Spain’s rugged Canyamel Valley, on the east coast of Mallorca, is a hushed departure from the high-energy capital of Palma. It is here, on the grounds of the new villa-strewn Cap Vermell Estate development, that Park Hyatt has made its European resort debut. Designed in the style of a convivial Mallorquín village, the 142-room property directly reflects its verdant surroundings, and the outdoors—and its seamless connection to the interiors—is accentuated throughout.
Referencing traditional Mallorcan hillside farmhouses, AECOM’s London office wove a landscape architecture narrative illuminating “a timeless retreat fusing the island’s agricultural riches with fluid, open spaces,” says principal director Ashley Scott. Terracing underscores the site’s steep topography, low dry stone walls were crafted from indigenous materials, and clusters of buildings flaunt olive and lemon trees. A cascading stream closely mirrors the route that a river would follow, while Plaza de la Torre, marked by the presence of a clock tower, “is the heart of the village. It’s how guests can orient themselves,” Scott points out.
London-based G.A Design came onboard to create the initial concept for the project, completing the interiors, which tie in closely with the architectural style and rely on local materials wherever possible. Meanwhile, Dubai-based Michelle Evans & Associates worked on Serenitas Spa and Café sa Plaça, and sourced the furniture for the hotel.
“The aesthetic is residential, classic, contemporary with a genuine sense of place,” says Su Ball, G.A Design’s executive director. “It was important that the resort should not dominate the landscape but instead allow the stunning backdrop of the valley and the mountainous woodlands to take center stage.”
Using the surroundings as a guide, an earthy palette of amber and olive hues complements natural finishes such as stonework, iron fretwork, local-style beamed ceiling, and ornate relief plaster details. A modern touch is achieved with the addition of working stone fireplaces, contemporary artworks, and lighting, says Ball. Local flora which grows alongside the buildings, will hide the resort over time, “adding to the idea of a secret hideaway removed from the hustle and bustle of the main resort strips of Mallorca,” she explains.
To reinforce the connection, guestrooms offer “light, fresh resort feel and strong Mallorquín accents,” says Ball. The layout mimics that of an amphitheater with vast balconies in natural yellow stone (sourced from local quarries) “affording lush views” over the village below, she adds. Bold, bespoke rugs are inspired by the textures of native trees, while headboards, in which guests can make out the subtly hidden face of a woman, also depict the island’s coastline.
The reception and lounge areas, with their library vibe and tarnished leather, are “meant to break the journey down, from the bright lights of the outdoors to the intimate spaces inside,” explains creative director K. Michelle Evans. For instance, the double-height living room is residential in nature outfitted with handcarved bookshelves, glass paned doors, light wood floors, and various seating vignettes, all set beneath a dark wood-trussed ceiling.
Among the Park Hyatt Mallorca’s numerous restaurants, the casual Café sa Plaça—inspired by the colorful antique tiles Evans was drawn to during a meeting at an old Palma apartment—stands out. A visit to a local architect’s home where she encountered a large, striking table in the kitchen, also influenced Evans’ vision: “It was handcarved and beautifully aged,” she says. She found the artisan who fashioned it and commissioned him to make one six months ahead of the hotel’s opening, “so it would create at least some of that character I had seen and loved instantly.”
Serenitas Spa is a villa with open courtyards and water features where the flooring incorporates traditional patterns and accent mosaics, while blue linen textiles and pastel blue shagreen chairs pop against soothing ivory bush hammered walls. Soft gray pebble bands mimic stone cliffs in corridors that lead to treatment rooms with wooden beams and private balconies. Aptly, much greenery fills the space. The experience, says Evans, is “meant to be a sensorial one.”
