A Riad Hotel in Palma De Mallorca

You’d probably expect to find a riad in Marrakech. But on the Spanish island of Palma de Mallorca? That made me curious. Because every year we ask ourselves the same question after Christmas is over: what are we going to do on New Year’s Eve? I didn’t fancy Berlin or New Year’s Eve in Munich. I wanted warmer weather and didn’t want to fly so far away.
The riad and Mallorca. So our choice fell on Palma. And that turned out to be a really good idea. I had looked at various hotels online and was immediately impressed by one of them: The Palma Riad in the capital of Mallorca, directly above the Passeig del Born promenade. An “adults only” hotel, so a quieter location for our short break.
A riad with the flair of the Orient
How cool, Marrakech on Mallorca! A place that combines the flair of the Orient with the joie de vivre of the Spanish. The Palma Riad is a small boutique hotel with just eleven suites in the alleyway Carrer de Sant Jaume, in the heart of the old town. From here, you can explore everything that makes Palma special on foot: the cathedral, the many boutiques, galleries, bars and restaurants.
We had booked a week, and of course I couldn’t resist moving around the hotel every three days to try out the different suites. Each one was different, but each one was a gem in its own right. Our first suite had a patio with armchairs and a daybed, an incredibly beautiful bathroom with a comfortable shower and a bathtub that I had never seen in this size in a hotel before. And I have stayed in many hotels around the world.
Next, we booked the Hamam Suite for New Year’s Eve. It was very spacious, with a huge bathroom – the hammam – including an indoor pool-like bathtub in which four people could have easily bathed. Both the bathroom and the living area had a gas fireplace. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in operation during our stay, which I thought was a shame. I think we should have been told this when we booked. But anyway, everything else was fine.
Our suite hopping
We stayed in the Terrace Suite for the last two nights. It became our absolute favorite because it was exactly what we wanted. It was equipped with the same bathroom as the first suite we stayed in. There was also a fantastic terrace with a view of the starry night sky. The price included a generous breakfast and, of course, the extensive minibar.
Although we didn’t use the minibar as much, we visited the “Marokko” bar in the hotel all the more often with its legendary cocktails and lovely, cozy atmosphere. The restaurant of the same name serves fusion cuisine with menus that combine cultures from around the Mediterranean, from Spain to Morocco. There is also an Asian influence that can be found throughout the hotel.
The Hotel Palma Riad is certainly one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed in. It was designed by the well-known Spanish interior designer Pablo Peyra from Barcelona and his team. It opened in 2021. The Palma Riad is recommended in both winter and summer. The staff are lovely and – although not inexpensive – the price/performance ratio is right in every respect.
Wide range of restaurants
And you don’t have to go hungry when you stay at the Palma Riad. There is a wide range of restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Right next to the boutique hotel is the restaurant „La Boudeguilla“, sehr empfehlenswert für Tapas und Schmorgerichte. Gegenüber findet man das „Tast“, ein Restaurant über mehrere Stockwerke mit schönen Räumlichkeiten und fantastischem Essen.
Of course, a visit to „Bar Bosch“, just 1000 meters away, is a must: the sandwiches are legendary. The “Bar Bosch” is a classic among Palma’s historic restaurants. It has been run by a chef named Bosch (pronounced “Bosk”) since 1936 and was taken over by Onofre Flexas in 1975, whose family still runs it today. Although the bar underwent a thorough facelift a few years ago, it has lost none of its old Mallorcan flair. Even the tables and chairs are still the same as they were in the 70s.
A little further away, in the old fishing district of Molinar, is the Periplo Portixol. The casual restaurant offers a beautiful view of the bay of Palma. The culinary highlight is the carefully prepared fish and seafood dishes, which are bought fresh daily at the market and mainly prepared on the open grill.
Shopping experiences
Of course, I didn’t miss the opportunity to explore the fashion stores in the area. Here are my favorites: The „3essence“ is a cool fashion and lifestyle store with cool brands such as Avant Toi and R13. Another location opposite the concept store makes sneaker fans’ hearts beat faster with brands such as “Autry”, “Hidnander” from Italy and “Japan Enterprise”, as well as belts and bags from “Ralph Gladen”.
„Folklorious“ in Carrer dels Paraires, 13, is an extraordinary store with clothing and accessories that reflect individuality. Many of the items are handmade by skilled artisans from all over the world and showcase the beauty and versatility of natural materials. For example, the handmade wayuu mochila bags in boho style or totes woven from leather. The fluffy Calla clogs are traditionally handmade in France in the Audouin family’s studio from recycled old Boucharouite rugs, making each pair truly unique. You can also store the items online.
I was also impressed by the Massimo Dutti Shops. The range for men and women in their own stores is much larger than here. The stores are luxuriously furnished and very spacious. The flagship store is located in Sant Feliu on Mallorca.

CultureAndCream author
Chris Stricker lives in Berlin and Munich. Professionally, she deals with brand communication. She usually gets her inspiration from traveling. Since that is not possible at the moment, Chris is enthusiastically researching what’s new in the areas of fashion, beauty and design.