If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that we have a thing for hotels that feel less like hotels – and more like a home someone very well-travelled happened to invite you into. That’s exactly what the Portella Palma felt like from the moment we stepped through the door.
Tucked into the historic old town of Palma on one of its most emblematic streets – Calle de la Portella – this 17th-century palace is honestly unlike anything we’ve stayed in before.
It’s not an adults-only hotel, but with its peaceful courtyard, romantic rooftop views, and the kind of slow, beautiful mornings that breakfast until 1pm makes possible – it lends itself beautifully to a couples escape.
„A peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, designed for those who value authenticity, privacy and understated luxury.“
The History Behind The House
Before it became one of Palma’s most talked-about addresses, the Portella was home to the Mallorcan painter Joaquín Torrents Lladó, who lived and worked here until his passing in 1993. The light in the so called Artist’s Corner – the very spot Torrents Lladó chose to paint – still has a quality that makes you understand immediately why he never left.
The house was then restored by the Paris based design studio Festen Architecture (the duo behind the concept) in collaboration with Mallorca-based Gras Reynés Architects. Their brief? To preserve the soul of the place rather than erase it. The result is a beautifully layered space where 18th and 19th-century pieces sit comfortably alongside 1950s Danish furniture, and cream-coloured lime walls meet terracotta floors.
The Rooms & Suites
The Portella has 13 apartments and suites in total: ranging from medium double rooms to generous two bedroom apartments, many of which come with a kitchenette for longer stays. We stayed in a medium double room, and it was absolutely beautiful. The interior is exactly my kind of thing: a muted, natural palette of wood, stone, and iron, with so many picturesque corners and aesthetic details that I kept finding new things to photograph. The kind of room where you actually want to just sit and take it all in.
The Courtyard, The Rooftop & The Arab Baths View
At the heart of the house is a traditional Mallorcan courtyard – all lush greenery, a gently murmuring fountain, and small corners that seem designed for reading or doing absolutely nothing. This is where the rhythm of the hotel lives. It sets the pace: slow, calm, unhurried.
Above it all is the rooftop terrace, with views over the Arab Baths, Palma Cathedral, and the rooftops of the old town stretching out in all directions. Sun loungers, a fresh water shower, a cold drink – imagine yourself here soaking in the sunset views.
„…filling the surrounding spaces with light, calm and a sense of effortless ease.“
Breakfast (Until 1pm – Yes, Really)
Honestly? This was our absolute highlight. The breakfast at Portella runs until 13:00 – and in a world that wants you checked out by 11am and through the buffet by nine, this felt quietly radical. The selection of dishes was just perfect: thoughtful, fresh, beautifully put together.
And then there’s the yoghurt. My fiancé – not someone who usually comments on yoghurt – looked up midbite and said it was genuinely the best yoghurt he’d ever eaten. With granola. A small detail, maybe. But somehow it said everything about how Portella approaches the whole experience: nothing is an afterthought, not even breakfast. 🙂
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a big lobby, a swimup bar, and a resort experience – Mallorca has plenty of that. But if you want to feel like you’ve been handed the keys to the most beautiful private house in the old town – and left entirely to your own devices – Portella is your answer.
My Top 3 at Portella Palma: The stunning interior, the incredible breakfast & breathtaking views from the Rooftop.
