Valldemossa Hotel in Mallorca isn’t just another luxurious retreat, but a sanctuary for the weary of mind and body to experience holistic healing. Charlotte Flach discovers its unique brand of guidance and wellbeing.
Review: Valldemossa Hotel, Mallorca
As Amor walks across my back, each step perfectly timed, placed and executed, I feel a heaviness leaving my body with each crack. Her movements are graceful, but resolute, like a dancer; while in contrast I sigh and huff in an ungainly way beneath her.
I’m at the beginning of an extensive – almost two-hour – wellbeing session with Amor Garzon, a holistic healer who fuses Chinese medicine with more contemporary detoxifying procedures. What began as me walking in and asking for a basic back massage has turned into a cathartic and extensive journey to heal both my body and my mind.
Amor begins by feeling my pulse with three fingers, then examining my tongue. ‘Your kidneys hurt, and you have some stomach issues,’ she states. I’m astounded at how she could possibly know this in under a minute. But I’m about to be even more stunned.
What follows is a bespoke programme of treatments to cleanse not only the toxins in my body, but those that preoccupy my mind. Beginning with back walking, then using special equipment to send electromagnetic waves into my internal organs, followed by acupuncture in strategic locations, we end with a sound healing session.
As I lay there, eyes closed, I can feel physical pain – but also emotional pain – leaving my body. I sob almost continuously throughout my session, as I feel my afflictions melting away with each murmur of the singing bowls. As the sounds pulse and ring through me, touching something buried deeply, I feel release.
Afterwards, Amor and I communicate with a combination of her fleeting English and Google Translate. I thank her profusely for the catharsis she has gifted me and she tells me to put myself first, surely the foundation of any authentic wellness practice. She hugs me briefly for a moment before we part and the feeling of being utterly cared for is complete.
STAY
Although Amor and her team are a big draw for the newly refreshed and refurbished Valldemossa property, one of the many IT brand hotels which are scattered across Mallorca, it has plenty of other aces up its sleeve. For a start, its history as two monastical buildings adds a sense of calm and reverence, as does the view of the UNESCO-listed Serra de Tramuntana mountain range.
Then there are the luxurious yet rustic suites, blending top notch interior design with a Spanish country manor feel. One of only 12 rooms at the hotel, in mine the owners have used camera lenses to create lamps, heavy wooden shutters instead of curtains, with bold colours on the walls and soft furnishings instead of the usual drab beiges.
A bathroom that is all white marble and gold finishes offers a view of the mountains from the windows in the shower – not bad while you scrub up for dinner. My intimate balcony is a sun trap all day long, where the silence is punctuated only by the sound of sheep in the foothills or occasionally the bells of the monastic building in the near distance.
EAT
Following its move from the capital, Palma, in-house restaurant Tokio De Lima flourishes in its new home. Its seasonal cuisine, emphasis on Mediterranean produce, and healthy options, are the perfect complement to the hotel’s surroundings and purpose.
With an eye for colour, the menu fuses flavours from Japan and Peru – a classic combo, as those who have visited Lima will know. During my stay, braised aubergine and vegetable curry joined beef tataki and grilled scallops on the a la carte. There’s also a ‘raw and marinated’ segment of the menu, featuring beef or tuna tartar, ceviche and hamachi tiradito.
Plus, there’s a special Veuve Clicquot menu for two to share, where each course is paired with a different type of the iconic champagne.
DO
In addition to Amor’s holistic wellness programme, tailored to the needs of the individual, there are plenty of standard spa favourites such as massages and facials, which employ the Piroche method, combining drainage, manual massage, and essential oils. Working alongside her team, Amor brings her twenty-five years of experience in the health and beauty sector to provide treatments.
With its primary focus on wellbeing, Valldemossa has a small spa area which can be exclusively booked in one hour slots. Guests have private access to an indoor pool and sauna, with beds for lounging. Those who would rather soak up the almost year-round sunshine can head to the peaceful pool area, which overlooks an olive grove below.
Although it feels relatively remote, the capital Palma is only 17 kilometres away, and there are plenty of opportunities to hike, bike and simply ramble. Local tour company Martin Walks is led by the eponymous guide, who provides not only facts but jokes and anecdotes as you traverse the wooded mountains.
The village of Valldemossa itself, a short five minute walk away, is a charming journey back in time. The imposing monastery – now a museum – and its gardens are an impressive centrepiece, surrounded by a few cobbled streets dotted with local restaurants, shops and art galleries. Es Taller in particular is outstanding, with a unique, high-quality take on traditional tapas. With vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, the restaurant also describes itself as family and LGBT friendly.
THE FINAL WORD
Despite the sense of exclusivity, there is something very down-to-earth about Valldemossa. Perhaps it’s the home-from-home style of the communal spaces, or the way in which staff greet the guests with genuine warmth. Whatever this sanctuary’s secret is, it captures an all-round sense of wellbeing.
BOOK IT
Room-only rates start from €330 (approx. £290) per room per night during low season. During high season, the room-only rate starts from €610 (approx. £530) per room per night. Price based on a Deluxe Terrace Room. Breakfast is €35 (approx. £30) per person. valldemossahotel.com
An economy round trip from London Gatwick to Palma de Mallorca generates 407kg of CO2e. ecollectivecarbon.com
