Calle Balanguera 37, Palma de Mallorca, Spain | (888) 604-6432
Stylish, small rooftop pool with cabanas and city views
Thoughtful, sleek design and modern amenities
Big, bright lobby with bookshelves, tables, and chairs
Quality continental breakfast in pretty dining room
10-minute walk from the center of Palma
10-minute drive from Palma airport
Free Wi-Fi
No spa
The 40-room HM Balanguera is an innovative, urban boutique packed with design, lots of sunlight, and an inviting rooftop pool. Artsy but homey, common areas are striking with their modern style, while the rooms -- more subtly decorated, in mostly all white -- convey a rustic, restful ambiance. Located on a quiet residential street a 10-minute walk from the center of Palma, it's well-placed for taking in the main sites, but for a similar price, a livelier location, and more amenities (including a spa), it's worth checking out the nearby HM Jaime III.
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Scene
Modern, artistic boutique with striking decor
The crisp white walls, playful light fixtures, and cheeky art that characterize the HM Balanguera almost make it feel more like a hip urban gallery than a hotel. Reception is stunning, with an immediately eye-catching accent wall made of logs contrasted by cacti, books, big splashy colorful paintings, and lots of sunny chairs to lounge in. It all feels elegantly minimalist -- the kind of coy, yet thoughtfully orchestrated design that stylish urbanites are known for. As a four-pearl hotel, it is well-tailored to the city-loving traveler with an eye for design and culture. Though there is also a sleek conference room, the overall vibe of the property is more geared toward leisure and relaxation.
Location
Local neighborhood just a 10-minute walk from the city center
The immediate area surrounding the hotel is ordinary -- there are a few local stores, bars, and restaurants, but nothing that a temporary visitor might find particularly interesting. Just a 10-minute walk away, however, is the center of Palma, from where major sites like the Seu Cathedral, The Arab Baths, and the posh Paseo del Borne can be easily reached. The airport is under 20-minutes away by public bus, though to visit the island's beaches and quaint towns, it's probably best to rent a car. Despite being right on the street, the hotel is extremely well-insulated from outside traffic noise.
Rooms
Minimalist, crisp rooms with a rustic flair
With accents like wallpapered ceilings and hanging light bulbs, rooms at the HM Balanguera are as stylish as the hotel's lobby. Predominantly white with black and brown accents, rooms have a very natural, almost rustic feel which is brought out by wood paneled doors and a chunky sink basin made out of a tree trunk that sits in the bathroom. High-quality toiletries, a hairdryer, flat-screen TV, and a minibar are all standard.
Features
Not-to-be-missed rooftop pool and excellent attention to detail all-around
While everything is stylish at this chic boutique, its rooftop pool provides the biggest wow factor. Though tiny, it offers gorgeous views of the city, and its white cushy loungers and cabanas with billowing white curtains add an air of bohemian romance. The dining room, accented by one long table, feels very homey. There is poetry stenciled on the walls which masterfully plays on the name of the street that the hotel is located on. Few details are overlooked, and you really get the sense that everything in the hotel was designed not only to be visually appealing, but to engage the mind and toy with the senses.
