Latest news with #MarcosRamirez


Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
Best Hotels In Mallorca 2025
Mallorca, the largest Balearic Island, is known for its beautiful coastline, temperate climate, plentiful vineyards and excellent local cuisine. With over 13 million visitors each year, it's no surprise that the destination is also home to a diverse variety of accommodations. The best hotels in Mallorca put the spotlight on its many offerings through architecture, décor and culinary scene. To curate this guide, I combined my own personal experience in Mallorca with tips from experts who spend significant time on the island, including Marcos Ramirez, a travel advisor at NUBA. From our top overall pick, the Grand Hotel Son Net, to the recently opened beachfront property the Four Seasons Resort Mallorca At Formentor, these are the best places to stay in Mallorca in 2025. The Grand Hotel Son Net sits in vine-covered splendor—a 17th century manor house restored with original detailings and period décor. Located at the base of the Tramuntana Mountains, the Grand Hotel Son Net is a 17th-century manor house elaborately restored with original detailings and period décor. Comprised of just 31 suites, a stay here feels like visiting the home of a local art collector; antiques and heirlooms from around the world can be spotted around every corner. Along with the grandeur of the common areas and elegant Green Bar, the property features a tasteful variety of Gothic, Baroque and Mallorcan design. Its vast outdoor spaces include spacious pool areas, a vineyard, an indigenous flora and produce garden, and a spa featuring a saltwater pool and thermal circuit. Dinners at Mar & Duix feature locally sourced fare paired with wine and live music, and the property's overall service makes you feel like a family member. In season, guests can request massages in the pergola next to the heated pool. Discreetly tucked behind an archway in Palma's emblematic La Lonja neighborhood, the Can Bordoy is a 16th-century mansion meticulously restored into an intimate 24-suite hotel. Sleek and sophisticated, bedrooms are generously sized and feature frescoed ceilings adorned with chandeliers, velvet textiles, minimalist furnishings and Art Deco headboards. The cozy spa, encased in walls dating back to the 1100s, offers organic treatments and an exclusive water therapy shower experience. Meal options range from healthy all-day breakfasts to rooftop bites and cocktails with dreamy district views. You can also dine at the stylish Botànic restaurant, where local vegetables are the star of the show. The outdoor terrace at The Son Bunyola House & Villas. Situated on a UNESCO World Heritage Site and surrounded by 1,300 acres of lush landscape, the 26-room Son Bunyola estate is a nature lover's dream. 'I recommend this property for guests who enjoy cycling and appreciate a more historic atmosphere in their hotel experience,' says Alvarez. 'The team that organizes the biking tours is incredible, making this a fantastic year-round destination.' The vast property includes a 16th-century finca equipped with a lengthy heated pool and three private-use villas enclosed in groves, orchards and magnificent Mediterranean coastline views. Two onsite restaurants—Sa Terrassa, serving an elevated take on Mallorcan cuisine, and Sa Tafona, tucked inside the former olive press and offering tapas with a local twist—keep guests pampered and well-fed. Aerial view of the Four Seasons Resort Mallorca At Formentor. Nestled in the 1,200-acre Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Four Seasons Resort Mallorca At Formentor opened this spring to immediate acclaim. 'The new Four Seasons at Formentor is a must,' says Ramirez. 'It's currently the only beachfront luxury hotel in Mallorca, and many elements of the original building have been preserved to evoke the area's golden age. Plus, the possibility of arriving by boat makes a stay here feel unique.' Nadia Bess, a travel advisor at Fora calls Serra de Tramuntana her 'personal favorite area' in Mallorca. 'It offers so many adventure activities that could occupy anyone who hates to stay still,' she says. Previously known as Hotel Formentor, the building originally opened in 1929; in its past iteration, it hosted boldface names like Grace Kelly, Winston Churchill and the Dalai Lama. Travelers can enjoy poolside lounging at La Residencia. Minutes from Mallorca's Deià artists' village, winding stone pathways adorned with indigenous flora lead to La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel's two carefully restored 16th and 17th-century manor houses. The property is nestled in between awe-inspiring sea and mountain vistas and offers serenity and calm in a luxurious setting. 'It has amazing views,' says Alvarez, who calls the property 'a perfect spot for a relaxing escape.' That relaxation extends to its spa, among the best in Mallorca: Six treatment rooms—three with terraces—allow guests to indulge in a number of locally-inspired treatments. We recommend the 50-minute signature Citrus Siesta, an invigorating treatment comprised of an olive oil scrub followed by a relaxing essential oil massage using local almonds, oranges and lemons. An aerial view of the sprawling seafront resort. The sprawling seafront The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort offers top-notch amenities, like al fresco Michelin-star dining at Es Fum. But for families, it's the activities-packed Explorers Club that have young travelers feeling like royalty. Upon arrival, little ones are supplied with a welcome gift pack with explorer tools, and throughout their stay, kids can embark on treasure hunts, nature adventures, swimming lessons and workshops that match their interests, all under the watch of friendly resort staff. During food breaks, kids can sample specially-designed menus and join Explorer Club hosts for meals, schedule permitting. For babies and toddlers, highchairs, cots and babysitting services are readily available. All 11 suites are uniquely designed in rich, dark hues with vaulted ceilings. Dark and decadent, the adults-only Palma Riad offers a seductive take on a traditional Moroccan riad, right in central Palma. Head-to-heel drapes, Moorish trinkets, dark wood furnishings and candelabras provide moody ambiance, along with a solarium with loungers and intimate corners that give way to an airy courtyard with a skylight and water fountain. Memorable candlelit meals can be served at the Morokko restaurant on the patio or, for a swoon-worthy tête-à-tête, snuggle close with a signature cocktail at the cozy bar. The hotel offers just 11 intimate suites, all of which are uniquely designed in rich, dark hues with vaulted ceilings and bespoke art pieces. Many suites offer fireplaces and generous, Hamman-style bathrooms with tubs and double showers. The facilities include 151 comfortable rooms in elegant, earthy hues, a wellness area and tennis courts. A golfer's paradise, the Hacienda Son Antem is home to two challenging 18-hole courses and a golf academy that are available minutes from the property at the Son Antem Golf Club. Both courses are designed with the avid golfer in mind; one with few obstacles for those still working on their handicap and another with bunkers and lakes that require more skill and focus. The academy caters to guests of all ages, with golf lessons available for kids, families or singles wishing to perfect their game. Round off your golfing experience with a circular driving range, practice greens, equipment rentals, a spa zone and a clubhouse Mediterranean-fare restaurant overlooking the lush greenways. Rooftop at the Nobis Hotel Palma. In an ideal location right in the heart of Palma's old town, the Nobis Hotel Palma stands out for its walkability to many shops and restaurants as well as its excellent rooftop with prime views of the area including the historic La Seu Cathedral. 'Its bar is a great place to see and be seen as the night begins, offering fabulous cocktails inspired by destinations around the world,' says Ramirez. 'The rooms and décor make you feel like you're staying in a traditional Mallorcan home, incorporating elements of local culture and architecture.' The property also features a stylish and minimalist vibe—fitting considering that its parent company Nobis is a Scandinavian brand based in Stockholm. The common areas include a lounge, an intimate library and a sensational patio pool area lined with plantlife and contempo loungers. Tucked away on a cobbled street in sleepy Santanyí, Can Ferrereta is a chic rustic getaway sure to delight design lovers. The 17th-century-style façade with archways and tiled rooftops complement the sleek, contemporary art-filled interiors. Common areas are designed in shades of ecru and sand and include a lounge, an intimate library and a sensational pool area lined with greenery, contemporary loungers and La Fresca, an inside/outside eatery serving light bites and refreshing cocktails. The Ocre Restaurant, housed in the former wine cellar and styled with wood beams, serves seasonal, regional cuisine in a relaxed indoor setting or the candlelit courtyard. Castell Son Claret is an oasis of nature's generous bounty. Set against the backdrop of the Tramuntana Mountains and a palm-lined driveway leading to 326 acres of unspoiled verdant landscape, Castell Son Claret is a rural, nature-filled estate ideal for those who want to fully immerse themselves in the surrounding land. From check-in, all guests are welcomed with a traditional Mallorcan ensaïmada pastry, cava, sunbathing essentials and plant-based amenities by Viti Vinci that are found exclusively on the island. While the Michelin-starred Sa Clastra restaurant is a must-visit, nature takes center stage here: hiking, biking, climbing and caving, as well as enjoying self-guided jogging routes and tennis lessons on the hotel's court. After a long day, kick back at the pool or book a private wine tasting of the area's finest vintages. The rooftop welcomes guests with a sparkling pool, loungers, cocktails, and 360-degree views over old town rooftops and the Cathedral. Perched on a peaceful namesake plaza fronting a 13th-century Gothic basilica, Sant Francesc Hotel Singular is a one-time stately mansion turned urban-chic stay. While reminders of its storied architecture are found throughout by way of moldings and archways, the property's interiors—which are bathed in black-framed ivory, taupe and tan—are decidedly modern. Amenities include a cocktail bar, an adjoining olive tree-sprinkled courtyard, a cozy underground wellness sanctuary and a fitness zone, while meals are served at Quadrant, a stylish restaurant serving creative Mediterranean cuisine. A popular spot at sunset, the Singular Rooftop welcomes guests with a pool, a solarium, luxe loungers, and 360-degree views over old town rooftops and the Cathedral. The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides featuring cities across the globe. We selected the top contenders based on personal stays as well as extensive research.


Reuters
05-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Mexico's Banorte backs away from potential Banamex bid
May 5 (Reuters) - Mexican lender Banorte ( opens new tab is not considering making a bid for Banamex, Citi's (C.N), opens new tab one-time retail unit in the country which it split off last year, CEO Marcos Ramirez told local newspaper Milenio in an interview published on Monday. Ramirez's comments were a shift away from statements he made during Banorte's most recent earnings call last month, where he suggested Banorte could be eyeing potential opportunities for the purchase. Ramirez told Milenio those comments were misinterpreted. "We were interested a few years ago, but we backed out... We are not involved in the new process," Ramirez told Milenio. "We will continue monitoring what happens with it (Banamex) and any others." Ramirez had told analysts last month that Banorte was watching the unit's moves closely and would "propose" from there. Banorte in 2022 launched a bid to take over Banamex, but eventually withdrew, a decision analysts viewed favorably at the time. Citi was close to selling the unit to mining conglomerate Grupo Mexico for $7 billion, though tensions between the group and then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led to the deal falling apart. Citi now plans to list Banamex, which could be a possible dual listing in Mexico City and New York.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mexico's Banorte once again weighs Banamex purchase
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican lender Banorte will again consider a potential purchase of Banamex, Citi's one-time retail unit in the country which it split off last year, Banorte's CEO told analysts on Wednesday. "There are a lot of moving pieces," CEO Marcos Ramirez said. "So we will watch closely what's going on and propose." Banorte had previously bowed out of the competition for Banamex in 2022, though Citi was ultimately unable to find a buyer for the unit. Citi was close to selling it to mining conglomerate Grupo Mexico for $7 billion, though tensions between the group and then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led to the deal falling apart. Instead Citi is set to list Banamex, which could be a possible dual listing in Mexico City and New York. "Our duty is to see whatever is on the market and analyze it, and then our board will decide, and then (shareholders), the owners of the company," Ramirez said. Banorte will have a shareholders meeting later on Wednesday. The firm will also propose a dividend of 9.99 pesos ($0.5090) per share as well as re-establishing a 32-billion-peso share buyback fund over the next 12 months. ($1 = 19.6258 Mexican pesos) Sign in to access your portfolio


Reuters
23-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Mexico's Banorte once again weighs Banamex purchase
MEXICO CITY, April 23 (Reuters) - Mexican lender Banorte ( opens new tab will again consider a potential purchase of Banamex, Citi's (C.N), opens new tab one-time retail unit in the country which it split off last year, Banorte's CEO told analysts on Wednesday. "There are a lot of moving pieces," CEO Marcos Ramirez said. "So we will watch closely what's going on and propose." Banorte had previously bowed out of the competition for Banamex in 2022, though Citi was ultimately unable to find a buyer for the unit. Citi was close to selling it to mining conglomerate Grupo Mexico for $7 billion, though tensions between the group and then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador led to the deal falling apart. Instead Citi is set to list Banamex, which could be a possible dual listing in Mexico City and New York. "Our duty is to see whatever is on the market and analyze it, and then our board will decide, and then (shareholders), the owners of the company," Ramirez said. Banorte will have a shareholders meeting later on Wednesday. The firm will also propose a dividend of 9.99 pesos ($0.5090) per share as well as re-establishing a 32-billion-peso share buyback fund over the next 12 months. ($1 = 19.6258 Mexican pesos)