Belmond La Residencia

We just returned from the Belmond in Deia. What a stunning property. The service is elegant, refined and first class, without being stuffy. The food/views from the restaurants and terraces are the reasons people travel. Old limestones buildings, combined with the olive trees and flowering gardens make this location and experience, one that most people will not forget. It is just gorgeous. The rooms and pool areas are unparalleled. I could stay here again and again. A truly 5 star experience.

I won't repeat myself, only to marvel at the rooms, grounds and pools, Indoor and out. The wonderful staff with so many who have been here for years. Differences this visit? The 'cover charge' has become a payment for bread,olives, and tapenade. A step in the right direction. The hotel now seems to have cycling groups in the spring and autumn. I would recommend Breakfast after nine as they all seem to arrive together before then! Our North American cousins are present in greater numbers, even more than before 9/11. This seems sensible marketing by the hotel, not least because the rising prices in the bars and restaurants, and the falling pound must lead to a reduction in number of British guests. Any niggles this visit? Yes I can't stand the naff name plates of donors tied to the olive trees, perhaps I'm in a minority. I also miss the paper news sheet telling of activities taking place in the next few days. Still no hotel like this, however, in Europe.

We had a great 4-night stay. Expensive but great. The room - 73 - was huge, spacious bathroom and most importantly, the terrace with its plunge pool - which faced the sunset. Couldn't have been more perfect. The staff were all so charming - helpful - swiftly responsive - again, really great. Deia has so many good restaurants and between the hotel's restaurants and those in the town we were very well fed. The three pools are good - a big 'everyone' pool, the not-too-small adults only one, and the indoor pool. Amazing massage from Victoria. This trip did exactly what it was supposed to do, and the hotel was entirely responsible!!

I'm so torn about this because I found the hotel to be stunningly gorgeous. The grounds are breathtaking, from the sculpture garden to both pools to the tennis court with 360 degree views to the terraced hillsides... this is one of the most gorgeous places I have ever stayed in my life. The grounds are large and everywhere you wander there is some new beautiful nook or corner to discover. I loved the pool, I loved the (included!) breakfast buffet and of course the level of service was impeccable. But... but but but. For the price of what I was paying for my room (and I had the least expensive room available), I expected more. The room itself was tiny - barely enough room to open my suitcase - and didn't have any kind of view. The bed was large but not very plush or comfortable. I know this is Europe and I can't expect gigantic American-style suites everywhere I go. BUT what was most disturbing was I was given a room that was directly adjacent to the space where the cleaning staff would go to replenish their supplies and to store the garbage and linens they removed from other people's rooms while cleaning! So not only did I wake up to loud conversations and the clanging of cleaning supplies directly outside my door every morning, but literally every single time I left my room or came back to my room, there were messy piles of empty bottles, coffee cups, water glasses, and room service trays stacked up DIRECTLY OUTSIDE MY DOOR. Not to mention crumpled up bedding and the occasional deflated pool float! I was paying over $500/night and coming home to actual garbage outside my door. This was very upsetting. In addition to that, there were some little up-charges that seemed unnecessary given the high cost of the rooms. They had water bottles available if you asked at the front desk, but if you tried to order water at the pool, you'd have to pay $6 a bottle. We asked for bread at lunch and were charged 11 Euros. That kind of thing did not make me feel good about my choice to spend so much money to stay here, and I can't say that I would make the same decision in the future, even though it is a truly stunning hotel and the staff was extremely kind and accommodating.

We've just spent a wonderful weekend at this stunning property in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage environment. The views are absolutely mesmerizing, it's like staring at a work of art. The decor is spot on, with cozy and arty details all over the place. The gastronomic range is as wide as is well designed and the delivery does not disappoint either. They offer both tapas, fine dining and multiple options for those with dietary restrictions. They are quite adequate for families and also for couples with no kids, with some spaces for adults only. If anything the place is slightly overpriced both in the lodging costs and in F&B. Rooms are lovely but bathrooms could use some updating, as they look quite aged and don't match the price tag expectations