In 2024, The MICHELIN Guide is announcing the first ever MICHELIN Keys – a brand new distinction that recognises the most outstanding hotels across the world. Cap Rocat is a Two Key hotel in Mallorca. Find our selection team’s official take here.
And below, take a peek inside one of this hotel’s signature spaces.
Above: Scenes from room 11
The Space:
Carved out of the rocky cliffside of this former fortress, room 11 is where a cannon once sat guarding the sea. Today it’s one of three Sentinel suites — and among the most creative luxuries at Cap Rocat.Where:
On the southern tip of the Bay of Palma overlooking the Mediterranean, it’s one of Mallorca’s most private and unspoiled areas.Who Stays Here:
Newlyweds, splurging couples, and celebrities. This is a once in a lifetime stay — with a matching price tag in the thousands per night.What It’s Like:
Open the door to room 11 and there’s a simply stunning view of the Mediterranean sea. The gradation of blues, the sparkle of the water, and the brilliant light combine for a hypnotic panorama. Even more impressive, it’s a view framed by stone — this suite was once an imposing overhang cut into the rock, the strategic dugout where the old fort placed a cannon to ward off enemy ships.Owner/architect Antonio Obrador was determined to preserve the identity of this place, remaking the hotel into one of unmatched luxury, but without erasing its history as an old defensive fort. The three Sentinel rooms are a perfect example of his execution. Apart from two extensions dug to accommodate a shower and bathroom, the architecture has been kept largely intact. The sandstone walls are original, and the exterior is arranged like a nest dug into the cliff.
Floors lined with local marble ensure you’re not roughing it, along with the large terrace, small saltwater swimming pool, and outdoor lounge that blends into the decor. There are no neighbors. You won’t even see a fishing boat in the water 40 meters below. It’s an ultra-intimate retreat, and to our knowledge, the best place in Mallorca to admire a sunset over the bay.
Above: Views from the hotel.
The Background:
Cap Rocat is housed in a former fortified citadel built on Cap Enderrocat to protect the Bay of Palma. You'll be staying in the midst of old guard posts, trenches, and fortified walls hidden among the rosemary plants. Rehabilitating this National Heritage fortress while preserving its identity and natural environment represented a colossal architectural challenge, which was rewarded with the Europa Nostra Heritage Award.The result is a firmly imaginative hotel in one of the island's most private and natural areas, surrounded by a protected marine reserve and squarely within a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA).
Environmental Considerations:
Set as it is in such a protected zone, they take serious care to do no harm. Cap Rocat is water-independent, has a composting system, and sources mainly local produce.Here's a hint:
A little jewel hidden away at a depth of 12 metres, in the most protected corner of the citadel, the spa is a work of art. Its swimming pool, set among stone walls, is bathed in natural light thanks to a well-placed glass roof. When you emerge from the water, you'll have a choice of treatments inspired by Turkish hammam or Ayurvedic culture.Room Service?
Each Sentinel room is a world apart. Here, you can enjoy all your meals facing the sea, including breakfast. On the menu, two options: traditional Mallorcan recipes from the Sea Club, and their more elaborate cousins from the La Fortaleza restaurant. Private dinners tailored to your tastes are also available.
Above: The Del Mar Suite and the hotel spa.
How to book it immediately:
Head over to the the hotel page and select “Sentinels.”What if I can’t book it?
In winter you can find a standard room here for under $500, but we can’t help but call out another in the higher price range. The Del Mar Suite offers a different but equally remarkable experience from the Sentinels.A small villa integrated into the fortress, it makes you feel like you own your own vacation home on the Mallorcan coast. The sea can be heard and seen from the bedroom, terrace, Mediterranean garden and infinity pool. Here again, the natural-toned décor celebrates simple, elegant luxury.
Hero Image: Cap Rocat – Mallorca, Spain
