages. They can also opt to enjoy a treatment outdoors, beneath the olive trees in the garden, as the Mediterranean breeze blows through while they relax.

Family-Friendly Offerings

Son Xotano is an adults-only hotel, designed for quiet reflection. It welcomes guests aged 16 or older.

Accessiblity and Sustainability

Son Xotano is housed within a centuries-old estate, meaning accessibility comes with limitations. One room has been adapted for guests with reduced mobility; however, all pathways connecting the various buildings are covered in loose gravel.

Sustainability is taken seriously at Son Xotano. The team implemented natural insulation techniques during its restoration, as well as cross-ventilation and traditional rainwater collection systems to lower the ecological burden of the hotel. Its outdoor areas are an example of xeriscape landscaping, with native, drought-tolerant plants and drip irrigation that reduce water use. The hotel also uses glass and metal containers and products with zero single-use plastics in sight. Its locally sourced dining ethos helps keep the restaurant’s carbon footprint low.

Location

Son Xotano is located at the heart of Mallorca’s countryside, about 25 minutes from Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI). A car is necessary if you wish to visit any of the beaches or the island’s small towns. Car rentals are affordable, with some costing as little as $20 per day. Uber is available, but rides can be quite expensive. The island also has a robust bus system for those who prefer to avoid driving.

Book Now

Son Xotano is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts. Members of its I Prefer loyalty program receive complimentary Wi-Fi, room upgrades, early check-in, and exclusive rates when available.

Nightly rates at Son Xotano start from €350 ($380) during low season and €500 ($545) during high season.

Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.