Hotel Bon Sol and Spa
A Review by Alan Fairfax
When people mention Mallorca, in many cases it conjures up images of an island for the young hearted, bars, disco’s, parties, clubs and large all-inclusive hotels. However, there is another side to this beautiful island, golden sand beaches, small coves, history and mountains, the small area of Illetas, home to the Bon Sol Hotel & Spa, is an example.
This is an hotel that I first visited 11 years ago and fell in love with, why, read on.
Leaving Autumn behind, a 2 hour flight delivers you to Palma where despite it only being late morning the mercury is already climbing into the high 20’s, case collected it’s just a short 30 minute taxi transfer to my destination, now time to relax, I’m on holiday at last.
The Bon Sol Hotel and Spa as it is now, began life back in the 1950’s, originally as a guest house but over the years has transformed into what it is today, one of the most desirable hotels on the island, but still owned and managed by the 2nd generation of the Xamena family and their children. In the early days the American actor Errol Flynn spent time at the hotel before renting a house nearby. Originally, over 200 steps led from the hotel’s cliff top location down to the beach, but permission was obtained to blast through the rock allowing corridors and lifts to be installed affording guests easy access to the hotels main swimming pool, beach restaurant and private sandy beach. This is an hotel with so many wonderful features it will take the visitor several days to explore them and then on speaking with other guests you realise you have missed some!!
Take the lift down 2 levels, exit along a marble corridor passing the small but beautiful chapel, a marble altar supported on 4 matching pillars, the white cloth covered top adorned with Crucifix, Bible and twin candles looked over by a statue of the Madonna standing in prayer, two seats for those re-taking vows or having rings blessed. It exudes an air of peace and tranquillity.
This level is also home to the well equipped children’s playground. Enter the next lift for the main pool area but at every level there is an attraction. Level 3 for the gym, 4 is home to the Nirvana Spa, be pampered and rejuvenated with treatments such as, Thalassotherapy, Balneotherapy, Algotherm, enjoy a Viochy Shower or maybe the Mediterranean Sea Jet therapy cabin, take part in Yoga classes for complete relaxation. Level 5 is table tennis, 6 houses the squash court, exit at 7, travel the short corridor and step out into a sub-tropical paradise of palms, pines, rubber plants, flowering shrubs and a swimming pool hewn from the rock constantly fed by a water fall from the pool above.
Be met by the lifeguard who will lay out thick mattresses on the loungers and lay out your towels, everything here is done for you. Time to relax under a large umbrella or sunbathe as you wish, take in the towering pines that stand stark against the azure blue sky, order a cooling drink from the well-stocked bar, the choice is yours. For those preferring sea water, the hotels private beach is but a few steps away where the golden sand is caressed by calm, warm, crystal clear waters.
The day meanders by, and time to return to room 110 on the 1st floor affording wonderful views from the balcony across Palma Bay that in the mornings is bathed in beautiful sunrises. The room is large, but it has to be to accommodate a huge double bed and side units, settee, armchair, dressing table, wardrobe and those little extras that make life better, hairdryer, tea/coffee making facilities, bottle of ‘Bon Sol’ Cava, chocolates and fully air conditioned, bathroom with bath, shower and bidet, quality toiletries and soft towels.
The sun is setting, time for pre-dinner drinks on the main terrace giving panoramic views across the bay to Palma where cruise ships are leaving for their next port of call. As they sail by you visualise excited passengers, chatting about their day and where their next port of call.
Dinner is taken in the main restaurant, a violinist is serenading diners, be welcomed by the Maître D, often a member of the Xamena family and be shown to your table of white linen tablecloths and napkins, shiny cutlery and accessories and small vase of fresh flowers. Choose from two menu’s, a la carte or ‘Gourmet’, your wine from the extensive list. Excellent food, waiter service and amongst good company, it doesn’t get much better than this. For that special occasion dine at the beach restaurant, book a table overlooking the sandy beach, the sound of waves gently lapping the shore as a guitarist serenades, the warm air scented by the pines creating romantic memories that last forever.
Waking to a clear blue sky the sun is already sending shimmers across the sea as you sit on the balcony with your first coffee or tea of the day. Breakfast is taken in the separate ‘Breakfast Room’, white chairs and tables make it bright and airy, overlooking one of the three swimming pools. The selection is vast. Fresh fruit, cheeses, jams, honey, meats, sausages, beans, bacon, mushrooms the list is endless. Fresh orange juice? certainly, there is an orange squeezer to give you the freshest orange juice ever. The egg station where a chef will cook them to your order, omelet? select your own fillings, try one with just peppers to give a slight ‘crunch’, I loved it.
Breakfast over its time to visit the main pool and again the sun is hot, but all is well under a large umbrella on a comfy lounger. 12 noon time for a drink, try one of their Pina Coladas, so creamy and smooth. The days pass far too quickly and soon its time to pack for the homeward trip.
This is a hotel that people return to year after year, I met one lady who now in middle age has been holidaying there since coming with her parents as a teenager.
It’s easy to see why, beautiful bedrooms equipped with everything you need, even your beach towels are ready in a beach carry bag. Food that is some of the best I have had in any hotel around the world, service that simply can’t be faulted, yes for me it is the perfect holiday, which is why I keep returning year on year.
Alan Fairfax October 2025 Picture credits: Alan Fairfax
More info at https://www.hotelbonsol.es/
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