Gran Hotel Son Net *****

The History and Legend of Son Net

Legend has it that, in the 17th century, the land surrounding Son Net was granted to a pirate—who had been made a nobleman by his king—as a reward for his valiant service in defending the kingdom against foreign invaders.

The prestigious estate stretched from the Tramuntana Mountains on the outskirts of Palma, the capital of Mallorca, to the northernmost tip of the island’s coast. The nobleman, Don Francisco de Net, searched his vast estate for the ideal spot to build the family mansion. He chose a site atop a prominent hill with breathtaking views over a tranquil, secluded valley surrounded by majestic mountains, yet close to Palma and the sea.

Net built his mansion to take advantage of the shelter provided by the mountains, the extraordinary views from the site, and the gentle Mediterranean breezes that cooled this elevated, sunny location.

The small medieval village of Puigpunyent at the base of the hill began to thrive as it served the extensive Net estate. And so, the history of Son Net began.

Over the following centuries, the stately estate passed through the hands of several prominent families as it became one of the island’s most prestigious residential properties. Then, in the final days of the last century, the mansion and estate were meticulously transformed into a luxury hotel: the Gran Hotel Son Net.
A Historic Mansion Transformed into a Luxury Hotel

Architectural Digest: “With a project like Son Net, the architect has to listen to what the past has to say. Each of the rooms at the Gran Hotel Son Net follows an individual theme, featuring different color schemes and period furniture. Several suites are unusually spacious, with vaulted ceilings and private terraces, as well as what must be the most luxurious bathrooms in Europe.”

At the end of the 20th century, Son Net, with its rich history as a grand residential estate, was transformed into an internationally renowned five-star boutique hotel.

The mansion’s imposing yet elegant exterior façade was restored, and the building’s magnificent interior was renovated to ensure an intimate balance between classic Mallorcan tradition and modern, contemporary comfort and elegance.

Throughout the renovation and conversion process, as Son Net was seamlessly updated with the latest amenities and technology, the mansion’s historic architectural features were restored and its character preserved.

Original details such as rustic beams, carved wooden ceilings, stone arches, antique tiles and stone floors, original fireplaces, arched stone ceilings, a family chapel, a century-old olive press, and a 17th-century inner courtyard with a spring-fed well became defining features