17-05-2025
Why this resort in Mallorca is the dreamiest getaway for Londoners in need of a reset
As someone living in London - where the days blur together and even a trip to the park requires strategic timing - I know how vital it is to find a proper escape.
Not just a change of scenery, but somewhere that lets you breathe again.
That's exactly what I found in Kimpton Aysla Mallorca.
Mallorca has long been a favourite for British travellers, but this hotel isn't your average island resort.
The lobby and stairs at Kimpton (Image: Poppy Huggett)
It's a serene slice of luxury tucked away in Santa Ponsa, less than 30 minutes from Palma airport, and unbelievably just a two-hour flight from Gatwick.
You could leave your flat in south east London in the morning and be lounging in a private hammock by the afternoon.
The stunning gardens and Zayt Pool Club at Kimpton Aysla Mallorca (Image: Poppy Huggett)
I arrived on Tuesday, May 6, and from the moment I stepped out of the airport transfer, it felt like I'd landed in a different world.
Check-in came with a creamy welcome drink - like a milky island twist on a smoothie - and warm, effortless hospitality that immediately took the edge off the London stress I'd brought with me.
My room was a King with a private garden, and it was a dream.
There were multiple seating areas outside, big, cushioned loungers, and even a hammock perfect for an afternoon read (or nap).
Inside, the space was calm and beautifully styled - a massive queen-sized bed with cloud-like feather bedding, a deep standalone tub, a rainfall shower, and all the little luxury touches you want from a five-star hotel.
I especially loved the CODAGE Paris products and the in-room coffee machine.
The garden patio and bathroom in my room (Image: Poppy Huggett)
It felt like the kind of place made for couples, but also for solo travellers like me who just needed quiet, comfort, and space to decompress.
Dinner that night was at SABA Restaurant, which serves Mediterranean food with real flair.
We started with sharing plates - calamari rings, croquettes, burrata salad, bread with aioli, and Padrón peppers - all rich with flavour.
Our sharing starters at SABA Restaurant (Image: Poppy Huggett)
For mains, I had a creamy seafood and shellfish rice that was like the love child of a paella and a risotto, and dessert was a melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake that I'm still thinking about days later.
Breakfast at Orangerie was buffet-style but with real quality.
I had everything from sausages and bacon to hash browns, freshly made omelettes (cooked in front of you with your chosen ingredients), and of course, stacks of pancakes with Nutella and fruit.
The chef cooks your chosen omelette in front of you (Image: Poppy Huggett)
It's the kind of breakfast that makes you want to book another night just so you can have it again.
On Wednesday, we ventured out to Son Moragues (SONMO) for their Olive Oil Experience, which turned out to be one of the most special excursions I've ever done.
The mountains at SONMO (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Picture this: you're riding through the Tramuntana Mountains in a vintage Land Rover, passing ancient olive groves under a clear blue sky, and then tasting oils while learning about sustainability, history, and craftsmanship.
The stunning olive grounds at SONMO (Image: Poppy Huggett)
We even got to see the men at work in the ceramic workshop who were using traditional methods to mould clay into beautiful pieces.
The day ended with a peaceful picnic under the olive trees and it truly felt like something out of a romance novel.
Our olive tasting session (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Back at the hotel, I spent the late afternoon by the adult-only pool (quiet, peaceful, and surrounded by greenery) before dinner at Theatre Kitchen - an immersive dining experience where chefs prepare sushi right in front of you like edible artwork.
It was mesmerising and delicious – my favourite plates of the evening were the steamed chicken gyozas and beef noodles.
The chosen dishes which were prepared in front of us at Theatre Kitchen (Image: Poppy Huggett)
By Thursday, I was already dreading the idea of going home.
I was treated to a massage at Maison Codage with a therapist named Edgar, who offered either a deep muscle or relaxation option.
I chose relaxation, and it was so good I drifted off during the session.
The treatment room (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The lavender-scented oil, soft lighting, and quiet atmosphere were exactly what my overworked back needed.
Later, I wandered into Santa Ponsa, a small coastal town just five minutes away by taxi - or a 20-minute ride on the free electric bikes the hotel provides.
Santa Ponsa beach is a five minute drive away (Image: Poppy Huggett)
It's got a gorgeous beach, plenty of local shops, and a great mix of lively bars and laid-back cafés.
If you fancy a night out, Magaluf is just 15 minutes away, and Palma is around 20, so you're never far from the buzz if you want it.
Before heading to the airport, we had lunch at Zayt Pool Club back at Kimpton, and honestly, it was one of the culinary highlights of the trip.
Zayt Pool Club (Image: Poppy Huggett)
Everything here felt effortlessly chic - from the setting around the pool to the service.
We started with warm olives, a meat charcuterie board, and a chicken Caesar salad that was so fresh and crisp it could have been picked that morning.
My food highlights at Kimpton Aysla Mallorca (Image: SONMO)
For mains, we shared a steak platter served with perfectly roasted vegetables and sweet potato fries — indulgent and satisfying in the best way.
And dessert? A rich, gooey chocolate brownie-style cake with ice cream that brought everything to a decadent close.
This was my absolute favourite dessert of the trip (Image: Poppy Huggett) The food across all the restaurants was consistently 10/10 — each meal felt thoughtfully prepared and deeply satisfying without being over-complicated.
As my trip came to an end, I couldn't stop thinking about how easy it had all been.
Some highlights of the trip (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The short flight, the calm transfer, the quick check-in.
But more than anything, it was how balanced everything felt - luxury without stiffness, peace without pretension, and warmth without being over the top.
Kimpton Aysla Mallorca is the perfect retreat for Londoners wanting to escape the city (Image: SONMO)
If you live in London and you're burnt out, overstimulated, or just dreaming of sunshine, Kimpton Aysla Mallorca is the reset button you didn't know you needed.
It's everything a great escape should be - easy, beautiful, restful, and just far enough to feel like you've really got away.
