Four Seasons Mallorca — The Reinvention of Formentor
Updated: 2 hours ago
On Mallorca's northern peninsula, a celebrated address enters a new era. Its architectural transformation reconnects a historic Mediterranean landmark with the island's landscape, craftsmanship, cultural heritage and contemporary hospitality.
We arrived at Formentor by boat, crossing the Bay of Pollença toward a long white building almost concealed by the pine forest. The mountains rise steeply behind it, while the shoreline curves around one of Mallorca's most sheltered bays. Seen from the water, the hotel occupies a narrow stretch between the woodland and the Mediterranean.
Opened in 1929, Hotel Formentor attracted generations of writers, artists, filmmakers, and international society. Its 2024 transformation into Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor introduced 110 rooms and suites, redesigned interiors, new culinary venues and extensive wellness facilities.
Beyond the main building, the estate encompasses gardens, vineyards, historic architecture and a network of outdoor spaces extending into the peninsula's natural landscape.
For us, much of the interest in today's Formentor lies in how these different environments are brought together through architecture, cultural heritage and accomplished hospitality.
Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Poolside and beach view from Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Views from Es Colomer at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Beach amenities at Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor
The Weight of an Address
Formentor's story began with Argentine art patron Adán Diehl, who envisioned a destination where cultural and social life could flourish alongside Mediterranean leisure.
Among its guests were Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, while the Formentor literary gatherings and prize brought international writers to this remote stretch of Mallorca.
The peninsula's isolation was central to Diehl's vision. Removed from Europe's established social capitals, the hotel offered an unusual setting for intellectual exchange, social gatherings and Mediterranean living.
The redevelopment was extensive. Rather than a conventional restoration, the original hotel was reconstructed under the direction of Spanish architectural practice Estudio Lamela, with its recognizable proportions and horizontal silhouette reinterpreted for contemporary requirements.
The historic staircase leading from the beach toward the building remains among the most evocative remaining features. Walking up those stone steps, with the gardens and long white façade ahead, provides a unique connection to the former hotel, despite the fundamental changes to the building itself.
Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor Inside Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor
Inside, Paris-based Gilles & Boissier have introduced a warmer, more expressive character.
Natural stone, brushed wood, textured surfaces and carefully proportioned furniture establish a contemporary Mediterranean language. Generous openings frame the sea and surrounding forest, while the furnishings introduce color, texture and a more residential atmosphere.
The incorporation of Mallorcan craftsmanship deserves attention. Traditional teles de llengües, the island's distinctive ikat textiles, bring pattern and regional character to the interiors. Historic workshops such as Teixits Vicens in nearby Pollença sustain this weaving tradition, while ceramics, glass and selected artworks connect the design with Mallorca's creative community. An art collection developed in collaboration with Aba Art Lab adds another artistic perspective.
We were drawn to the interplay of woven fabrics, rich textures and carefully selected colors. Equally memorable were the softly illuminated corridors and sculptural staircase, where sweeping architectural curves and textured stone introduce an expressive contrast to the guestrooms' more subdued palette.
The rooms and suites continue this design language through tactile finishes, understated furnishings, and thoughtfully designed layouts. For couples, the Sea-View Suite is a compelling choice. It features a separate living room and an extended covered terrace overlooking the bay. For greater privacy and outdoor space, the Grand Pine-View Suite with Plunge Pool offers a generous terrace and a heated plunge pool, with views through the pines toward the sea. Each room’s view is framed by treetops, drawing the woodland into the composition and adding a layer of depth to the Mediterranean before the horizon.
The decors are done with traditional teles de llengües, the island's ikat textiles by Teixits Vicens The making of the island's distinctive ikat textiles by Teixits Vicens The making of the island's distinctive ikat textiles by Teixits Vicens The making of the island's distinctive ikat textiles by Teixits Vicens The making of the island's distinctive ikat textiles by Teixits Vicens The making of the island's distinctive ikat textiles by Teixits Vicens The making of the island's distinctive ikat textiles by Teixits Vicens
The Beach Beneath the Pines
Formentor Beach occupies one of Mallorca's most beautiful coastal settings.
Its sheltered waters and fine sand are framed by mature pine trees, whose branches extend almost to the shoreline. The combination of natural shade, woodland and transparent Mediterranean water gives the bay a character unlike the island's more exposed beaches.
From the hotel, garden paths lead toward the shore. The beach itself is public, while Four Seasons provides a dedicated serviced area with sunbeds, loungers and beachfront hospitality.
We appreciated the generous shade of the pine canopy, which makes spending extended periods beside the water unusually comfortable. Even during the warmer months, guests can settle beneath the trees within easy reach of the sheltered bay.
The hotel's private boat dock is a practical advantage. Arriving from Port de Pollença, as we did, offers an alternative to the winding road through the peninsula, especially during the busier summer months.
With the hotel, beach, pools and gardens connected by pathways, much of the resort's outdoor life takes place within easy reach of the shoreline.
The Beautiful Formentor Beach Beneath the Pine Trees The Beautiful Formentor Beach Beneath the Pine Trees The Beautiful Formentor Beach Beneath the Pine Trees At The Beautiful Formentor Beach Beneath the Pine Trees The Beautiful Formentor Beach Beneath the Pine Trees Private dock at the Formentor Beach Leaving the private dock at the Formentor Beach The Beautiful Formentor Beach Beneath the Pine Trees The Beautiful Formentor Beach Beneath the Pine Trees
A Culinary Perspective on Mallorca
Four Seasons Mallorca has developed a dining program that moves between Mediterranean traditions, beachfront seafood and contemporary Nikkei cuisine, with each venue offering its own culinary identity.
Mel draws on seasonal produce and Mediterranean cooking, serving breakfast and dinner in an elegant indoor-outdoor setting. Its menus feature regional ingredients, including Sóller red prawns and Mallorcan lamb, interpreted through contemporary techniques.
On Formentor Beach, Llum i Sal specializes in fresh seafood and paella. Its open-air setting beside the water lends itself to leisurely lunches, while seasonal evening dining offers a different perspective on the bay.
Llum i Sal on Formentor Beach Llum i Sal on Formentor Beach Llum i Sal on Formentor Beach Llum i Sal on Formentor Beach Llum i Sal on Formentor Beach Llum i Sal on Formentor Beach Llum i Sal on Formentor Beach
Shima explores Nikkei gastronomy, combining Japanese techniques and Peruvian influences with regional ingredients. Its striking speakeasy-style bar and intimate dining room introduce a more atmospheric, contemporary character. The menu also makes thoughtful use of Mallorcan produce, with combinations such as hamachi nigiri with sobrasada and honey-yuzu.
Cercle, the hotel's circular bar, offers cocktails and aperitifs, while Quiosc provides casual poolside dining. Beyond the principal restaurants, private dining and wine-focused experiences at the vineyard connect gastronomy with the estate's agricultural traditions.
We appreciated the contrast between the different venues, from the open beachfront atmosphere of Llum i Sal to the more intimate interiors of Shima. Each offers a distinct dining experience, giving guests greater choice throughout their stay.
Nikkei gastronomy at Shima Nikkei gastronomy at Shima Nikkei gastronomy at Shima Nikkei gastronomy at Shima Nikkei gastronomy at Shima Nikkei gastronomy at Shima Nikkei gastronomy at Shima Nikkei gastronomy at Shima Quiosc provides casual poolside dining at Four Seasons Mallorca Quiosc provides casual poolside dining at Four Seasons Mallorca The swanky Cercle Bar at Four Seasons Mallorca
An Expansive Life Across Formentor
The resort occupies approximately 40 hectares of landscaped grounds within a much larger private estate encompassing forests, vineyards and agricultural land. Paths connect gardens, pools, terraces and the beachfront, with smaller seating areas distributed among the trees.
Exploring these grounds became one of the pleasures of our stay. Away from the principal facilities, we found garden terraces, shaded courtyards and outdoor lounges that offered different perspectives of the property.
Finca Cases Velles was among our favorite discoveries. With origins dating to the 15th century, its traditional stone buildings, courtyard and modest chapel preserve a connection with the peninsula's agricultural and cultural history. The intimate scale and rural architecture provide a striking contrast to the contemporary hotel.
Nearby, Vinyes de Formentor produces wines from local and international grape varieties. Vineyard visits, tastings and private dining experiences introduce guests to the winemaking traditions of Mallorca and the agricultural life of the estate.
The peninsula offers extensive possibilities for outdoor pursuits. The world-famous cycling routes, hiking trails and coastal walks lead through wooded hills and limestone scenery, while private boat excursions provide access to secluded coves and stretches of coastline best appreciated from the water.
The stunning view from Albercutx Watchtower Vinyes de Formentor Mirador des Colomer The stunning view from Albercutx Watchtower Vinyes de Formentor Finca Cases Velles Finca Cases Velles Inside Finca Cases Velles where original homewares remain untouched Inside Finca Cases Velles where original homewares remain untouched
Wellness complements this active approach to Mediterranean living. The spa combines softly lit treatment spaces with thermal facilities, including a vitality pool, sauna, steam room and cold-water experiences. Its program extends beyond conventional massages and facials, incorporating sound therapy and treatments informed by the island's natural environment.
Among its more specialized offerings is Sea of Dreams, a ritual beginning with a sound bath and continuing on a heated quartz bed, where warmth and gentle vibrations accompany the treatment. Fitness facilities, tennis, yoga and guided outdoor activities offer further opportunities for movement and recovery.
Families are well accommodated, with separate adult and family swimming pools, supervised children's programs and outdoor recreational spaces. The arrangements allow different generations to pursue their interests independently while sharing the same resort.
For weddings, private gatherings and celebrations, the gardens, terraces and historic finca provide venues of different scales and character. Open-air cinema screenings add a cultural element to the evening program.
During our stay, the team's enthusiasm and attentiveness were apparent across the different facilities. The property's extensive layout could easily make its operation feel impersonal, yet the service remained engaged and well coordinated. We appreciated the willingness of the staff to introduce guests to the less familiar parts of Formentor, rather than concentrating attention on the main hotel.
The result is a substantial property whose individual environments retain their own character, offering guests considerable freedom in how they spend their time.
The adult pool area at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor The adult pool area at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor The adult pool area at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor The adult pool area at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor The Spa at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor The Spa at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor The Spa at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor The Spa at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor The Spa at Four Seasons Mallorca at Formentor
The Reinvention of Formentor
Reconstructing a historic hotel is not the same as preserving one. Formentor's familiar architectural silhouette remains, but the building has changed fundamentally. Its historic staircase, cultural associations and relationship with the peninsula provide continuity with the original address.
The more interesting question is what reinvention means for a place with such an established identity. The original Formentor gained its reputation through the people, ideas and conversations it brought together. No architectural reconstruction can reproduce that cultural moment, nor would it be worth attempting to do so.
Four Seasons Mallorca has created something different, with its own ambitions and a contemporary understanding of Mediterranean hospitality. The achievement lies in giving this celebrated address a future without requiring it to remain an imitation of its past.
Comments