Stepping outside one's hotel suite on to a broad veranda and a swim-up channel overlooking an impressive Philippe Starck marina (and the Mediterranean beyond) makes one feel kind of special. This is no doubt the sole intention of Miguel Amengual, who founded Pure Salt Luxury Hotels in Mallorca and has spent around eight million euro revamping this 93-room, five-star Port Adriano property to satisfy a growing luxury-seeking clientele.
In doing so, the Amengual family is in the vanguard of hospitality change on the largest Balearic island with an increasing number of hotels now being created. “There is a demand for high-end holidays and we fully intend to help satisfy those clients’ needs by providing the best of comforts in select settings,” said Miguel Amengual Delgado, director of sales and marketing.
Nestled on a cliffside in the exclusive southwestern area of Calvià, Pure Salt Port Adriano comprises a large cream-colored building and two formidable tower-like sections with a giant 'S' adorning the facade. A short, circular driveway fronted by a rose garden and olive trees leads to revolving entrance doors and a simple two-desk reception inside.
The lobby is spacious, encompassing a mix of gleaming chrome metal, abundant potted plants and flowers, speckled Italian marble floors, pure white pillars and plush soft seats and leather armchairs. One wall features a screen with an ever-changing set of colorful photos illustrating different aspects of the hotel. Nearby, behind glass cases, are exquisite jewelry items by Isabel Guarch.
Floor-to-ceiling windows offer generous views on to a broad outdoor veranda overlooking the sea. Here are guest lounge chairs on grassy slopes among palm trees, rocking chairs and soft-cushioned wicker seating on a brass-colored stone-tile terrace beside an open plunge pool.
Ever had an angel watch over you as you sleep? In our room, 3011, that's exactly what we enjoyed, courtesy of a Raphael Sanzio High-Renaissance painting reproduced on the wall behind our bed, a contemporary take on an Italian fresco. Quality furnishings made relaxation easy, both indoors and out.
Aside from the swim-up channel, which I used to ease morning drowsiness, we also had a Jacuzzi-style bathtub behind a glass wall separating the bathroom from the bedroom, as well as a double sink, leather couch with fronting glass coffee-table and ample cupboard space. Outside, chaise lounges and patio chairs meant we could idly observe people practicing stand-up paddle offshore, boats sailing gracefully in the warm breezes and yachts leaving and returning to the marina.
For added pampering, there’s the hotel’s ‘O’ Spa Center, where facilities include a heated pool, spa, sauna, steam room, gym and a hair salon (by appointment). While there, I delighted in a comprehensive deep tissue massage from Roseangela who used fingers, hands and forearm to loosen stubborn knotty tissue while my companion basked in an Aqua Immersion facial performed by Thai-native therapist Thai Nai. It began with an inhalation of natural flower scents, a short stretch and pressure massage, a cleansing and then application of a mask. Other treatment options include Swedish and aromatherapy massages; abhyanga, full-body, rhythmic and rejuvenating with warm essential ayurvedic oils; murdha taila, a specialized scalp massage and lomi lomi, a Polynesian practice. Foot and hand reflexology is also offered, as well as a range of other facials such and clay masks.
Aside from indoor and outdoor pools, the hotel also offers free shuttles to the nearby marina and public beach just below the property. Golf aficionados will be delighted to know that a number of courses are close by, (including Santa Ponsa and Poniente) to which free transfer is offered. Pure Salt Port Adriano also has its own golf simulator, using FlightScope. Other activities organized by the hotel include yoga and DJ nights. In terms of business, two meeting rooms—Neptuno and Marina—have a capacity of up to 90 people.
As for food, Chef Fran Macías, a member of the Majorcan Haute Cuisine Chefs’ Association, provides a varied selection. Breakfast can be taken inside the restaurant or on the wide terrace and comprises a full-range buffet with a selection of à la carte hot items.
Our dinner at Adriana Restaurant, taken alfresco under a balmy sky, featured starters of rock fish soup with a touch of Menorcan saffron and foie gras served crème brûlée style with a thin crust of burned sugar accompanied by apple compote, fresh strawberries and chives gelée. This was followed by prawns sautéed in a wok with vegetables and sweet chili-lime sauce, pan-fried Mediterranean red shrimp with a lightly spiced Thai sauce and roasted turbot with garlic, spinach, potatoes confit and gravy.
Pure Salt Port Adriano is a modern, high-end property occupying a natural setting overlooking a luxury marina and the sweep of the Mediterranean, perfect for sea lovers and those wishing to bask poolside while enjoying fine food under a warm Mallorcan sun.
