Finest Lodges

Description & Location

The rural hotel in Majorca is located in a unique location inside the world heritage site and perfect for rural tourism near the idyllic town of Puigpunyent, at the foothills of the Puig de Galatzó and in the valley, nestles the Es Ratxo Hotel & Spa. 

A luxury agritourism and rural 5 star hotel with special charm. The hotel has been specially designed to live a unique experience in a fabulous setting. Surrounded by nature and embraced by the most absolute relax with the outdoor pool and Spa. This 11th century farmhouse has restored to use as a luxury hotel but always respecting it’s original character and the romantic highlight of this place.

The history of the hotel begins in the Islamic era, when the Moors constructed a farmstead, which served as the foundations for later construction. A significant aspect of that time was the use of the valley to supply water, with a supply planned and developed prior to the 13th century and which can be glimpsed in the water channels that are still preserved today. These channels characterised the estate, with its extensive water resources, leading to the first recorded name: Arratxa (an old Arabic word that means stream or spring).

Later, when the estate passed into Christian hands, the name Arratxa became "Es Ratxo". During the 15th and 16th centuries, thanks to the huge pine forests and vast expanses of brush vegetation that surrounded it, it became an important centre of farming activity, particularly sheep rearing, but also cattle. At that time in the houses there would also have been an oil press (tafona) for the production of oil and to this end, part of the estate was used for the cultivation of almonds, olives, cereals and pulses.

The situation is idyllic, surrounded by high mountains covered in pine and evergreen oak woodland and olive, almond and carob tree groves as well as tidily cultivated fields, stands a majestic country houses which is called possessions. Traditionally these grand estates were the nucleus of village life. Up until the middle of the twentieth century, agriculture and cattle raising were the two main occupations of the residents. The town is still a very tranquil spot where you can wander through the winding narrow lanes.

Highlights

Hotel:

• situated in the Serra de Tramuntana (World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the category of cultural landscape)
• outdoor pool and jacuzzi with a view to the Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains
• indoor pool
• Spa and Beauty centre
• restaurant with a restored olive press of the sixteenth centur
• Laundry and cleaning service
• Concierge service
• Rent a car
• Reservation of tickets, excursions and parks
• Breakfast buffet
• Free Parking space
• Fax
• Photocopies
• 24 hours reception

Rooms & Suites:

• King-Size Bed
• Comfortable Latex mattress
• Aircondition
• Bathtub and shower separated
• LCD Television
• Wall cupboard with safety-deposit box
• Private Terrace or garden with sunshade, deck-chair and table

Location and Travel

The Serra de Tramuntana, where the Es Ratxo Hotel & Spa is situated, was named this 27^th June 2011 as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the category of cultural landscape.

The Sierra de Tramuntana is the main Balearic Islands mountain range, located along the north coast of the island. It name comes from “Tramontana”, the wind that is coming from that direction, “the north wind”. Here in this mountain range there are the two major reservoirs in Mallorca: Cuper and Gorg Blau, as well here are many streams and important rivers called “Torrents”. The peak at higher altitudes is the Puig Major of 1445 meters. This mountain range gives the name to one of the regions of Mallorca. The other regions of the island do not have such official recognition.

The Sierra de Tramuntana was chosen in Paris from 35 nominations from different countries thanks to his rich flora and fauna, landscape values with different mountain villages, rustic farmhouses, religious centers and heritage do a special relationship between peace and nature.

The Es Ratxo Hotel & Spa is nestled between two nature parks one is the La Reserva Adventur park to the north and to the south the Public Finca Galatzó.

The situation is idyllic, surrounded by high mountains covered in pine and evergreen oak woodland and olive, almond and carob tree groves as well as tidily cultivated fields, stands a majestic country houses which is called possessions. Traditionally these grand estates were the nucleus of village life. Up until the middle of the twentieth century, agriculture and cattle raising were the two main occupations of the residents. The town is still a very tranquil spot where you can wander through the winding narrow lanes.

The valley of Puigpunyent was one of the first inhabited areas on the island. This is clearly visible through the amount of talaiots that can be found in the area. Examples can be seen in Son Serralta, Son Burguet and Son Puig, plus the necropolis of Casat Nou. These early inhabitants also left proof of their productive cattle breeding and agriculture.

The Romans too inhabited the area and the little that is left of their presence can be found at Es Collet and in the consolidation of the olive, cereal and wine production.

During the Moorish period the village belonged to juz´d´Al-Ahwâz. They left behind their knowledge of the use of irrigation. The six water mills, the numerous water canals, fountains, channels for the torrents, ponds and reservoirs are good examples of their work and development of the horticulture.

After reclaiming the island, and having divided the land as explained in the Llibre del Repartiment (1232), the Catalans arrived under the leadership of the Bishop of Barcelona, Berenguer de Palou, who was given the village of Puigpunyent. For this reason, and up until only a few years ago, all the possessions in the village had a hut for the diezmo (a tax that every inhabitant had to pay the Church and represented 10% of their production). The church of Puigpunyent was one of the first to be built in Mallorca, and was authorised by Pope Innocence III, in 1237. During this period the cultivation of olive trees and vineyards increased.

The name of Puigpunyent appears for the first time in a document written in Latin in 1248 as Podio Pugenti. It comes from Puig Punyent or pointed peak, after the shape of the Galatzó Mountain.

Today, Puigpunyent, with an extension of 41.6 Km2, a population of 3.710 inhabitants and a population density of 89.1 hab/km2, is a small municipality located in the west side of the Tramuntana mountain range. In a wide and green valley surrounded by high mountains the most notable of which are Na Fátima, Na Bauçana, Els Puntals, Es Piconar and, of course, the Puig de Galatzó, with its 1025 metres. These mountains separate us from Calvià on the Migjorn side, from Banyalbufar and Estellencs on the west and from Esporles to the north. Palma is only a ten-minute drive by car and is connected to Puigpunyent through the only existing gap in the valley that follows the course of the river Sa Riera.

Most of the population that makes up the municipality of Puigpunyent and its surrounding area is in the village of Galilea which is found at an elevation of 550 metres above sea level and is only four kilometres from Puigpunyent. Galilea is a magical place of great beauty that was once predominantly an agricultural centre and is now mainly residential. With a population of around 200 inhabitants, it has medieval origins and fabulous views over the migjorn side and the sea.

Today, the municipality can be characterised as a dormitory municipality as most of the population work either in Palma or the coast side, reducing the economical activity to the basic necessities of the inhabitants.

The airport Palma de Mallorca is about 45km from the Hotel.

Es Ratxo Hotel

The rural hotel in Majorca is located in a unique location inside the world heritage site and perfect for rural tourism near the idyllic town of Puigpunyent, at the foothills of the Puig de Galatzó......