Belonging to the Five-Star Alliance of the world´s best hotels and the Luxury Hotel Collection the “Castillo Hotel Son Vida” breathes the grandezza of long-forgotten times. The historic building from the 13th century presents itself to hotel guests in a truly impressive way as soon as they enter.
The current estate rises on the former lands of one of the most important estates in the city of Palma, Son Vida, which was owned by the Vida, Desmàs and Trullols families. The origins of the estate date back to the 13th century and over time the property has passed to new owners through inheritance and redistribution of the land.
One of the most significant changes took place at the beginning of the 20th century with the construction of a villa modelled on the neo-Gothic Castell de Peralada (Girona) with a tower that still impressively welcomes guests. This property was a gift from Fernando Truyols y Despuig to his wife Magdalena Villalonga and the building and the associated land remained in her possession until it was sold in the 1950s. There is a big fine art collection from this time, still belonging to the Son Vida Hotel.
Today after just six steps, the entrance leads directly into the centuries-old part of the Castillo – the part that illustrious and prominent people have probably passed through a thousand times in its history. On June 23, 1961, the castle opened its doors as a luxury hotel – the guest book at Son Vida is exorbitantly opulent.
King Edward VII, known for his commitment to foreign policy, came to Mallorca as early as 1905 and left his mark on the hotel’s history.
Dictator Francisco Franco (1947) and Prince Rainier (1960), who came to visit the Son Vida construction site at the time, were followed by major international celebrities.
And the following year, when Mallorcan winemaker José Luis Ferrer pompously opened the hotel, they also made an appearance on the island. Other celebrities, such as ship owner Onassis and Maria Callas, Grace Kelly, Anthony Quinn, attended a subsequent summer party organised by the Prince of Monaco.
They all must have enjoyed the view of the city of Palma at night, when the lights illuminated the place and the yachts. It was the time of the first modern hotels and the tourist boom on Playa de Palma.
In 1995, the hotel was purchased by the Schorghuber Group and renamed Castillo Hotel Son Vida. The hotel underwent a full renovation in 2005. Today, Castillo Hotel Son Vida draws influential guests from all over the world. Son Vida is considered the most exclusive and prestigious residential area on the island. What was once considered one of the most important estates in medieval Palma is now a town that is a symbol of a luxury residential area in Mallorca.
This very special place is the official hotel für participants and guest in the ICONS Mallorca 2024.