Son Gener

Rooms

The 15 suites are 'junior' by name but not by nature; there are no duff rooms here. Most have 4-poster beds wrapped in gauzy curtains and all have a private terrace. We revelled in our suite's space and understated quality design: a vast kingsized bed with crisp linen, linen-covered armchairs and high wooden rafters. Double doors opened out to our stone-walled terrace with sun loungers and views to the distant sea.

One of the suites even has its own roof solarium with 360-degree views of the countryside (you reach this by going out of the room to an external staircase). Most are in the main finca, but five other beautiful suites are in a completely separate, modern wing which flanks one of the pools. It takes a few minutes to reach them, but they ooze peace and tranquillity.

Bathrooms have limestone interiors but share the same ceiling as your bedroom giving additional sense of space and light. All have baths and walk-in showers. You get large fluffy towels, bathrobes, slippers and a selection of delicious-smelling Bulgari toiletries.

All rooms have satellite TV, air conditioning (although it still gets quite warm at the height of summer), heating (for winter), minibars, a safe and hairdryer.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

It's easy to see the restaurant's use of fresh local ingredients for yourself. Baskets of organic vegetables are carried from the gardens to the kitchen each day. Fresh flowers from the garden are on every table.

You can take your breakfast inside or out on the terrace with the garden and orchard before you: when the weather's fine and the bougainvillea flowering, there are few spots as nice to start your morning. Orange juice is fresh as can be. There's an excellent buffet to fill you up: cakes and croissants, luscious homemade plum and apricot jams, ensaimada (a feather-light but wickedly fattening Mallorquin pastry), sobrasada (a local red sausage), as well as bowls of fruit yogurts, interesting cheeses and slithers of succulent Serrano ham. If this isn't enough, they will cook you egg dishes if you ask; we tried the Mallorquin omelette and it was very good (although very rich!). If you need a snack at lunch, they can whip up a sandwich or salad.

For dinner the restaurant (only open to guests) serves a selection of classic Mallorquin recipes. Don't expect the haute cuisine standards of sister hotel Convent de la Missio in Palma - this is simple, country fare prepared by local matriarchs. You need to book in earlier in the day, and it's a daily set 4-course menu with an option of fish or meat for the main (vegetarians should let the staff know earlier in the day if they want a veggie meal prepared). We loved the lubina (sea bass) and turbot served with a huge dish of delicious tumbet (a local speciality made with sliced aubergines, courgettes, tomatoes and potatoes - all fresh from the garden).

If you're staying for several nights, you can ask for just a main and dessert, for a reduced cost, but note the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Locally, the funky Cafe Parisien in Artà (Calle Ciutat, 18) with its lovely courtyard garden is a good spot for a coffee, light lunch (the pasta is excellent) or evening drinks.

Features include:

• Bar
• Dinner by arrangement
• Lunch by arrangement
• Organic produce
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Stroll around the gardens, orchard and grounds or simply relax on a sun lounger and enjoy the views. In winter cosy up next to one of the open fires inside and flick through the fascinating coffee-table books and glossy mags
  
• The spa is small but perfectly formed, with indoor and outdoor pool, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and exercise studio used for gym and yoga classes. Massages are available in the mornings
  
• There are 4 golf courses within a few km and the hotel can arrange tee times
  
• Visit Arta (15-minute drive), a charming historical town set in the rolling Serres de Llevant mountains. Wander up its honey-hued maze of alleyways to the hill top chapel of Santuari de Sant Salvador
  
• The Coves d’Arta, 5km southeast of Arta on the coast, is a dramatic series of caves reaching 450m in depth
  
• Explore some of Mallorca's east coast beaches: Cala Agulla or Cala Mesquida - both quite large with white sand and turquoise water and easily accessible by car, or remoter Calas Torta and Mitjana - smaller sandy coves found at the end of a winding country track
  
• Visit the pretty medieval fortress town of Capdepera with its fine views over the east coast
  

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Sailing
• Swimming
• Well being
• Yoga

Kids

Children are welcome; cots and extra beds can be provided on request (subject to availability). The pool and gardens will keep kids amused for a while and there are sandy coves nearby but there are no special facilities and this is definitely a quiet spot (teenagers would not thank you for bringing them here!). For those with toddlers please note the pool is not fenced off.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Son Gener is located on the eastern side of the island, not far from the ancient town of Arta and with distant views of the sea.

By Air:
Fly to Palma. Son Gener is a 60-minute drive from the airport, between Arta and Son Servera.

By Car:
If you plan to explore the island, see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be given you to once your booking is confirmed through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Mallorca and getting around