What happens when you stop trying to see all of an island and simply let one reveal itself to you? In this contributor feature, Deborah Kombe moves between four IT Mallorca properties, from the Tramuntana foothills to the coast, resisting the urge to rush at every turn. Through reflections on rest, ritual and the quiet intelligence of hotels that anticipate how you might be feeling, she makes the case that Mallorca rewards the traveller who stays longer in fewer places.
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If you’re already thinking about where to go this autumn, let me make a case for Mallorca in October. Not the Mallorca of peak summer, loud and brilliant and relentless, but the quieter version: warm days, fewer crowds, and a pace that the island seems to settle into naturally once August has cleared out. The locals call it the Isle of Calm. In October, you understand why.
I went last year with my best friend, and it became one of those trips that recalibrates something in you. When I think back to moments that genuinely shifted how I want to travel, this one surfaces immediately. Not because of anything dramatic, but because of how unhurried it felt. How well looked after we were. How, for the first time, rest on holiday actually felt like rest.
Before Mallorca, rest and slowness had already been on my mind. I’d left a fast-paced analyst role in fintech, searching for work that felt aligned. But slowing down professionally wasn’t enough. I needed to slow down in life: spending time with loved ones, nourishing my body, delighting in nature, and learning how to simply be.
As my birthday approached at the end of a busy summer, both my best friend and I felt overdue for a proper break. The last time we travelled together was May 2019. Since then, she’d married, had two beautiful children (my fairy-godchildren), and hadn’t taken a holiday without them until now. With the UK turning grey and my birthday just behind me, a little autumn sunshine felt exactly right.
IT Mallorca Hotels were already on my radar. Each property is thoughtfully designed, making it impossible to choose just one, so we stayed in three, each in a different part of the island, to experience Mallorca fully. With our intention clear—rest, good food, and sunshine—we boarded our flight to Palma, curious to see what the Isle of Calm would offer.
Touching down, I felt my shoulders drop almost instantly. At baggage claim, a warm Mallorcan woman from Transfer Class handed us refreshing towels and a small restaurant guide before leading us to our driver. Within minutes, the airport bustle faded into coastline calm, and sparkling blue water stretched ahead—a view we didn’t yet know we’d later enjoy from our room. Conversation with our driver about why he moved to Mallorca and his favourite local spots set the tone—our holiday had begun.
Hotel Calatrava: Sea Views and Stillness in Palma
Arriving at Hotel Calatrava, our first IT Mallorca stay, I felt quietly excited. From the outside, its cream façade blends seamlessly into Palma’s historic streets. Inside, everything shifts: scent, warmth, soft music—the atmosphere feels considered without trying too hard.
One of my favourite touches here was the commissioned black-and-white photography by two local artists. While they shot different parts of Mallorca, above and below the sea, their work complements so perfectly you’d think it was from a single photographer. Maria, the Director of Communications at IT Mallorca, explained this over breakfast with a beaming smile. It’s moments like this—when staff genuinely love the place they work—that make the service feel personal and effortless.
Calatrava is ideally located on the coast: the beach is under ten minutes’ walk, and Palma’s quaint cobbled streets are just fifteen minutes away. We sampled a few local spots, my favourite being L’Informal Tacos, and brought our food back to the hotel to savour the quiet luxury.
Another delightful detail, present at all IT Mallorca properties, was the infused butters at breakfast. Simple, playful, and something to look forward to each morning.
Our suite was generous and grounding: rustic wooden doors, terracotta ceilings, calming linens, and a Marshall speaker. We could have lingered there forever. Two nights weren’t enough, but we were ready to fully immerse ourselves in the Mallorcan lifestyle.
The transition from Palma to Pollença offered a change in pace. As we drove north through olive groves and small villages, conversation gave way to quiet observation. The anticipation built: our next stop, Can AulÃ, promised a playful, village-centred experience.
Can AulÃ: Playfulness and Slow Village Living in Pollença
If Calatrava taught stillness, Can Aulà taught joy and intimacy. A 17th-century mansion hides behind an unassuming façade. Inside, wooden beams stretch across ceilings, ceramic and brick art line the walls, and a library encourages lingering. A glass of local cava welcomed us, and the scent of eucalyptus and lavender instantly grounded us.
The hotels have a way of making you want to just stay indoors—as cosy as a sleepover at a friend’s house. We stayed up talking like schoolgirls: faith, films, pyramids, conspiracy theories—everything felt lighter here. The outdoor spaces and little corners where you could lounge after breakfast became our favourite spots.
We wandered Pollença, climbed the 365 steps while spotting mountain goats, and browsed beautiful shops like Terra. I need to return—I wanted to buy all their unique craft and ceramic pieces inspired by Majorcan life.
Dining at Can Aulà was a delight. From the hotel restaurant, From the Land, we enjoyed fresh pasta stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, garlic, chives and lemon with pesto, apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream, and dark chocolate brownie with ice cream. The next night, we ventured to Restaurante Pizzeria Velomar, a beachfront spot just a 15-minute drive from the hotel.
The charm of Can Aulà lies in its combination of village energy and luxury comfort. Shared spaces, private terraces, and thoughtful touches make it the perfect place to slow down and reconnect.
Valldemossa offered a new layer of reflection, bringing music and nature into the experience.
Valldemossa: Nature, Music, and Surrender
Imagine stepping into a soundtrack: maybe play Clair de Luneby Kamasi Washington or We Could Form an Attachment by Kris Bowers while reading this next part. That’s the mood at Valldemossa.
The suite offered a vast private terrace, though the rain decided to descend upon the mountains for our entire stay. Dining at De Tokio a Lima, with its Japanese-Peruvian-Mediterranean fusion, was fantastic. I ordered Buñuelos de langostinos with orange dressing, rocoto, and lime three times—they were that good. Naffy was enamoured with the cheesecake with passion fruit cream. The views over the mountains and the Royal Carthusian Monastery were breathtaking, and we even spotted a few donkeys wandering nearby.
Valldemossa also housed a beautiful garden, rich with apples, lemons, lime, and lavender. Every sense was overjoyed the moment we stepped inside. The hotel invites you to linger: we spent the day with gospel music, Paradise on Disney+, books, journaling, and repeated room-service orders.
Finally, we returned to Palma for one last night at Sant Jaume.
Sant Jaume: Calm in the Heart of the City
Sant Jaume is airy, modern, and perfectly situated in the heart of Palma. You can see the city’s hustle from the windows, yet inside it feels like a retreat. The grand atrium welcomes you with a 12-meter three-dimensional sculpture by Robert Ferrer i Martorell, and the rooftop lets you soak in as much vitamin D as you like. Light, design, and attention to detail create a sanctuary even in the middle of a bustling city.
Our final day was spent wandering Palma, buying handmade notebooks and Mallorcan fans, and visiting the cathedral. Sant Jaume demonstrates that city-centre convenience needn’t sacrifice calm, and it offers a distinctly modern take on IT Mallorca’s design philosophy.
Mallorca taught us to slow down: to eat proper breakfasts, enjoy time outdoors, and approach life from rest rather than effort. Walks became resets, supported by IT Mallorca’s beautifully placed hotels. The island encouraged connection—with strangers, with each other, and with ourselves.
IT Mallorca exemplifies sincere hospitality. Luxury lives in the details: soft linens, warm light, curated food experiences, and thoughtful design. Each hotel offered a distinct lesson: Calatrava taught presence, Can Aulà playfulness, Valldemossa surrender, and Sant Jaume balance. Beauty here isn’t just seen; it’s felt.
I’m already excited to return this year—there are still a few IT Mallorca properties to explore, and they make the perfect anchors for any trip across the island.
Visiting Mallorca in October: What to Know
Best time to visit: October shoulder season felt ideal—warm, sunny days with fewer crowds and a slower pace. I’d happily revisit any time between April and October, but keep in mind that peak summer can be very hot and very busy.
Flights: Return flights from London to Palma take around two and a half hours. Budget carriers including easyJet and Ryanair fly from Gatwick, Luton, and Stansted, with return fares from around £50–£80 if you book ahead. August is the priciest month to fly; October is considerably more forgiving. Book at least six to eight weeks in advance for the best fares.
Transfers: We used Transfer Class for all airport and hotel transfers, provided by the hotel. Their calm, attentive service set the tone from the moment we landed.
Hotel Recommendations:
- Calatrava: Best for serene sea views, rooftop moments, and proximity to Palma and the beach.
- Can AulÃ: Ideal for village charm, outdoor lounging, and playful energy.
- Valldemossa: Best for mountain views, reflective retreats, and gardens.
- Sant Jaume: City-centre calm with modern design and rooftop sunshine.
To book your stay, visit itmallorcauniquespaces.com.
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