Nobis Hotel Palma, a member of Design Hotels, has opened its doors, housed in one of Palma’s oldest buildings.
The latest addition to Nobis Hospitality Group’s portfolio, Nobis Hotels, the new hotel is set within a medieval Islamic palace that dates back to the 12th century, organised around two symmetrical interior patios. Interior design by Wingårdhs and architecture by Spanish studios Jordi Herrero Arquitectos and Eduardo Garcia Acuna Arquitectos sees the historic site reimagined.
Original architectural elements seamlessly merge with new additions: carefully preserved historic archways give way to unique lighting features and black steel boxes have been worked into the original stone and brick walls. Complementing the raw architectural base is Wingårdhs’ warm interior design concept, where natural materials like wood, wool and leather embody Nobis Hospitality Group’s signature interpretation of contemporary luxury.
Before ascending to the hotel’s 37 rooms – 11 of which are suites – guests are welcomed into the lobby by a preserved wooden paneled ceiling, with a decorative element of Arabic calligraphy known as Naskh – an architectural accent that has survived the building’s entire history. Historic features are augmented by Nordic, Spanish and Italian design pieces from brands like Taccini, Arflex, Moroso, Fontana Arte, Davide Groppi and Pols Potten, as well as bespoke furniture crafted on the island.
Spread across three floors, each individually-designed room has a unique shape and size, owing to the architectural base of the building. Some rooms feature centuries-old ceramic tile flooring paired with custom Carl Hansen bedframes, Flos pendant lights and handmade tapestries by local artist Leela Romeo at Desanuda Fiber Lab. In other rooms, original wooden ceilings are juxtaposed with Ogeborg carpets, Örsjö tabletop lamps and handcrafted ceramic vessels by Mallorcan artist Miquel Segura.
Consciously forging connections with the island, all rooms also feature bespoke wardrobes crafted with local materials by local carpenters, as well as custom benches by the same artisans in bathrooms, bringing warmth to the textured Spanish limestone walls and floors.
Dining and drinking venues across the property continue the blend of past and present. In a room dating back to the building’s origins, with historic nine-meter-high ceilings, is the Mirall Bar. Mirall is the Catalan word for ‘mirror’, which sets the tone for the space, where cocktails are mixed behind a bar created from strips of mirrors and served on a counter made from compressed glass.
The hotel’s signature restaurant Noi serves up European-inspired sharing plates conceived by Mallorcan chef Xema Álvarez and served against the backdrop of a back-lit textile ceiling installation and black-steel bar. Upstairs, an intimate rooftop bar, with bespoke sofas with patterned upholstery by Dedar and stools by Isimar, boasts views of the La Seu Cathedral.
Nobis Hotel Palma offers plenty of areas for repose, like the Sun Terrace, a tranquil spa and a historic courtyard. The Sun Terrace is equipped with parasols, sun loungers and cooling outdoor showers amidst an abundance of greenery. Walking a few steps down reveals one of the original inner courtyards, where an ancient fountain has been repurposed into a small dipping pool suitable for two.
The spa meanwhile finds home underground, in a former tunnel that functioned as an escape route during the medieval ages, and offers a heated indoor pool, dry sauna and infrared sauna. Natural materials like Spanish limestone and warm-toned wood, together with Stucco Lustro walls, were selected to craft a simple yet elegant aesthetic – one that is reflective of the property’s overall ethos.
