The Balearic Islands continue to be a favourite holiday destinations for British visitors. Below is an update of new tourism developments in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera.

Destination News

Formentera launches the 'Save Posidonia Project'

Formentera has launched a new initiative aiming to raise funds to conserve the Posidonia Oceanic marine plant. Each of the island's 76,500,000 square meters of Posidonia are available to sponsor and name, for just €1 per square metre. Posidonia is a marine plant, endemic in the Mediterranean and since 1999 the meadow of the Natural Park of Ses Salines d'Eivissa and Formentera has been declared a World Heritage Site. The Posidonia meadows help to protect the beaches from erosion and are also the habitat for more than 400 species of marine plants and 1,000 species of marine animals. For more information and to sponsor, please visit www.saveposidoniaproject.org.

Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró celebrates its 25th anniversary

One of the main cultural attractions in Palma, the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The museum features a vast collection of Joan Miró's work including 217 paintings, 178 sculptures, nine textiles, four ceramics and over 8,000 drawings and prints, as well work by other artists dedicated to Miró. Since opening in 1992, the museum has become a centrepiece for culture in Mallorca and the anniversary celebrations will include talks and conferences, guided art tours of the city and film screenings. A new book showcasing 25 years of the museum, 'Miro I la musica', will also be unveiled, as well as a new website. www.fmirobcn.org/en/

Gardens of Marivent open to public in May

The gardens at the Marivent Palace in Palma, the Spanish Royal Family's summer residence, will open to the public for the first time on 2 May. Spanning over 9,000 square metres, the gardens are free to visit and are home to over forty different plant species, as well as several birds of paradise. Spread throughout the garden are 12 bronze sculptures by the artist Joan Miró, which were made between 1969 and 1981, and have been donated by the Miró family. The gardens cost €217,000 to fund.

New Conference Centre to open in Palma

A new state-of-the-art conference centre, the “Palacio de Congresos”, is set to open in Palma's city centre in October. The centre was designed by the architect Francisco Mangado and is part of the city's objective to encourage business travel to the destination and position Palma as one of the main business travel locations in the world. The capacity for the main auditorium is 1,978, while the smaller room can hold 462 guests. Business traveller numbers from the UK to Palma are expected to increase by 8.95 per cent in 2017.

Balearic Islands official partner of UN's Sustainable Tourism Year

2017 is the United Nation's 'International Year of Sustainable Tourism' and the Balearic Islands are the only official partner destination. The islands have been working extensively to help promote sustainable tourism, boosting the positive impacts of the Balearic's main economic asset and reducing the negative impacts. A new Sustainable Tourism Tax was introduced last year, with the aim of funding approximately €500 million of environmental improvements over the next decade.

Menorca puts forward archaeological sites to UNESCO World Heritage Status

The island of Menorca has put forward 25 archaeological sites that are representative of the Talayotic culture of Menorca for UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Representing the prehistoric past of the island, there are in total 1,574 archaeological sites on the island. The Talayotic period began around 1400 BC and this ancient civilisation built 12 villages on the south side of the island. The name Talayotic derives from dry stone megalithic structures called Talayots. Menorca could find out this summer if the application has been successful.

New Openings

First Cappuccino Hotel to open in Mallorca

A new edition to Palma for spring 2018 is the Hotel Cappuccino, a four star hotel located near the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma. The design and architecture of the 32-room hotel has been led by renowned designer Jacques Grange in collaboration with London-based landscaper Jonathan Bell, who together have converted the historic building in Plaça de Cort. Guests will be able to enjoy a cinema room, a pool terrace and spa facilities during their stay. There is also a Tahini sushi bar and restaurant on site, as well as a Cappuccino grand café. A double room at the Hotel Cappuccino is available from €280 including breakfast. www.hotelcappuccino.com

Major refurbishment for the Gecko Hotel & Beach Club, Formentera

The Gecko Hotel & Beach Club reopened in 2017 following a major refurbishment. Set on one of the island's most beautiful beaches, Playa Migjorn, the new design of the hotel takes inspiration from the seaside elegance of the 1950s, and was led by Mallorcan designer Antonio Obrador. The hotel has 30 rooms, most with balconies perfect for watching the sunrise or sunset, while the ground floor rooms have private patios with pergolas and plunge pools. Visitors to the beach club will be able to enjoy house DJs spinning Bossa nova, cocktails delivered to your sunbed and beach cabanas. The food will be fresh and seasonal, with a focus on freshly-caught seafood. One night in a Gecko double room costs from €235, including breakfast. www.geckobeachclub.com

New Son Bunyola Villa opens in Mallorca

Virgin Limited Edition has opened a new villa, Son Balagueret, on the north coast on Mallorca in the Son Bunyola Estate. The new accommodation is Son Bunyola's latest addition following the opening of the first two villas, Sa Terra Rotja and Sa Punta de S'Aguila in summer 2016.

Son Balagueret is spread over three floors and includes a secluded central courtyard, a private heated swimming pool and panoramic views over the estate and the dramatic coastline. The villa sleeps up to six people in three bedrooms. The estate is spread over 700 acres and is located between Esporles and Banyalbufar on the northwest coast of Mallorca. A seven-night stay at Son Balagueret starts from €13,095, on a full-board basis with all drinks, a concierge service and housekeeping. www.virginlimitededition.com/en/son-bunyola

Two new Hipotels hotels in Mallorca for 2017

The four star Hipotels Gran Playa de Palma opened on 29 April. Located just 200 metres from the beach, the hotel has 368 rooms, and also boasts spa facilities, a spacious terrace for sunbathing, a large outdoor pool, a children's pool and gym facilities. A standard double room at the Hipotels Gran Playa de Palma starts from €109, including breakfast. http://en.hipotels.com/hotel-hipotels-gran-playa-palma-in-majorca.htm

On 1 June, the five-star Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace & Spa will open. This adults-only hotel is also located in the town of Playa de Palma, just a short walk away from the beach. The hotel has 224 rooms and is located near a lively strip of bars and clubs. There are also spa facilities on-site with a number of different treatments available. A double room at the Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace & Spa starts from €137, including breakfast. http://en.hipotels.com/hotel-playa-de-palma-palace-in-majorca.htm.

New Sant Jaume Boutique Hotel set to open in Palma in June

The new Sant Jaume Boutique Hotel is set to open in Palma de Mallorca in June. The hotel has 36 rooms and a rooftop sundeck with a plunge pool and stunning views of the city and cathedral. The hotel is found on one of the city's oldest streets between the historic buildings of the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Magdalena Convent. Guests can dine at the 'Tomeu Restaurant amb Arrels', which provides a classic Balearic dining experience and is led by Tomeu Caldentey, the first Mallorcan chef to be awarded a Michelin star. A wellness centre is also available with a heated pool, Finnish sauna and double cabin for treatments and massages. One night in a deluxe room for two is available from €292 including breakfast. www.boutiquehotelsantjaume.com

Five star luxury hotel Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay to open this summer

A brand new luxury hotel, the Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, will open its doors to the public from 30 June. Located near Cala Talamanca beach, the hotel has a natural and artisan design throughout, with 152 high-end rooms and suites, two pools, a kid's club and a spa with a range of treatments and wellness programs. The hotel concierge team can also provide island excursions.

The 'Nobu' restaurant offers Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine with Nobu Matsuhisa's signature dishes on the menu. 'Chambao' restaurant serves freshly-caught seafood and Balearic specialities by the beach, while 'Celicioso' offers healthy smoothies and gluten-free products. Double rooms at the Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay cost from €490, including breakfast. www.nobuhotelibizabay.com

Cap Rocat hotel to open new spa

The five-star Cap Rocat Hotel, built within a 19th century military fortress, has revealed a major new spa ahead of the summer season. Opened on 1 May, the spa area is carved into the limestone depths of the fortress, and has a large glass ceiling to ensure the area is bathed in Mallorcan sunshine.

The focal point of the spa is a 25m saltwater swimming pool, sunk 12m below ground level. There will be five treatment rooms with an onsite wellness team who have devised a range of products and treatments using local ingredients such as Mallorcan citrus, almonds and extra virgin olive oil. Signature treatments will include the Cap Rocat Body Peel, ideal for moisturising skin after exposure to the sun. A double room at Cap Rocat starts from €450 per night, including breakfast. www.caprocat.com

Magaluf opens first five-star hotel in 2017

Magaluf is set to welcome the city's first five star hotel, with the Zafiro Palace Palmanova & Spa Hotel, part of the Viva-Zafiro Hotels, is due to open in June 2017. Located on Avenida Saboners, the hotel is just 300 metres from the beach and five kilometres from beautiful Palma.

The hotel will feature 240 rooms, a choice of ten luxury swimming pools including one 'adults only' pool, premium Spa facilities including a Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish baths. There are also four restaurants within the hotel, serving Mediterranean and Italian cuisine, as well as sushi and a speciality grill.  A Junior Suite at the Viva Zafiro Palmanova & Spa Hotel is available from €384, including breakfast. www.zafirohotels.com

New boutique hotel, Casa Ládico, opens in Menorca

Opened in early April, the Hotel Casa Ládico is a brand new addition to Menorca and is located in Mahon's historic centre. The hotel has four floors, with 14 rooms of varying sizes. The hotel is also home to the Tranqvil Spa Suite, where guests indulge themselves with a steam sauna, aromatic baths and a couple's treatment area. Guests can eat breakfast at the Ládico Café, while in the evenings the Ládico Bistro offers a mix of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, as well as local Menorcan tapas and produce. A double 'cosy' room at the Casa Ládico is available from €120, including breakfast. www.ladicohotel.com

A new boutique hotel in the heart of Palma

Opened in late 2016, the boutique Bo Hotel is located in the heart of the Lonja quarter of Palma. The four star hotel is situated in a renovated 19th century building and is just a few moments away from the fashionable Paseo del Born and the harbour. The hotel is also home to the Ritzi Palma restaurant, serving the finest Mediterranean dishes and freshly-caught seafood, as well as a number of vegan meals under the guidance of head-chef Giancarlo Mellone. Right in front of the BO Hotel is the Ritzino Cocktail Bar. A double room at the BO Hotel is available from €162, including breakfast. www.bohotel.com

New Restaurants

The White Isle welcomes new restaurant and music venue, TATEL Ibiza

A new restaurant and music venue, TATEL Ibiza, has opened on the White Isle with a privileged location on the frontline of Playa D'En Bossa. The venue has capacity for up to 300 people and aims to bring stylish Spanish cuisine, forward thinking cocktails, live music and DJs to the picture perfect Ibiza coastline.

The menu has been transported from TATEL Madrid, created under the expertise of their head chef Nacho Chicharro. The restaurant will offer fresh Balearic cuisine with a focus on traditional recipes, local cuisine and seafood. TATEL Ibiza boasts the atmosphere of a speakeasy club with 1920s glamour, live music and beachfront terraces with Mediterranean views. The jewel of the venue is the copper DJ booth, which will host DJs provided by the highly acclaimed Ushuaïa Ibiza. www.tatelrestaurants.com/ibiza

Vermuteria La Rosa Chica opens in Mallorca

Following the success of Vermuteria La Rosa, a trendy tapas, wine and vermouth bar located in Palma, a second branch  'Vermuteria La Rosa Chica' has opened in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood, just moments from the marina. With a large outdoor terrace, visitors can enjoy the age-old Spanish custom of vermouth and choose from an elaborate list of options, served in the traditional way with a slice of lemon and an olive. Vermuteria La Rosa is famous for its small plates of cod croquetas, calamari skewers and pork-and-fig pate served and bustling atmosphere. www.larosavermuteria.com 

A new gastronomic concept launches in Palma de Mallorca

A new restaurant called Picco has opened in Palma de Mallorca offering diners a new gastronomic concept which fuses Asian and Italian cuisine. Picco is the first restaurant in Palma to serve a variety of sushi paired with natural fruit cocktails and a choice of large pizzas and a selection of pasta dishes. www.picco.es

Events

Sunset Classic Series returns at Royal Hideaway Formentor

World famous French tenor, Roberto Alagna, will be performing alongside the renowned Polish-born soprano, Aleksandra Kurzak, at the first Sunset Classic Series of the season on Thursday 18 May. The open-air concerts are returning for the fifth year at Royal Hideaway Formentor, which sits in acres of Mediterranean gardens on Mallorca's rugged Formentor peninsula. www.formentorsunsetclassics.com

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