Hotel Tres by Petit Palace

The charming and stylish Hotel Tres is a tranquil respite from the bustling commercial activity outside its doors with its clean, contemporary design and an oasis of a rooftop with splash pool and sauna. Yet despite its modern aesthetics, a touch of history and classic Mediterranean flair has been lovingly preserved inside this 16th-century building, with exposed wood beams, a towering palm tree inside the stone-floored courtyard, lovely balconies, and imposing archways. These historic and rustic elements complement the minimalist Scandinavian design that includes a sleek modern glass staircase, soft colors, and an abundance of natural light that imbue spaces with a sense of airiness. Overall, the Hotel Tres is a sleek, chic, and comfortable property that suits the needs of both the urban culture-seeker, as well as the business traveler. The hotel is particularly popular with Northern Europeans tourists in search of a sunny escape and Spanish flavor.

In the '80s, the neighborhood surrounding the Hotel Tres was a hotbed of vice, but few remnants of that past remain. Today, the area exudes classic Majorcan charm, with lots of tapas bars and small specialty shops (a confectioner's shop, an umbrella shop, and a stocking shop line the street) mixed with chain stores. Conveniently located on the edges of Palma's Old Town, the hotel is within walking distance of the main sights, including the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma (five-minute walk), the Es Baluard Modern Art Museum (six-minute walk), and around the corner from the Passeig des Born, a wide, tree-lined avenue full of bars and cafes. There is a Segway office around the corner that organizes city tours. The hotel is well-connected by public transport, with a bus stop situated around the corner at Placa de la Reina. The Palma airport is a nine-minute drive from the hotel. 

Stylish, modern rooms and suites are spacious and light-filled, with a contemporary design aesthetic that favors minimalism and clean lines. Rustic elements such as beautiful exposed wood ceiling beams pair well with brown leather armchairs and cow hide rugs that complement the white walls and crisp white linens. Provocative decorative flourishes in the form of tasteful nude photographs inject the rooms with a dose of adult character. A signature rollaway table that slides over or away from the bed is a clever detail that provides for comfortable work or eating space. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, minibars, coffeemakers, and Bose speakers, though not all have Wi-Fi (some have cable Internet access). Some rooms have private terraces. Spacious and luxurious suites have separate living room areas and the Grand Suite even has a private roof terrace with hot tub, shower, and sunbeds.

Bathrooms may pose privacy issues for some guests, as there are no doors, but thin and not entirely opaque curtains that separate the facilities from the bedroom. Despite this, modern bathrooms are lovely and generously stocked with Molton Brown toiletries and have either walk-in showers or tubs (the Grand Suite has two bathrooms with both options).

The rooftop Splash Pool and lovely sun deck with sauna are the biggest draw at Hotel Tres. Featuring lovely views of the Seu Cathedral and sea of Old Town rooftops, the roof is a sunny perch from which to take in the bustling city below. Down below, the tranquil courtyard patio offers palm-shaded seating. The ground floor Bristo Bar is a quiet spot bathed in natural light suitable for light meals and delicious cocktails, which can also be served poolside on the roof. A free breakfast buffet includes freshly baked breads, pastries, fruits, and juices. The hotel's meeting room, though small, has a large colorful bookshelf stocked with titles in a variety of languages. The hotel also has a small fitness room and a iMac computer and printer available for guests' use. Wi-Fi is free throughout, though some rooms have cable Internet access.