Luxury is one of Charles Marlow’s favourite words. But, we wondered, what does it really mean. To conduct our rigorous analysis of luxury villas in Mallorca we called in an expert: Jon Brown, MD of Virgin Limited Edition, owners of Son Bunyola, on the island’s increasingly glamorous West Coast.
The world’s finest dictionaries agree that luxury essentially means an abundance of ease and comfort that may or may not cost a fortune.
Located all along the island’s spectacularly beautiful West Coast, the luxury villas in Mallorca we offer for sale or rent all share certain characteristics we would say define luxury in essentially the same way. Each has a breathtaking view of the sea, the Tramuntana mountains or both. All the luxury villas in Mallorca we offer are positioned to receive glorious Mediterranean sunlight from dawn to dusk. Most are set in more than enough space to guarantee peace and tranquillity.
Classical or contemporary architecture. Supremely comfortable. Elegant or quirkily rustic interior design. Swimming pools that range from charming to infinity. We offer a choice of luxury villas in Mallorca that would more than satisfy the most discerning lotus eater.
But what of the West Coast itself? When you do venture away from your luxury villa, you discover a wealth of world-class restaurants, bars and hotels basking in grandeur or boho chic that suit every taste. And you still have the luxury of being able to get away from it all and discover one of the West Coast’s best-kept secrets.
Son Bunyola is an outstandingly beautiful part of the West Coast centred on a charming, tiny village. The Virgin Limited Edition villas at Son Bunyola – Sa Terra Rotja, Sa Punta de S’Aguila and Son Balagueret – are set in 680 acres of landscaped gardens surrounded by olive terraces and forest between the mountains and the ocean.
Sir Richard Branson of Virgin, a Mallorca aficionado, describes Son Bunyola as ‘my favourite Mallorcan retreat’.
Charles Marlow is proud to offer the splendid villas at Son Bunyola to our clients. Confident that if anyone could help us define West Coast Luxury it would be Virgin, we asked Jon Brown, Managing Director of Virgin Limited Edition to share his expert insights with us.
What is the history of Son Bunyola, Jon? Why did Virgin Limited Edition choose that particular spot?
Mallorca has always held a special place in the heart of Sir Richard Branson and when he was originally given the opportunity to buy Son Bunyola he couldn’t resist its Mallorcan charm. The West Coast is known for its unspoilt nature and picturesque villages, and the location of Son Bunyola is something very special, making it quite irresistible.
How does it differ from your other destinations?
We like to think of our retreats as extraordinary and rare, with each possessing something truly magical in its unique location.
The 680-acre estate, purchased by us in 2015, is part of a World Heritage Site located on the Tramuntana mountain range, parallel to the coastline. Centuries of agricultural activity have transformed the landscapes with terraces and inter-connected waterways, making the setting one of the most prized aspects of the estate.
Within the estate are three beautiful villas and the large historic manor house, or ‘Finca’, dating from the mid-1200s. This building is currently unused, forming an incredible centrepiece to the dramatic scenery. The Finca is surrounded by vines, citrus fruit trees, almonds and terraces boasting hundreds of olive trees, making this a truly exceptional Mallorcan location.
How would Virgin Limited Edition define luxury in relation to travel and holidays in general?
‘Limited Edition’ means extraordinary and rare, offering something better, more exclusive and more desirable. That’s exactly how we would describe each of our retreats.
Whether it’s our own private island, mountain retreat, game reserve, lodge, tented camp, vineyard or the luxury villas of Son Bunyola, they’re all unique and exist with the sole aim of creating amazing experiences. This is what makes Son Bunyola and each of our retreats extraordinary.
Why does Virgin Limited Edition think Mallorca is increasingly appealing to travellers looking for luxury?
I was the Director at La Residencia in Deia (just opposite Charles Marlow’s offices, ed.) some years ago when my family and I fell in love with the area and the island. I understood then that the West Coast is an obvious choice for the luxury travel market.
Mallorca has long been an island celebrated for its style that naturally attracts a wealth of holidaymakers. The island has been a retreat for the rich and famous since the 1930s but in recent years Mallorca has taken on a new glamorous aspect. Today, quaint rural villages and picturesque Spanish towns stand side by side with chic marinas and luxurious resorts.
Our villas in Son Bunyola, while of course luxurious, blend beautifully with the environment, culture and history of the island. This is hugely important to us.
The capital of Mallorca, Palma, is just 40 minutes from Son Bunyola. Here, superyachts and cocktails meet ancient winding streets. If our guests would like to explore the island, Mallorca’s beautiful bays and crystal-clear waters are graced with consistently warm temperatures all year round.
What does Mallorca West Coast luxury look like to Virgin Limited Edition?
Guests at Son Bunyola are in the enviable position of being able to truly enjoy the tranquillity of the West Coast in your own private villa in an incredible location, while enjoying the amazing Virgin Limited Edition experience.
Thank you, Jon.
Virgin Limited Edition is delighted to have recently welcomed Natascha Dorst as the new Resident Manager for Son Bunyola. Natascha joined Virgin Limited Edition at the beginning of the year and has more than 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, having worked in eight different countries.
‘Our philosophy is to treat our guests with the utmost privacy and respect. All our guests appreciate this and it is integral to the sense of luxury at Son Bunyola – they can come and relax in an incredible place. You should feel perfectly at home during your stay and not want to leave this oasis of calm.’
Natascha Dorst, Resident Manager, Son Bunyola
Natascha moved to Mallorca with her family when she was just a child and 25 years later still resides on the island that she now calls home. There’s nothing more that puts a smile on Natascha’s face than working with people and making memories to keep her guests happy – which is exactly why she is perfect for Son Bunyola.
Since Charles Marlow has been in existence, we’ve learned that an appetite for luxury villas in Mallorca usually goes hand in hand with a highly developed sense of discernment. Our clients and guests tend to know precisely what they want, while being open to pleasant surprises. It is a luxury for us to offer them, and you we hope, the best of the West Coast of Mallorca.
Last year, we launched Charles Marlow Concierge with great success. Book your holiday villa through us and enjoy access to an unlimited selection of luxuries to make your holiday extra memorable.
To find out more about homes for rent or sale, please email us at hello@charlesmarlow.com or call +34 971 636 427. We’re standing by to tell you more about luxury villas in Mallorca.
Including, naturally, Son Bunyola.