The Bon Vivant's Choice 2. - Four Seasons Mallorca

I’ve been a privileged guest of several Four Seasons (FS) properties over the years, from the woody alpine resort of Mègeve to the heat-soaked climate of Dubai. The familiarity and reliability of every FS property shines through the world over: the service, dining quality, and attention to detail reminding you of that there are still small glimmers of humanity in an otherwise hectic and conflicted world. I’m usually one to favor the old-world grandeur and hospitality which oozes from the family run grand hotels that stand as steadfast reminders of a glamorous age - albeit it amongst an evermore standardized monopoly of corporate leviathans. However, one property as of late which illustrates that global brands can indeed retain unique and geospecific personalities is the Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor.

Founded in 1929 by the Argentinean art enthusiast Adan Diehl, and only accessible by boat in its formative years, the property became the go-to retreat for the poets, novelists and actors of the golden age of the arts. Notable figures from Gary Cooper and John Wayne to Claudia Cardinale and Jane Birkin were regulars at the hotel, bestowing upon the property an aura and mystique on par with other familiar establishments across Europe and the Mediterranean. Over years of ownership changes, what is now the Four Seasons is a true cultural marvel of the modern world, in my eyes at least.

Situated in Formentor on the northern corner of the island, and accessible by a single absolutely stunning mountain pass (all too popular with cyclists clad in lycra), the hotel sits a gleaming white beacon of civility amongst a dense backdrop of forest. In all honesty the biggest surprise of Mallorca is the quality of the roads, both in build and driving fun. In a 992 Turbo, you can imagine a time was certainly had. The recipe is quite simple: roof down, Julio Iglesias on a loop, and an open shirt spritzed with the latest summer scent of Acqua Di Parma.

Pair that with a dinner featuring local blue lobster and 1kg cut of steak - cooked medium-rare of course - and you have yourself the making of a perfect day. From 10pm, the roads around Formentor are completely empty, including the 10km stretch up to the lighthouse, perched over the edge of the Mediterranean. This makes for the perfect after-dinner drive; roof down, Julio on, and sport mode activated, with not a single other car (or person) around the entire drive.

If you have a car of any kind, I strongly advise a drive up to the lighthouse in the early hours of the morning to catch the sunrise, or late at night - pre 10am or post 10pm once the road is open to the public. I also advise taking good company. As the enthusiasts will agree, the best drives are either alone, or with the right passenger (just one) - who can talk for a 3 hour cruise, or sit in silence the entire way, but when it’s right, you just know. And to truly experience Mallorca, take the hotel’s private boat (powered by Brabus) out around the coves for a swim in what could be the warmest seawater I’ve experienced around the Mediterranean. Follow this up with lunch at the hotel’s resident beach club Llum I Sal - order the scallops and tuna to start and thank me later.

I could wax lyrical about FS Mallorca for a long time. I really could. But spare me the (digital) ink and visit for yourself, and again, thank me later!

Happy traveling!

Azzam

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