A little history: Palm has an Arab past , as it was dominated by Muslims for three centuries. So, the city was called 'Madina Mayurqa', and something has remained from that time. Just with the wordriad’ We define several of the attributes that make up this project: small, exclusive, central, unusual, with a central patio and located in an alley.
We salute Miquel Barceló, director of the establishment , at the gates of it and he tells us: “A few years ago I was running a hotel in the North of Morocco. It was at this stage that I discovered riads and I loved the concept. When we found this old house and saw that the rooms flow into a small gallery , the image quickly came to mind, ”he introduces.
It is obvious that it is designed for those who seek to settle in a hotel like no other. So Barceló adds: “Most customers say they come attracted by the quaint decor and design . Although the initial idea was to receive couples, we are surprised to see that we also accept individual reservations from guests who they do it for work”.
Welcome to Morocco… in Palma de Mallorca!
The ubication? In a decisive place, a little street after Paseo de Born , in the heart of Palma. That said, nothing seems to predict what awaits the visitor expectantly. After crossing the gates, the journey promises to be extraordinary, as well as unexpected. We come across the recreation of an oasis whose layout transports the traveler to some point between Jamaa el Fna Square, the Souk and the Majorelle Garden... In Palma de Mallorca!
In this haven of peace you come to disconnect , to enjoy with all five senses and to stay among the hustle and bustle of what the core of a city entails without feeling that we are there. Several square meters of calm, care, and luxury, a few steps from the most visited places. Alert: we are talking about an accommodation that opened its doors last summer and that, in just a few months, already boasts unprecedented success.
To build the Hotel Palma Riyadh , the interior design studio of Paul Peyra rehabilitated a building that had the characteristics of the typical structure of the area. It was formerly a family residence, with 5-meter ceilings throughout the ground floor, a stone archway and, of course, a base patio. Once inside, we can affirm that the result is a daring, welcoming reform, where theatrical lighting, gilding, mosaics and the soothing sound of running water They are the great protagonists.
Their majestic suites await us there.
Not in vain, in the zone chill out there is a pool , where we can cool off on summer days, with Berber-style tiling and small fountains. These give off an aquatic musicality, a clear reflection of mindfulness itself. And sign of the importance of ' connect with him now of which Pablo's young and dynamic team are aware.
His firm feels “a special fondness for metals, marbles and natural woods . Our strong point is to create sensations through the light of spaces and the manufacture of everything we devise with the best raw material and the best craftsmen , which add emotional value to objects and furniture”, they say on his website, and at Hotel Palma Riad it is clear.
THE ELEVEN SUITES
They are huge, of approximately 40 m² ! The largest is Master Suite, with 70 m² and a giant bed custom made for 4 people. For the rest, each one has a different layout: The Penthouse, the Suite with terrace, the Suite Patio I, the Suite Patio II, the Persia Suite, the Hammam Suite, the Penthouse Suite with terrace, the Deluxe Suite, the Eight and The nine. Rest is assured.
Almost all have a fireplace and the original elements have been respected, such as the hydraulic floors, the wallpaper, the coffered ceiling, the doors and the windows. The toilets transfer directly to a Moroccan hammam , where “we wanted to provide a lot of space, a double shower in most of the rooms and huge bathtubs”, adds Barceló.
A few months of opening have taken him to achieve success.
THE JEWEL IN THE CROWN: MOROKKO
The restaurant has moved to the old coach house. Offers fusion cuisine, with local and seasonal products , in an authentic and exclusive space. In it, you will find dinner and drinks -until 2 in the morning- in a place with a lot of life and atmosphere, where locals and visitors meet. And we say dinner because Morokko is only open at night (and under the same “adults only” policy). Believe me, it is worth dropping by and tasting the delicacies in this environment of the Arabian Nights.
MALLORCA AND PALMA ARE NOT THE SAME
Eye, Mallorca is a holiday destination. Palma is something else. here account urban and year-round tourism . Palma's hotels are open twelve months and, although it is true that occupancy drops a little in winter, the city remains energetic and with all active leisure : restaurants, shopping, museums, congresses, etc.
"The good thing is that both destinations complement each other perfectly. You can sleep in Palma, and during the day, enjoy Mallorca, and vice versa. The farthest point is 1 hour by car. It is an island that is very easy to move around and that has many corners to explore ”, comments our interlocutor to Traveler.es.
And to say goodbye, we ask Barceló to illustrate us with some travel tips : “To get to know Mallorca well, you have to discover it from three points of view: beach, mountain and city . We enjoy long beaches like It's Trenc or wall beach , and beautiful coves scattered throughout the island. However, I also recommend the Tramontane mountain range , with wonderful towns such as Valldemossa, Deia and Sóller. Finally, it is mandatory to enter the cathedral, go shopping on the Paseo del Born, which is next to the hotel, and walk through the historic center”, ditch.
The bathrooms of the Hotel Palma Riad are as important as its rooms.
Carrer Sant Jaume 5, 07012 Palma de Mallorca
Telephone: +34 871 871 210