You'll remember the ambiance of this place long after you've stayed. Unpretentious and relaxed, with no pressure to do anything other than laze by the pool and read a book, or wander through olive groves when the mood takes you, it is utterly restorative. Owners James and Paola honed their hosting skills at nearby Finca es Castell before opening their own agroturismo here, and are brilliant at creating a welcoming house party atmosphere that is laid back but quietly efficient; child-friendly but not offputtingly so for couples. With buddingly beautiful gardens, glorious pool and several terraces, there's plenty of space for everyone. Eleven rooms and family suites are spread across the old finca and new wing.
Italian-Kenyan by birth, Paola is a trained cook, and her homegrown dinners are a big draw, enjoyed in a lovely, candlelit, indoor-outdoor dining space. There is also a clutch of excellent local restaurants; this isn't a place to diet. But spend some time hiking and cycling in the glorious Tramuntana mountains (James will show you routes, or guide you if he's free), and you'll deserve the fabulous food and wine come sunset.
Highs
- If you want a boutique bolthole to escape and recharge, with simple pleasures and fine food, within 45 mins of a well-connected airport, look no further
- We loved the bucolic setting, surrounded by fields with the rugged Tramuntana mountains as a backdrop; views are incredible
- Great rates include a superb breakfast
- Only 11 rooms (a mix of doubles, twins and family rooms), which maintains the peace and personal service
- It's also well placed for day trips to Lluc, Pollensa, Alcudia and beaches
Lows
- The pool is too deep for young children to stand (1.5-2m)
- Some bedrooms have limited headroom
- The room decor is handsome rather than cutting-edge chic
- The delicious dinners are a set menu, and not available on Sundays or Mondays (but other restaurants are just 2km away)
- You'll need a hire car
Best time to go
Spring (March-April) and autumn (Sept-Oct) are ideal for walking. Summer (June-Sept) is good for swimming at Pollensa and Alcudia, though it can get very busy in August. Pollensa has a music and cultural festival in July-August. The finca closes for a few weeks from mid November to February.
Our top tips
4-5 days would be perfect for a relaxing break, with time for a couple of hikes, a visit to Lluc, a swim in the sea and maybe a game of tennis or golf. You might want to tack on a couple of days in Palma at the end.
Walkers should bring sturdy footwear, a sunhat, a big water bottle and, for offbeat exploration, tough trousers to protect against the tall, sharp-edged pampas grass.
Walkers should bring sturdy footwear, a sunhat, a big water bottle and, for offbeat exploration, tough trousers to protect against the tall, sharp-edged pampas grass.
- Boutique Hotel
- 11 rooms
- Breakfast + other meals on request (Tue-Sat)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The 11 rooms are spread between the atmospheric old farmhouse and a newer extension. Though simply styled, all are spacious and characterful, with whitewashed walls, beamed ceilings and terracotta-tiled floors. Beds are said to be super-comfortable, with memory-foam mattresses; add the perfect peace of the countryside and you'll sleep deeply - especially if you close the shutters. Smart ensuite bathrooms are lovely, some with Jacuzzi jets in their bathtubs or double sinks. Towelling robes and toiletries add homely comfort.
There are various categories of room to choose from; best are those with a balcony, which allow you to sit and gaze over golden fields and up to the craggy Tramuntana mountains. All you'll hear is the tinkling of goat bells.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Paola's mantra is 'everything is fresh, most of it is local and nothing is frozen.' Veg and fish come from the local markets, and the style of cooking is 'a bit of Italian, a bit of Mallorquin but always Mediterranean.'
Four-course dinners are served Tuesday-Saturday during high season, and the menu changes daily. Highlights are tortelloni filled with pumpkin and sage, sea bass with mango and avocado, and a slow-roast lamb shoulder. Puddings are deliciously indulgent (tiramisu, lemon tart, that sort of thing) and James keeps the Mallorcan wines flowing.
Breakfast is a superb buffet of local meats, several cheeses, homemade breads, fresh fruit and a homemade cake. Eggs and bacon can be cooked to order. For a change of scene, dining on Sundays or Mondays, or for a light lunch, there are a clutch of excellent local restaurants staff are happy to recommend, or you can pre-order filled baguettes at breakfast.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Hike marked trails into the pine-shaded valleys and limestone foothills nearby. One leads up to the cool springs and fir forests of Binifaldo; another winds up to Lluc monastery, where the blue-robed choristers of Es Blauets sing mass every morning. James can drive you to or from the trailhead for a small charge, and will often guide you for free, if he's not busy. A 20-min drive brings you to Alaro, whose mountaintop castle can be scaled via a beautifully engineered mulepath winding up the cliffsides
- Swimming: aside from the big square pool, there are long sandy beaches in the bays of Pollensa and Alcudia (20 mins’ drive), and smaller coves at San Vicente (30 mins) and Formentor (40 mins). All of these can get crowded in midsummer
- Sports: there are mountain bikes to hire at the finca, a riding school nearby, a tennis court (with free access for Ametler guests) less than 1km away, and several golf courses within a short drive. Paola has a friend with a boat in Alcudia for fishing trips
- Touring: there are some lovely market towns nearby, including local Caimari (the best olives and oil on the island), pretty Campanet (which also has caves and a Vauclusian spring), vibrant Pollensa (art & textile shops, cafés & restaurants, and a summer music festival), and industrial Inca (the centre of Mallorca’s leather industry)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Fishing
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Tennis
Kids
Families are welcome at this relaxed and simple hotel, and kids will enjoy the pool and gardens. Best for active outdoorsy kids who will enjoy mountain biking and walking.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Double Rooms can fit a baby cot or rollaway bed; Junior and Master Suites can fit 2 baby cots or rollaway beds; the Family Suite has 2 bedrooms (kingsize and twin) plus space for a baby cot; the Double Double Suite has 2 double/twin bedrooms, a double sofabed and 2 single foldaway beds (max occupancy 8 but this would be a squeeze!)
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool
- Children's DVDs
- Shady gardens to play hide and seek
Families Should Know:
The unheated pool is 1.5-2m deep throughout and not fenced
Distances:
- Airport: 45 minutes
- Hospital: 15 minutes
- Shops: 5 minutes' drive (Moscari)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hotel Son Ametler is just outside the village of Moscari in the northwest of Mallorca.
By Air:
Palma (44km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.
From the Airport
Transfers can be arranged through the hotel but you'll probably want a hire car to explore the local area; there's no public transport that easily reaches here. See our car rental recommendations.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when your booking is confirmed through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mallorca and getting around
Airports:
- Palma 44.0 km PMI
Other:
- Beach 22.0 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 17 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape