Urban Palma hotel in 12th century palace with a lux feel where contemporary design and ancient features merge

Nobis Hotel / Palma / Mallorca / Spain

Few hotel-related things makes me happier than when old and new is combined. When there is some kind of stunning building that has been around for a while, maybe seen its best days. And when some visionary entrepreneur comes into the picture, who sees what this building could be with the right amount of TLC (and a wallet with the right girth). And who also decides to take the plunge and make his/her visions come true. Just like with this hotel, the Nobis Palma.

The hotel is housed in a 12th century Muslim palace from the era when the Balearic Islands were under Islamic rule. The palace is built around shaded courtyards and is an imposing building. But instead of getting caught in too much history, but rather allowing themselves to be inspired by it, the interior has been filled with more contemporary Danish design. But don’t fret, It is one of those clashes that really works. They really don’t have anything in common but the result is really some kind of magic.

Nobis Hotel, which is part of the small but expanding Swedish Nobis hotel chain, is located in the maze-like old town of Palma, with narrow lanes and ancient buildings. As soon as you enter this 37-key hotel you are invited to sit down a plush sofa with something to drink while the attentive staff sorts out your check-in, followed by a tour of the premises. The gym, the sauna, the restaurant, the sun terrace, the bar, the lounge, they all have an elevated sense of design with a hint of lux.

In contrast to the public spaces of the hotel, which are designed with patterns and color, our room was muted in its design with soft hues, rendered walls and original floor boards. The design feels very tactile with wooden window shutters, a solid stone basin and flowy linen curtains. A room designed to recharge and relax. Before heading back out to take in the wonders of Palma.

This used to be a palace, dating back to the Islamic era of the Balearic Islands in the 12th century.

I love all these patinated features as you look around the hotel.

As soon as you enter, you are ushered to a lounge sofa and offered something to drink. My kind of hotel, for sure!

Our room was all about muted colors and soft features. I especially love the old floor boards.

One thing I really appreciated was the pre-packed pool bag.

One of my favorite activities, to explore hotels I stay at, with camera in hand.

This space, the bar/lounge was my favorite part of the hotel. Such a great space to return to when you needed a break from exploring Palma.

There is an inner lounge, that belongs to the suite, but is opened to us ordinary folk when the suite is not inhabited. This is a great example where the old and the new come together, and forms something truly unique.

Just outside the bar/lounge is where you’ll find the sun terrace.

And there is a small plunge pool right next to the restaurant.

The indoor pool (and there is also a sauna).

And luckily the hotel coffee is really good.

If you are on the hunt for great coffee (which we always are) The Barn has a couple of outposts in town and there is one really close to the hotel.

Another thing we usually try to look for when we travel is delicious gourmet pizza. And we found a great place called Santa Chiara.

This is a religion I would gladly sign up for and praise the holy mother of pizza.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…find yourself in Palma and you want to stay in a well-designed hotel with a rich past and a lux feel. If this sounds up your alley, you should check out Nobis Palma.

My favorite thing about this place…

…was the calm. Palma is so full of people, noise and impressions (which is great!). And for that reason it is so great when you can walk back to your hotel and as soon as you enter, the peace and quiet surrounds you like a warm embrace.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is The Barn Coffee. They have one of their outlets a short stroll from the hotel and is well worth a visit if you need a caffein fix. Another thing we are always on the lookout for is great pizza. We found a place called Santa Chiara Pizza. They have a couple of places around town and the nearest one is a 10 min walk from the hotel and their pizzas are simply delicious.

If you like this hotel you might also like:

Concepciò by Nobis / Palma, Mallorca, Spain

Brach Hotel / Madrid, Spain

Monastero Arx Vivendi / Arco, Trentino, Italy