Amanda Butler Spends a blissful day at Kimpton Aysla Resort & Codage Spa
Newly opened in October 2022, the Kimpton Aysla Resort & Spa is a stunning addition to Mallorca’s expanding list of spa hotels. Working in collaboration with the French skincare brand, the Maison Codage Spa is the first in Spain, offering made-to-measure beauty formulas and one of the largest hotel spas in Mallorca.
I was interested to learn more and see if the spa lived up to the hype, so my co-founder Nicky and I had the pleasure of spending a day at the resort, meeting the spa team and experiencing bespoke treatments. We are still glowing from our day of rejuvenation and took home our very own beauty formula.
Located in Nova Santa Ponsa, just five minutes from the main beach of Santa Ponsa and the recently renovated Philippe Starck Port Adriano, the Kimpton Aysla hotel is situated on the edge of a quiet residential area and nestled amidst lush gardens overlooking Golf Santa Ponsa. Just across the road lies the prestigious Mallorca Country Club with its top-class sporting facilities.
Stepping into the hotel’s light-flooded reception, the work of local artist Regina Dejimenez is a showstopper with an extraordinary textile mural that took ten months to create. The art theme continues around the resort with 700 contemporary works by local artists, adding warmth, depth and colour. The reception team were friendly and warm, dressed in stylish cream linens and welcomed us with a sweet and deliciously cold almond horchata drink, an island specialty and a delicious pick-me-up after the normal airport journey.
Originating in San Francisco, The Kimpton brand practically invented the boutique hotel concept, creating spaces that are beautiful, livable and stylish. The Kimpton Aysla is the chain’s first resort hotel in Europe featuring 79 guest rooms in two low-rise buildings, minimalist lines, with beautiful, landscaped gardens. There are three outdoor swimming pools with stunning views over the distant Tramuntana mountains. The two restaurants, Saba Restaurant & Bar and Zayt pool-side restaurant, are open to visitors. The resort feels luxurious yet laid back and has a beachy California meets Mediterranean vibe, and the gorgeous spa is one of the largest in Mallorca.
Kimpton’s vision for the resort was to create a wellness-centered place where guests could be active, social, and relaxed. There is a daily programme of workouts, guided meditations, yoga classes, road cycling, creative workshops and a social hour where guests can connect over a glass of complimentary wine. The hotel also offers electric bikes on a first-come-first-served basis.
The Codage Spa welcomed us in with aromas of essential oils and gentle music playing. In the tranquil and sophisticated reception area, Spa Manager, Marta Valsecchi greeted us warmly and led us to the Codage consultation room, with shelves carrying rows of brown-glass bottles labeled with symbols inspired by the periodic table.
A diagnosis questionnaire is completed with Marta, covering skin type, aesthetic concerns and lifestyle factors to assess our skin needs. Marta explained that traditional French pharmacy methods inspire the science-meets-beauty approach. She then maps out our bespoke “codage” (code) and mixes an ultra-personalised formula utilising an array of active ingredients to create a serum. Our customised beauty formula is ours to take home.
We opted for the double massage room with two comfortable massage tables, soft lighting, and soothing music. We chose the signature ‘Welcoming Experience’, a customised facial treatment combined with a regenerating back and leg massage to melt away stress and tension. My therapist took the time to understand my specific preferences and concerns before beginning the treatment.
From the first touch, it was evident that the therapist possessed exceptional expertise, soothing away the new-business stress from my face and sensing where my body needed attention. The aromatic organic oils enhanced the overall experience, nourishing my skin and creating a blissful sensory journey. I felt nurtured, both physically and mentally, throughout the entire session. Having arrived after a busy day with my head buzzing, I fell into a restful sleep toward the end of my session.
After our treatments, we moved to the indoor pool area to enjoy the facilities. The elegant and contemporary zones have a Zen-like feel, with earthy tones and textures inspired by the natural beauty of the surroundings. The spa’s extensive thermal circuit includes a stunning indoor pool, a serene relaxation room and salt cave (which sprays salt water), a steam room, and a sauna. Each space is meticulously maintained and continues the overall feeling of tranquility. Additionally, there is a fitness center with a state-of-the-art gym.
Feeling fully refreshed after our spa experience, we practically floated to the Bodega area just in time for the Kimpton social hour. With a relaxed and unforced feel, hotel guests can enjoy a glass of wine and snacks on the house, providing a fun opportunity to chat to other guests from different areas of the world.
For dinner, we opted for the Saba Restaurant, intrigued by the “progressive pan-Asian” menu. As a fish-and-seafood-loving Pescatarian, the choices were endless, with small plates perfect for sharing and tasting. Our table was soon a feast for the eyes and our taste buds, with a spread of light, fresh, and beautifully presented plates. Clearly, we just had to try the super creative dessert menu which did not disappoint!
Overall, we loved the Kimpton Aysla Resort and Codage Spa and would highly recommend a stay or a pamper day (non-guests are welcome at the spa and restaurants). We felt very at home in the hotel, with its relaxed vibe, calm interiors, and welcoming hotel team. After a blissfully relaxing day of spa rejuvenation and delicious gourmet treats, we left renewed and ready to embrace the week ahead. Dog owners will be glad to know it’s also a pet-friendly hotel.
Amanda has been living in Mallorca since 2002, and has recently launched WellnessTraveller.co – an online travel booking platform and directory of everything wellness the island of Mallorca has to offer.
www.wellnesstraveller.co – The new destination for wellness in Mallorca!
