Set between Spain and the North African coast, the four Balearic Islands rise from the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. Each with its own distinctive character, the islands have a tremendously broad appeal to travellers of all ages and interests, and, consequently, offer a huge variety of accommodation options. Whether you’re dreaming of an off-the-beaten-track farmhouse B&B, a sleek seaside hotel or an opulent boutique property in a historic town, our Gurus’ pick of the best places to stay in the Balearic Islands has it all.

Some of our Balearic Islands collections:

• Best places to stay on Mallorca
• Best places to stay in Palma de Mallorca
• Best places to stay on Ibiza
• Best places to stay on Menorca
• Best places to stay on Formentera
• Best beach hotels on Mallorca
• Best family hotels on Mallorca
• Best luxury hotels on Mallorca
• The best beach hotels on Menorca
• The best family hotels on Menorca

Mallorca, the largest of the islands, is perhaps also the most well-known. Palma de Mallorca, the capital, is a gem, and the scenic coastline, with pretty villages fringed by pine forests and craggy limestone cliffs, is pure magic. Venture inland for majestic mountains dotted with charming rural towns and villages. Mallorca has a lively evening scene, too — as does Ibiza. Well-heeled partygoers will adore Ibiza, but the island also has a wonderfully peaceful side, with chic hideaways in traditional whitewashed villages, and a strong selection of design-led escapes.

For an even slower pace of life, look to marvellous Menorca. Famous for having more beaches than Mallorca and Ibiza combined, this understated island has long been a favourite with families as well as keen sailors. Biosphere reserves, national parks and quiet archaeological sites make this an ideal choice for outdoorsy types. Finally, little Formentera is the smallest and most southerly of the islands. Accessed by boat from Ibiza, this is the island to choose if you’re looking to switch off and simply unwind far from the crowds.

Wherever your journey leads you, it’s worth remembering that the best places to stay in the Balearic Islands fill up fast during the summer and school holidays. Travel outside these times if you can!

The Best Places to Stay in the Balearic Islands

For Old Town Charm

• Casa Alberti is a beautiful Mahón B&B in Menorca with 14 rooms in a restored private residence dating back to 1740. Pick this place for the elegant interiors, with big cosy beds and a warm, earthy colour palette. Breakfasts are served in the charming courtyard, and there's an honesty bar for evening tipples before or after exploring the city.
• Canavall has 11 individually decorated rooms with artisanal crafts, handmade patterned tiles and exposed beams. Apartments with private kitchens and terraces promise a little more independence. A romantic hideaway in a restored heritage property in Palma de Mallorca's old town.

For a Romantic Escape

• Hotel & Spa Es Mares has the feel of a traditional finca, with white-on-white interiors and pale wooden furnishings including four-poster beds. An adult-only hotel in Formentera with 18 guestrooms, a soothing spa and a refreshing swimming pool, it's a marvellous choice for a couples' escape. Savour delicious Mediterranean dishes, paired with carefully selected Balearic wines, in the chic restaurant.
• Finca Atalis is a secluded, adults only escape hidden amidst 75 acres of farmland close to Menorca's south-central coast. Stylish minimalist rooms and suites invite guests to soak up the beauty of their natural surroundings — sparkling ocean views included. Idyllic.
• Son Brull Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, formerly a Jesuit monastery with vast double olive press and 365 windows, has been transformed into a beautiful luxury hotel. The 23 guest rooms and suites have understated designer interiors and wonderful views over the hotel's vineyard. Stroll to the pool and sumptuous spa before enjoying candlelit dinners. Pure indulgence.
• Torralbenc boasts a collection of contemporary farmhouses set atop the grassy plains of Menorca's southern interior. Modern minimalist spaces invite the outside in, whilst a spa, award-winning cuisine and private pools add to the appeal. A fabulous honeymoon choice.
• Can Tres, a magical bohemian bolthole close to Formentera's Migjorn Beach, has just three guestrooms. Cool, airy rooms have whitewashed walls decorated with handwoven hats and baskets. Spaces open to reveal shaded terraces and verdant gardens. A romantic hideaway.

For Lively Partygoers

• El Hotel Pacha is an elegant contemporary hotel with spacious rooms featuring modern artwork in Ibiza Town. Enjoy delicious dishes at the restaurant, take a dip in the outdoor pool or party the night away at neighbouring Pacha, one of Ibiza's trendiest clubs. Hotel guests enjoy free club entry.
• Hotel Ocean Drive, overlooking Ibiza Town's yacht harbour, has become something of an island icon. Known for its retro-chic style, this central spot has smart rooms and suites with sea views and mid-century furnishings, as well as nods to the DJs and producers who have made Ibiza famous. Head up to the fabulous rooftop bar for live music within sight the glittering lights of the marina and the Mediterranean.
• The Sea Club is a laid-back oceanfront hotel with relaxed rooms set in and around a 100-year-old villa. Family-run since its inception in the 1960s, this is a top spot for those seeking a convivial, house party feel and stacks of timeless charm. Close to the bars and cafés of Mallorca's Cala Ratjada's main promenade, yet with its own lively bar and restaurant.

For a Wellness-Focused Hideaway

• Pure House invites romantic couples to hide away in blissful rural surroundings, just minutes from Ibiza Town. Pick this place for its natural beauty, with olive groves and pine trees galore, as well as hip, understated rooms and a superb saltwater pool. Yoga classes and organic cuisine add to the wellness focus.
• Menorca Experimental is a beautiful 19th-century finca turned boutique hotel in Menorca, with 43 rooms and suites — some with private pools — on 30 hectares of land. Designed as an artists' village of sorts with a focus on wellness and eco-living, this swish spot will delight creatives as well as foodies, who can gather to sip craft cocktails and taste Mediterranean flavours with a twist.
• Cas Gasi, a 10-bedroom boutique bolthole in Ibiza's verdant interior, has a relaxed, traditional feel. There's a strong sustainable focus, with regenerative farming producing organic fruit and vegetables in the hotel's grounds, free-range chickens for fresh eggs and an eco-conscious saltwater swimming pool. The spa is also fabulous.
• Finca S'Estelrica is a beautiful nine-bedroom boutique hotel in Mallorca with a strong eco focus. The restored farmhouse now includes airy spaces decorated in earthy tones with expansive rural views. Guests are invited to feast on garden-grown and local produce at breakfast or dinner, and to enjoy hiking or cycling in the area. Tranquil and soulful.
• Gecko Hotel & Beach Club is a glamorous seaside hotel with 30 rooms on a striking stretch of Formentera's coastline. The minimalist exterior reveals contemporary spaces decorated with modern art pieces and fresh blue-and-white textiles. Immerse yourself in the club's wellness offerings with yoga classes, a superb spa, healthy cuisine and a chic bar for evenings on the sand.

FOR DESIGN Aficionados

• Hotel Blanco is a design lover's paradise, with all-white interiors and lots of glass in a futurisitc building in Es Pujols on Formentera. A top spot for well-heeled couples or friends, this glamorous hotel has a big swimming pool, stunning contemporary suites with private pools, and cracking sunset cocktails. With 78 rooms and suites, the hotel has a more lively, urban feel than most on the island.
• 7Pines is an enormously indulgent clifftop resort on Ibiza's west coast. Polished suites feature glossy blue and white interiors, and some have their own plunge pools. A gorgeous modernist escape with a sensational spa, concierge service and delectable dining.
• Hotel Cappuccino, inspired by the flamboyant Parisian designer Jacques Grange, is a bold lesson in the magic of colour. A glamorous boutique spot in Palma de Mallorca, it will fascinate fans of patterned textiles and retro cool. The eclectic lobby bar serves unmissable cocktails.
• Bikini Island & Mountain Hotel is a design aficionado's dream, with bright murals, quirky craft pieces and wicker seating channelling 1960s cool. Relax at the stunning pool with its trendy terrace bar, enjoy rejuvenating organic treatments at the Santaverde Spa, and amble into Port de Sóller to explore on foot or by bicycle. An idyllic Mallorcan haven for couples or friends with an appealing bohemian spirit.

For Families or Groups

• Paraíso de Los Pinos is an unusual offering for Formentera. A luxurious collection of villas and apartments in Migjorn, it's a wonderful base for families or groups. Guests share access to a swimming pool, hot tub and gourmet restaurant, but accommodation units also have well-equipped kitchens, sitting rooms and private terraces bedecked in earthy tones.
• Can Talaias was one of Ibiza's earliest agroturismos, carefully converted by actor Terry Thomas in the 1960s. A secluded spot in the hills above the bay of Cala Mastella, it remains one of our favourites for families. Book one — or all — of the six rooms and enjoy a friendly welcome, as well as delicious meals sourced in part from the gardens. The ocean views are stunning.
• Hotel Rural Sant Ignasi, on Menorca, is a bright yellow-painted country house with antique curios in spacious bedrooms topped by exposed beams. A peaceful retreat with stacks of rustic charm, the hotel also has a swimming pool and tennis courts. There's horse riding at a neighbouring farm, too. Great for families with active and outdoorsy teenagers or older kids.
• Agro Can Gall, a 200-year-old farmhouse turned nine bedroom boutique hotel in Ibiza, has plenty of traditional charm. A wonderfully relaxing place to stay, it's ideal for families or groups of friends eager to make the most of the infinity pool, huge gardens and hot tub. Use the hotel bicycles to cycle to the beach.
• Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa, perched on the clifftops beyond Port de Sóller's centre in Mallorca, has superb suites, three swimming pools, a stunning spa and three restaurants. Brilliant for couples or families, this is a great choice for an active resort holiday, complete with a kids club, games room, bicycles and yoga.

FOR FOODIES

• Hotel Can Faustino, housed in a 16th century former castle in Menorca's Ciutadella, has muted, minimalist decor and a light, airy feel. Kick back by the two pools or at the sumptuous spa, and savour gastronomic Mediterranean cuisine at the elegant Faustino Restaurant. Speak to the team for culinary tips or to visit the hotel's vegetable gardens at Casa de Pau. A five-star gem.
• Jardi d'Arta has eleven rooms and suites in two buildings, one of which dates back to the 19th Century. A gorgeous boutique bolthole in Mallorca's Artà, the hotel is unusual in having a labyrinthine rooftop garden, with rose trellises and two pools shaded by palm trees. Add chic, understated interiors and a gastronomic Mediterranean restaurant headed by Chef Florian Schwarz and you have something truly special for romantics and foodies.
• Sant Joan de Binissaida has been transformed from a traditional Menorcan farmhouse into a charming 12-bedroom hotel. Surrounded by verdant gardens and a long-established olive grove, it's an idyllic rural retreat. The gastronomic restaurant has received Michelin acclaim, and showcases freshly caught fish paired with garden-grown vegetables. A foodie favourite.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR HOLIDAY VILLA

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca each have their own airports: Mallorca's Son Sant Joan Airport, Ibiza Airport and Menorca Airport. Formentera, on the other hand, is accessed by ferry from Ibiza. It's also easy to ferry hop between the islands, which are about eight hours by boat from mainland Spain. Catch a bus or take a taxi to your hotel from the airport of ferry terminal, or speak to your hotel about arranging a transfer in advance.
• The Balearic Islands are wonderful to explore with the freedom of your own transport! Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Expect hot, sunny summers, with temperatures averaging between 25°C - 30°C from June to August. This is also peak season. Travel in late April or May for a more tranquil experience; the off-season is lovely and you can expect some great hotel deals. The autumn months are also quiet, but can be very rainy.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Explore our list of all the best places to stay in Ibiza.
• Alternatively, expand your search to see our pick of the best places to stay in Spain.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.