Mallorca › Bay of Palma and Formentor
Two of Mallorca’s most talked-about luxury hotels, at opposite ends of the island. Cap Rocat is a 19th-century military fortress on the Bay of Palma, turned into about 30 adults-only rooms, some carved into the rock. Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor is the historic Hotel Formentor, opened in 1929 and reborn under Four Seasons in 2024, on a 40-hectare estate with its own beach. Choose by mood: secret fortress or classic beach grand hotel.
Last checked: October 2026 · Based on official hotel information and recent reviews · We may earn a commission
At a glance
Fortress for adults
Cap Rocat
€€€€ · Bay of Palma, near Cala Blava
- About 30 rooms and suites inside a fortress
- Sentinel suites carved into the rock, with plunge pools
- Spa with a 25 m saltwater pool underground
Beachfront grand hotel
Four Seasons Formentor
€€€€ · Formentor peninsula
- 110 rooms and suites with sea-facing terraces
- Golden sand beach in front of the hotel
- 40-hectare estate with its own vineyard
Which fits what you want?
If you want something uniqueCap RocatSleep inside a 19th-century fortressIf you want a sandy beachFour Seasons FormentorFormentor beach right belowIf you travel with childrenFour Seasons FormentorKids’ club; Cap Rocat is 15+ onlyIf you want to be near PalmaCap RocatAbout 25 minutes from Palma airportIf you love hiking and natureFour Seasons FormentorPine woods and the Formentor peninsulaIf you want total privacyCap RocatA private headland and suites with their own pools
Amenities side by side
| Amenities | Cap Rocat | Four Seasons Formentor |
|---|---|---|
| Sea view | Many rooms | All rooms |
| Private pool | Sentinel suites | Some suites |
| Beach | Rocky cove, no sand | Sandy Formentor beach |
| Spa | 25 m saltwater pool | Spa and wellness |
| Fine dining | Fortress Restaurant | Mel and more |
| Families | Ages 15+ only | Kids’ club |
| Adults only | 15+ | All ages |
| Quiet | Private headland | Private estate |
What each one does best
Cap Rocat: a fortress on the Bay of Palma
Cap Rocat stands on a private headland at the entrance to the Bay of Palma, in a 19th-century military fortress once called Cap Enderrocat. Mallorcan architect Antonio Obrador restored it, keeping bunkers, gun positions and the old walls, and the hotel now has about 30 rooms and suites on around 88 acres of protected coastline.
The Sentinel suites are carved into the rock with their own plunge pools. The spa, cut into the limestone, has a 25-metre saltwater pool, and dinner is in the Fortress Restaurant or at Cala de la Reina by the water. It is for guests aged 15 and over, closes from mid-November to mid-March, and holds two MICHELIN Keys.
Check Cap Rocat prices and availability → · Read the hotel story
Four Seasons Formentor: the 1929 grand hotel, reborn
Hotel Formentor opened in 1929 on the Formentor peninsula in northern Mallorca and became famous for guests such as Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. After a full restoration it reopened in August 2024 as Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor.
It sits on a 40-hectare private estate of pine woods with a working vineyard, right on the golden sand of Formentor beach. All 110 rooms and suites have sea-facing terraces, Mel serves Mediterranean food for breakfast and dinner, and there is a kids’ club. Palma airport is about an hour by car.
Check Four Seasons Formentor prices and availability → · Read the hotel story
Where they are
Who should skip both
If you want a lively town with bars and shops on your doorstep, look elsewhere: both hotels are secluded and you will need transfers or a car. Both are also seasonal and close over the winter months, so check opening dates for spring and autumn trips.
The choice is yours
Two very different Mallorca stays
Choose Cap Rocat ifyou want an adults-only hideaway with real history, rock-cut suites and Palma close by.Choose Four Seasons Formentor ifyou want a beach in front of you, a classic grand hotel, nature walks and a kids’ club.
Which would you choose?
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Sources: MICHELIN Guide: Cap Rocat, SLH: Cap Rocat, The Independent: Cap Rocat, Four Seasons press: 2026 season, Journal des Palaces: Formentor opening, The Luxury Editor: Formentor. Facts change: please confirm details with the hotel when booking.