Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá, Mallorca: Timeless glamour with a Riva twist
1960s architecture, slow luxury and seafront glamour set the tone for summer
We landed in Mallorca just in time for a sunset soirée – jazz floating through the air, cocktails in hand, photogenic yachts bobbing in the distance. The reason? The official launch of the Riva x Gran Meliá partnership at Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá – a new collaboration bringing the heritage Italian yacht brand to one of Mallorca’s most stylish hotels. Between the freshly unveiled Riva Lounge, the hotel’s new private Rivamare yacht, and a guestlist that included international jet-setters and Mallorcan high society, it was a fittingly glamorous start to the summer season.
Set into the cliffside in Illetes, about 15 minutes from Palma airport, Hotel de Mar Gran Meliá has been quietly serving grown-up luxury since the 1960s. Designed by celebrated Catalan architect José Antonio Coderch and affectionately known by locals as ‘the chocolate building’, it’s one of those rare properties that feels both timeless and totally current. Surrounded by tropical gardens and tall pines, with direct access to the sea via a secluded cove, it’s adults only, proudly peaceful, and a far cry from the louder scenes elsewhere on the island.
Arrival is smooth – all warm greetings, iced welcome drinks, and luggage whisked away before you’ve had time to clock the infinity pool. The entire hotel is built to face the sea, and from the moment you step inside, there’s no doubt what the main event is. Every terrace, every corridor, even the lift – all lead to those shimmering blues.
My room – the Royal Suite – was ridiculous in all the best ways. Two enormous balconies, one with sun loungers just off the bedroom for private morning sun, and sweeping views over the Med. Inside, soft marble floors kept things cool underfoot, while a spacious lounge area, butler’s pantry, and huge dining area gave it the feel of a gigantic private apartment rather than a hotel room. The design is clean and contemporary but still warm – think neutral tones, layered textures, and little luxuries like Nespresso machines and a Chromecast to stream whatever boxset you’re currently binging while getting ready.
The real star of the show, though, is the bathroom. Up a few sleek steps sits a jacuzzi-style whirlpool tub, perfectly positioned for soaking with a view through the bedroom and out to sea. There’s also a large rainfall shower, his-and-hers sinks, fluffy robes, and enough storage to unpack properly, which always feels like the height of holiday luxury.
The hotel itself is a maze of hidden corners and elevated terraces, all layered into the landscape. Pools are dotted throughout – not just one or two, but several across the property, each with its own charm and level of privacy. Some are tucked into the cliffside, others fringe the sea, and thanks to the multi-level design, it never feels crowded. Prefer saltwater? Head down to the private cove, where you can slip straight into the turquoise water and swim under the terraces above.
The poolside crown jewel is undoubtedly the Bombón Pool Club. Designed in collaboration with Alberta Ferretti, it’s a vision of striped parasols, curved ledges, and the sort of soft background music that makes time disappear. Service here is unhurried but warm – and once you’ve accepted you’re on Mallorca time, it’s easy to lean in. A cocktail might take half an hour, but you’ll get it with a smile, and honestly, what’s the rush?
Food-wise, Bombón serves a laidback Mediterranean menu that still manages to impress. The lamb is a standout – rich, slow-cooked, perfectly seasoned – and pairs beautifully with a cold glass of local red or something zingy from the cocktail list. Order a few plates, stretch lunch into late afternoon, and move only when the sun shifts.
In the evening, things take a more refined turn at Arrels by Marga Coll. Tucked away above the pool and lit softly by golden hour, it’s the kind of restaurant that feels quietly special without being stiff. Here, Mallorcan cuisine is elevated but not over-complicated – seasonal produce, big flavour, minimal fuss. The fillet steak was a knockout: perfectly charred, juicy, and served with just enough ceremony. It’s the kind of place that could easily feel pretentious but doesn’t – largely thanks to staff who strike the perfect balance between attentive and relaxed.
The newly opened Riva Lounge, perched just above the cove, brings an extra layer of elegance. With mahogany finishes, metallic accents, and those iconic Aquarama-striped chairs, it channels classic Riviera style in a fresh, Spanish setting. During the day, it’s ideal for an aperitif or light bite by the water. As the sun drops, the vibe shifts – think DJ sets, perfectly timed lighting, and the kind of easygoing glamour that happily overlooks still-sandy toes and Birkenstocks.
Guests can also now book the hotel’s private Riva yacht — a sleek Rivamare available for curated half or full-day charters. Think island-hopping along Mallorca’s rugged coastline, aperitifs at sea, and disembarking straight into beachside lunches or cliff-backed coves. As part of the launch itinerary, we spend an afternoon doing just that — and trust me, it’s the kind of thing that will ruin every normal boat trip forever.
Other facilities include a small but well kitted-out gym, a Clarins spa, and plenty of tucked-away chill-out zones where you can read, snooze or people-watch in peace. The breakfast buffet deserves a quick mention too – a vast, high-quality spread of eggs, fresh pastries, fruits, local meats and cheeses, plus plenty of shaded outdoor seating so you can enjoy it all with a view.
Service throughout is what you’d expect from a Leading Hotel of the World – thoughtful, polished, and efficient once you adjust to the local tempo. There’s no hustle here, no pressure to dress up or do anything at all. Everything is laidback but beautifully executed – from the glass of bubbles on arrival to the turn-down service.
What makes Hotel de Mar sing isn’t any one dramatic feature – it’s the sum of small, well-executed parts. It’s the ease of the layout, the space to breathe, the elegance of the design, and the quiet confidence of a hotel that doesn’t need to shout. Add in the Riva sparkle, and you’ve got a setting that feels both special and unbothered – just the way a proper escape should.
Whether you’re here to celebrate, switch off, or just float between sea and sun lounger for a few days, this is the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve left. And if you do happen to cruise off into the sunset on a Riva yacht with a spritz in hand? Even better.
