There’s a very special place hidden in the old town, near La Lonja. The outside walls are somewhat inconspicuous. When you walk through the alley where its gate is located, you would almost miss it. The gate is the only clue.
When you are lucky enough to stay at the Palacio San Marques, the gate is opened for you by the courteous staff, and you enter the majestic entry hall. You immediately know you are in a special and very unique place.
The 300-year-old building and the 3 families that have owned it make for its own interesting story.
Antonio Massa, who built the palace, was a privateer captain who had sailed the world and settled with his family in Mallorca. A story that will resonate with many of our readers. He was also a consul of Merchants, priest, guardian of the cathedral and a senior official of Palma.
The Marques family bought the property in 1860. Antonio Marques was the first mayor of the city of Palma.
The Schindelhauer family bought it from the Marques family some 20 years ago and made it their home. Kim Schindelhauer also owns the supersailyacht ‘WinWin’. The 33m Baltic from the drawing board of Majorcan designer Javier Jaudenes.
The word ‘hotel’ doesn’t do it justice. The current owners originally didn’t intend to exploit it as a hotel. The renovation was a passion project where every detail has been handled with the utmost care and pride. Every artifact has its story and practically every piece of furniture is unique. Kim Schindelhauer’s partner Aline Matsika is a renowned interior designer who recreated the soul of the building resulting in a unique hotel. However, she imagined it as a private home with Kim as the host, welcoming friends, with every room having its own distinct personality.
The Puro Hotel group is in charge of the hotel management. Palacio Can Marques is a recent edition to their Urban Oasis hotel and Puro House just around the corner. The Beatnik bar and restaurant are also located there. The Merchants restaurant is integrated in the Palacio San Marques and offers both indoor and outdoor dining options for breakfast and dinner. A wonderfully grilled surf and turf can be enjoyed here.
We were guided up the stone staircase and lad to the tall wooden doors of our room. As the large metal key opened the lock, the doors swung open and revealed the superior suite where we would stay. The 6 meter high ceilings, mantlepiece, king size bed, spacious bathroom and two salons makes one feel like royalty.
But the Palacio Can Marques also houses the largest hotel suite in Mallorca. The nearly 400-square-meter Riad suite sits on the top floor and offers stunning views over Palma harbour and bay, as well as the cathedral. With its own kitchen and capacity to sleep 6 adults it is ideal for families and long stays. A dull moment can be fixed by playing a game of pool. The pool table can almost be overlooked in the vastness of this presidential suite.
The Secret Garden courtyard is filled with tropical plants and trees and truly feels like a peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the old town. We enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing breakfast there with impeccable service. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to book a massage, but we did enjoy an invigorating sauna session in the gym and wellness area.
In conclusion, this is definitely a hotel that yachting professionals should be aware of. It offers a great opportunity to spoil yourself but it’s also a hotel you can confidently recommend to owners and guests.
More info can be found at www.palaciocanmarques.com
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