Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts is taking on the management of the former Hotel Formentor, which is being transformed into the luxury Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor.
Mediterranean spectacular
Perched on the spectacular Formentor Peninsula and backed by panoramic vistas of the Mediterranean and the surrounding landscapes, the hotel was originally opened in 1929 within an expansive private estate.
Four Seasons teamed up with private equity investment company Emin Capital to plan extensive renovations to the existing property.
Natural preservation
The renovations are being overseen by architects Estudio Lamela and SCT Estudio de Arquitectura, with interior designs by Gilles & Boissier.
The resulting hotel will offer 110 rooms and suites, tastefully restored to the highest sustainable standards, preserving the natural surroundings. All of the accommodation will offer balconies with sea and forest views.
Extensive culinary offerings
Located an hour away from Palma de Mallorca Airport, the resort will offer extensive culinary experiences, including an indoor restaurant, beachfront restaurant and café, and a poolside bar and grill.
Additional onsite activities will include tennis courts and spa facilities. The site will further house three event spaces as well as outdoor options to take advantage of the natural landscape. It is also one of the only properties in the area with direct beach access.
Eco considerations
The project has been designed to respect and protect the natural surroundings of the 1,200 hectare (3,000 acre) plot through various environmental initiatives, such as the restoration of native vegetation and planting, reduced water consumption, rainwater harvesting and the use of grey water for landscape irrigation, heat recovery systems, solar power through use of solar panels, and food waste management systems.
Other initiatives include the use of electric vehicles and low energy consumption through a considered design approach.
Demolition and delays
Plans for the restoration have changed since the development was first announced in 2021. Carlos Lamela, executive president of the project’s architects, Estudio Lamela, spoke to local news outlet Majorca Daily Bulletin at the end of last year, outlining that while the original intention was to redevelop the hotel’s interiors but not the facades, a full demolition was eventually required.
He explained that it was impossible to maintain the original walls as they had deteriorated so much and the building was so precarious that it was impossible to comply with the technical specification. “From the outset we knew that it was a complex task, not because of demolition, but because of where it is, with the logistical difficulties that this entails, and because of its history. But everything will be reconstructed, adapting it exactly to the current parameters,” he said.
This may be a contributing factor as to why the schedule has now been pushed back. Originally the restoration was due to complete by the end of this year, but this has since been delayed to Q1 2024.
