1 luxury hotel & 3 fine dining Michelin restaurants around Canyamel:

After details to Mallorca’s north and southwest in terms of staying and dining in style in my previous posts, this one will deliver the same for the northeast around Canyamel. One more of this kind will follow, and that about Palma, the island’s capital. Some thoughts about Mallorca’s overtourism made the start to this mini-series, followed by a 15-day itinerary where I gave an overview about great luxury hotels and (Michelin) fine dining in four spots spread over this Balearic Island.

Before going into staying and dining in style in Mallorca’s northeast, first some information about this area.

Mallorca’s northeast, around Canyamel

When I mentioned at the hotel in Pollença where my husband and I were staying that our next stop was Canyamel, the Mallorcan receptionist was clueless about its loction. It is no wonder because this place is definitely one of Mallorca’s more remote corners. You find here on the island’s east coast – a bit more than a one hour drive from the capital – a pleasantly unspoilt vacation resort.

Canyamel boasts a so-called Blue Flag beach (symbol of clean sands and water excellence), but otherwise it is rather low-key with just a handful of hotels.

It is close to Artá (15 minutes by car), a culturally significant town, which is well worth a visit.

Staying in style in Mallorca’s northeast at Hotel Can Simoneta

In addition to the few middle-class hotels onsite there are two high-end hotels, which are sister properties. Both are adults-only and persuade with a secluded setting and lots of (free) space. There is Hotel Can Simoneta on the one hand, the older of the two (opened in 2004), with a fantastic setting between pines and sea.

On the other hand, there is the more modern Hotel Pleta de Mar, opened in 2017, amidst a peaceful pine forest.

They are both members of a small hotel group owned by a Mallorcan family.

We went for the former. And this because of Can Simoneta’s proximity to the sea and its contemporary yet classical Mallorcan style.

Location/Ambiance

There is one more thing to add as to Hotel Can Simoneta’s situation. It is more favorably located – compared to Hotel Pleta de Mar – , if you look for nearness to the sea. The hotel is positioned atop a high cliff with fabulous views of the Bay of Canyamel.

One of three buildings with guest accommodations is directly by the water. This is the Beach House, where my husband and I were staying.

From here, you can walk to Platja de Canyamel, the public beach in a few minutes.

I was very much in favor of the hotel’s vibe. It is laid-back yet sleek at the same time. When walking the grounds, you discover lots of wonderful spots where you would like to spend some time.

Each room has a designated open air space that is at your own disposal.

In addition, there are many more where you can settle down. It is a real piece of heaven for anyone seeking quiet and privacy.

Staff

We have experienced one of the best welcome ever at Can Canyamel. A lovely (German) lady let us know all the essentials and was able to fuel our anticipation. At another time, when we had asked for a taxi to a local gourmet temple – more about it to follow – , she let us know that their driver would bring us as he was free at that very moment.

But she was no exception. All the other staff we encountered, from the gardener to the restaurant personnel, were trained in the way of generous spirit.

On both time during dinner at Restaurant Can Simoneta (details follow) the hotel manager did the rounds to great guests, a nice touch.

Rooms/Pricing

The hotel is boutique, with 26 rooms only. Some are in the main house, which used to be a cow barn. Others are in the historic Guard House

and in the already mentioned Beach House.

They are available from 400€ (in low season). There are five categories to choose from, and each room is different from each other.

My husband and I had opted for a Suite Superior coming with a terrace,

a fantastic bedroom on the second floor (sea view from two sides),

a spacious bathroom in the mezzanine

and a small living room on the first floor.

Everything was kept in white and had a puristic feel. We paid 825€ per night including breakfast

in the first half of April.

Other facilities

There is a great infrastructure onsite (a restaurant, two swimming pools,



a spa,

a fitness room,

guest bikes), and this two times two because you can also use the facilities at the neighboring hotel (Pleta de Mar).

After these details to staying in style, here more information about where to go for Michelin fine dining. Out of my three tips,  two are onsite.

Dining in style in Mallorca’s northeast

As two prime restaurants are within easy reach, you do not have to venture far to get fine cuisine. Also the third one is close by, you get to it in less than ten minutes. And imagine, it even is the best dining spot on the island (two Michelin-starred).

1. Restaurant Can Simoneta by David Moreno (Michelin, Hotel Can Simoneta)

The chef is a native Mexican and you notice it straight away as he celebrates a fusion cuisine (Mallorcan and Mexican). He learnt with Andreu Genestra, a known Michelin starred local chef. We had dinner at Restaurant Can Simoneta twice, and we liked what we got.

With regard to food offerings, you could either go for à la carte or the tasting menu (90€). All the dishes come with a Mexican touch. We ordered both times from the à la carte menu, and I especially liked the two mains I had, Black Pig from Mallorca

and the Baked Turbot.

While service was good on our first visit, it was a bit slow in places when we dined here on another evening. Both times the servers were friendly and hospitable. The setting is pleasant with huge windows facing the pool.

2. Restaurant Sa Pleta by Marc Fosh (Michelin, Hotel Pleta de Mar)

When staying at Can Simoneta, this restaurant at its sister hotel is a short walk away. The scenery at Sa Pleta is lovely. You pass an open kitchen while entering.

Also the dining room conveys openness and is more modern than the one at our hotel.

When sitting here, you have beautiful views of the pool and can catch glimpses of the sea shimmering through the trees.

The kitchen is overseen by Marc Fosh, A Brit who has been living and working for almost 30 years in Mallorca. His main restaurant is in Palma where he received a Michelin star as first British chef on this island. Here in Canyamel he counts on Mediterranean cuisine coming from an open fire where the smoke and flames are responsible for unique flavors.

As at the sister restaurant, you can choose between à la carte and a tasting menu (90€). My husband and I opted for the former. While he enjoyed a delicious “Bombeta” Rice with Lobster,

I was enchanted by a fabulous Tartar of Prawns and Marinated Tuna

(both starters). The food in general was at least as good as at the neighboring Can Simoneta.

3. Restaurant Voro (2 stars Michelin, Cap Vermeil Grand Hotel)

Our dinner at this beautiful venue at the Cap Vermell Grand Hotel was one of the culinary highlights of our Mallorca stay.

Not only is the food superb, also the dining room is an absolute gem – stylish and sophisticated –

and service was immaculate.

On charge here is Àlvaro Salazar who has been working here since spring 2019. The Spanish born chef – from Andalucia – got his first Michelin star in 2015 at Restaurant Argos in Port de Pollença and his second in 2021. When coming to Canyamel, be brought along his whole team from the “Argos Project”. And still all its current members were already part of the crew in Port de Pollença.

As to food, you can choose among two tasting menus. “Voro” consists of 17 (125€) and Devoro of 22 (165€). Voro stems from the Latin word “vorare” and means “devour”. Devoro means more or less the same.  The basic idea of this dining spot’s concept is it to constantly evolve these two menus to an always higher level.

For our part, we went for the “Voro” menu. And it was a complete success! Each dish was well composed, with unexpected elements in each that made it a truly memorable dining experience.

Looking back and forward

A look at Mallorca’s out of control mass tourism made the start to a mini-series about this island. This was followed by posts suiting my “core business”, blogging about staying and dining in style. It began with a 15-day itinerary covering luxury hotels and (Michelin) fine dining. Then I went into each of four places on this Balearic Island (southwest, north, northeast and Palma) highlighting where to go for staying and dining in style. This very post was about the northeast and the next will focus on Mallorca’s capital, Palma.

Date of stay: April 2022

Pin it for later

The post Staying & dining in style in the NORTHEAST of Mallorca/Spain first appeared on Swiss Traveler