By Anna Nicholas, TRAVEL WRITER
9 / 10 Telegraph expert rating
Family-owned Ca’s Xorc, an 18th-century farming estate turned rural-chic eyrie, is squirreled away in the heart of the Tramuntana mountains, surrounded by lush countryside. With gourmet restaurant, infinity pool and pretty gardens and terraces, this romantic retreat promises complete tranquillity and repose.
Location 9 / 10
Navigating the narrow, winding and bumpy mountain track to the property is a little hairy so it’s advisable to hire a small hatchback. Due to its location, a stay without wheels might prove limiting though nature lovers will relish the isolation and peace. Despite the hotel’s seclusion, lively Soller and its port are only 15 minutes away by car. In Soller, local attractions include Sant Bartomeu Church and Can Prunera modernist art museum and there are many shops and a vibrant Saturday market. Soller Port, with its horseshoe bay of golden beaches, is awash with cafés and restaurants.
A trip to idyllic Deia village, with its delightful pebbly beach and Can Alluny, erstwhile home of prolific English writer, Robert Graves, is a must and only 10 minutes away by road. This is a perfect spot for walkers and cyclists wishing to explore the heart of the Sierra de Tramuntana, a Unesco World Heritage site.
The distance to Palma airport is 22 miles (36km) and takes about 45 minutes by taxi.
Style and Character 9 / 10
Arriving at Ca’s Xorc is like stepping into a fairy tale or picture postcard. The historic green-shuttered stone house is flanked by a peaceful wide terrace and faces a pristine garden brimming with colourful flowers, that includes a soothing water feature. The views to the Soller Valley, sea and mountains are simply breathtaking and the air is pure and sweet. Inside the atmospheric property, there are old wood beams aplenty, antique tiled and cobbled floors, a stone well, and a grandfather clock and chaise longue in the entrance hall. Curious hippy artefacts are sprinkled about some of the cosy salons and there’s a reading room in which to read or relax with a glass of wine. Ca’s Xorc has a water recycling system and filters its water naturally, ensuring that it is reused for gardening purposes.
Service and Facilities 8 / 10
The small, friendly hotel team offers advice regarding cycling and hiking routes and can organise boat charters, bike hire and in-room or al fresco massages. The dreamy infinity pool with bijou wooden bridge overlooks the valley and is reached via various stone staircases and meandering pathways. It is surrounded by a patio with loungers and close by is a heated whirlpool and an honesty bar. The hotel has a car park.
Bar Laundry Parking Pool Restaurant Room service Wi-Fi
Rooms 9 / 10
There are 15 comfortable, individually styled rustic rooms, including two cottage suites in the grounds. Some rooms offer balconies and large terraces with outdoor furniture and loungers. They are all characterised by original tiled floors, simple wooden furniture, original fireplaces and ivory textiles. Coffee machines, kettles and minibars are provided as well as safes and air conditioning. Bathrooms, some of which include rolltop baths, offer Pure Herbs toiletries, ample fluffy white towels and bathrobes and slippers. Drinks can be ordered.
Food and Drink 9 / 10
At lunchtime, snacks and drinks are served by the pool and a three-course daily changing menu is on offer to hotel guests at €49 (£42).
In balmy weather, romantic evening dining with mountain views is offered by Ses Barretes gastronomic restaurant on the ambient candlelit terraces, surrounded by Mediterranean flowers and foliage. However, the internal restaurant, housed in the atmospheric old olive mill, is a treat. Starters include crispy scallops with Jabugo ham prepared in a creamy gorgonzola sauce with perfectly cooked endives €22 (£19) followed by mains such as beef tenderloin with a herb and goat cheese crust, peanut terrine and port sauce €35 (£30). The dishes are rich and indulgent and accompanied by a good selection of local and international wines. Service is courteous if at times, languorous, but this is a place to chill and relax without clock watching.
A buffet breakfast is served from 8.30am to 11am and can be taken inside the hotel or out on the terrace. It includes pastries, cake and breads, cold cuts and local cheeses and sliced tomato. Cereals, yoghurt, sliced fruit and cereals are provided and egg dishes and hot drinks are made to order.
Value for Money 8 / 10
Double rooms from €245 (£211) in low season and from €335 (£290) in high season. Continental breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.
Access for guests with disabilities?
Not suitable.
Family-Friendly?
Children under the age of 16 cannot be accommodated.
