Most visitors to Mallorca flock to the beach hotels, but there's a lot to be said for staying inland in one of its lovely, unpretentious, honey-coloured market towns. Especially when that town is Santanyi, tucked away in the island's southeast corner, but only 10 minutes' drive from some of its most idyllic turquoise coves. You feel far from the crowds, yet on your doorstep are trendy tapas bars, beautiful boutiques and a stunning stretch of coast.
By happy coincidence, it's also home to 2 beautifully restored and lovingly decorated townhouses, owned by German-born (but locally resident) architect-designer duo Maren and Peter Oehm. They poured their heart and soul into the project, and it shows. Moon House has gorgeous bespoke bathtubs made of smooth marmolina; Sea House has huge pastel artworks by Maren herself; both have airy beamed ceilings and witty chandeliers and box-sprung mattresses. Whichever you choose, you get 3 bedrooms, a high-spec kitchen, a cool indoor living-dining space, and - jewel in the crown - a secluded internal courtyard shaded by a palm or quince tree, with a gurgling plunge pool and plenty of outdoor furniture for lazy lounging. Chic, bohemian village life at its Mallorcan best.
Highs
- We loved the stylish interiors of Moon House: linen-dressed beds and gorgeous Moroccan lamps under lime-washed beams
- Sea House is more homely - perfect for a family with younger kids, plus a separate granny flat if you want to bring the grandparents
- Both have lovely terraces for sunbathing, a plunge pool for cooling off in, and alfresco dining
- Kitchens are, as you might expect, very high quality; and there are great restaurants along the road if you're feeling lazy
- You're 5km from the family-friendly sands of Cala Santanyi, and the cliff-ringed turquoise waters of Cala s'Almunia
Lows
- These are typical Mallorcan townhouses: quite dark, with no real garden, set on a (quiet) lane
- The plunge pools are small: for dipping rather than swimming
- If you're coming with friends, be aware that most bedrooms are doubles (not twins)
- The nearby beaches can get extremely busy in summer; plans are afoot to restrict car access
- There's a minimum 4-night stay (but arrival and departure days are flexible); and a sizeable one-off cleaning fee (charged separately)
- Boutique rentals
- 2 houses for 6-8
- Self-catering (restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Plunge Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
The beautiful boutique townhouses are similar in size (3 bedrooms) and layout (living spaces downstairs, bedrooms upstairs). Both have a rear-facing courtyard with plunge pool and outdoor seating, and are located a few blocks from Santanyi's pedestrianised centre.
Moon House (sleeps up to 6) - the more recent conversion - is sleeker and chicer, with a palette of creams, honeyed stone and lime-washed beams. Its gorgeous bespoke basins and tubs are made of smooth marmolina (poured marble and alabaster dust). Punched pewter lamps and latticed cupboard doors lend a hint of nearby Morocco. One bedroom has 3 windows over the street, a second has a private sunbathing terrace, while the third lies up its own (quite steep) staircase. All 3 are doubles, with ensuite bathrooms. Downstairs, the lovely living spaces flow into one another: kitchen - dining - sitting room (dark but cool). But you'll probably spend more time outside, lazing on the cushioned bench seats around the semi-recessed plunge pool. We think it's perfect for 2-3 couples or a family with older kids.
Sea House (sleeps up to 8) is slightly more bohemian and less 'designer', suited to a family with younger children or with grandparents in tow (there's a separate 'granny flat' across the courtyard). The open-plan living-dining room is bigger and brighter, with orange accents, well-stocked book shelves and a spidery wrought-iron lamp. French windows open onto a slightly larger courtyard, shaded by a palm tree. One bedroom (the only twin) is also downstairs, with a huge seascape canvas, and a shower room next door. Upstairs, under sloping eaves, are 2 pretty air-conditioned double bedrooms with cream walls, a glimpse of stone, sun-shaped gold mirrors and loads of storage space. These share a bathroom (tub and separate wetroom) and a lovely, spacious terrace with yin-and-yang sun loungers. This is where we spent our evenings, catching the sun's last rays and smiling at roof-level neighbours as they hung up their washing.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Both houses have a well-equipped kitchen: hob, oven, large fridge, toaster, coffee machine, plenty of pans and plates, sharp knives and (my litmus tests) egg cups and ice trays. Everything worked like a charm, and the ornate chandeliers (one with blown-glass red peppers dangling among the beads) add warmth.
Caretaker Barbara provides some bottled water (tap water is brackish), coffee, tea and wine to start you off; for your main shop, it's a 3-5 minute drive to Santanyi's 2 supermarkets. Top up at delightful bakeries and Mallorcan delis nearby, or the vibrant market (Wednesdays and Saturdays).
Also on your doorstep are several great little restaurants, including trendy Goli, and the chilled-out Llum de Sal, where we enjoyed homemade lemonade mocktails, superb sushi and Bossa Nova soundtracks. Maren also anticipates great things from the re-invented Sa Cova on the Placa Major: top tapas, buzzy vibes, live music.
Features include:
- Barbecue
- Chef on request
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Shopping service
- Toaster
Activities
- You've 3 gorgeous coves within 5km: sandy, family-friendly Cala Santanyi has watersports, beach bars and volleyball; fjord-like Cala Figuera draws crowds for its azure, pine-fringed waters and traditional wooden boats; idyllic, cliff-ringed Cala s'Almunia has the most sparkling seas, but barely enough space to lay your towel
- Near yachty Cala d'Or are a golf course and more tiny white-sand beaches, popular with Germans
- To escape the crowds, follow the coastal path southwest from Cala s'Almonia towards the lighthouse of Ses Salines: rugged cliffs and turquoise waters of almost Maldivian luminescence
- Or head inland to Moorish Santueri Castle (you can drive almost all the way), sitting atop a 400m peak with eagle-eye views over a tapestry of almond groves, pine woods and glistening villas
- Leave time to browse the arty boutiques of Santanyi, and the church of Sant Andreu; we liked of D-Tres (fashion, handbags, jewellery), Cult (boho clothing and shoes), and the ubiquitous colourfully glazed pottery
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
Best Time to go
The houses are open all year, and each season has its merits. Spring (April-May) and autumn (mid September-October) are our top tip, the perfect compromise between warmth and tranquility. In summer, the houses' plunge pools and thick stone walls will keep you cool (there are also fans but no A/C); beaches are crowded in July-August, so aim for June or early September if you can. Being in the heart of an active town, with good heating and insulation, the houses make an attractive off-season option, too.
Our Top Tips
Two artisanal gems: Vinos Artesanos Binissalem (round the corner in Santanyi) where Asuncion dispenses her hard-earned oenological prowess for a couple of Euros per litre; and the unbeatable Grimalt (in Es Llombards) for wonderful Mallorcan cheeses, all from cows' milk, and matured for 45-90 days.
To avoid traffic restrictions, ask Maren about the hourly shuttle bus from Santanyi to Cala d'Es Moro. Or follow the small coastal trail from the end of Cami de Cala Llombards.
To avoid traffic restrictions, ask Maren about the hourly shuttle bus from Santanyi to Cala d'Es Moro. Or follow the small coastal trail from the end of Cami de Cala Llombards.
Location
The houses are located in the town of Santanyí, in southeast Mallorca, 5km from the coast.
By Air:
Fly into Palma (50km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.
From the Airport:
You'll probably want a car, in order to explore the area. Hire cars are very cheap - but see our car rental recommendations. You can normally park for free on the street near the houses. Some of Santanyí's lanes are quite narrow; you might struggle in a large 4x4.
Detailed directions are provided when the booking is confirmed through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Mallorca and getting around
Airports:
- Palma de Mallorca 50.0 km PMI
Other:
- Beach 5.0 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape