As we look forward to what the new year will bring, the Balearic Islands continues to develop its tourism proposition with a range of new hotel openings and other tourism developments.

Below are some of our top picks of what's new in the archipelago for 2022 (Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera).

DESTINATION NEWS

MENORCA PREPARES FOR EUROPEAN REGION OF GASTRONOMY STATUS 2022

Menorca has been named the European Region of Gastronomy for 2022 by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism. The European Region of Gastronomy project aims to promote local products and cuisine in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and has recognised Menorca's efforts to enrich and support its own gastronomic heritage and cultural diversity. Menorca aims to consolidate its position as a leading food destination worldwide. In 2022, Menorca will host an array of gastronomic events, tastings, workshops and festivals. The programme will be revealed soon.        

PALMA TO HOST PARABERE FORUM 2022

PARABERE Forum is an annual event that gathers thought-leaders in the field of gastronomy, food and nutrition, organised by an independent non-profit international platform featuring female views and important voices on major food issues. The next edition of the Parabere Forum 2022 will take place on March 6 and 7, 2022 in Palma for the first time. http://parabereforum.com

TALAYOTIC MENORCA, OFFICIAL CANDIDATE FOR WORLD HERITAGE STATUS 2022

In July 2022, UNESCO will reveal the new additions to the World Heritage List. Menorca is confident that "Talayotic Menorca”, Spain's official candidate for World Heritage Status 2022, will be considered.

Menorca covers just over 700 km2 and has 1,586 archaeological sites. Not all of these can be easily accessed, which is why a selection has been made that best represents and summarises the island's prehistory and are accessible to anyone interested in discovering the Talayotic world of Menorca. The Balearic Islands have four UNESCO distinctions: Serra de Tramuntana and the Song of Sybil in Mallorca, Menorca protected by the UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, and Ibiza for its fortified acropolis (around Dalt Vila) and its marine ecosystem, comprising prairies of oceanic Posidonia (seagrass). 

SANTA EULÀRIA LAUNCHES 'RESTAURANTS WITH CHARM' BROCHURE FOR 2022

Restaurants with Charm' brochure showcases 44 of Ibiza's most authentic and stylish region, Santa Eulària des Riu. Acting as a one-stop guide to the best restaurants in the area the brochure gives visitors all the information, locations and inspiration they need to enjoy a gastronomic-focused holiday in the region. http://visitsantaeulalia.com/en/

NEW HOTEL OPENINGS

PALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP TO LAUNCH NEW LUXURY TRS PROPERTY IN IBIZA

Palladium Hotel Group is set to open a brand new 5-star all-inclusive adults-only luxury hotel, TRS Ibiza Hotel in summer 2022. The beachfront hotel will be located alongside the stunning coves of Cala Gració and Cala Gracioneta, that are renowned for their idyllic waters and surrounding scenery. There will be 378 suites with a variety of facilities available for guests including private swimming pools and Jacuzzis on the terraces. The hotel will feature three à la carte restaurants, serving a range of delicious seafood dishes, show cooking spaces and five fantastic bars, including a panoramic rooftop terrace. The hotel will boast a range of Spa & Wellness treatments, massages and services such as saunas, steam rooms, and more. https://www.palladiumhotelgroup.com/en/hotels/spain/ibiza/ibiza-sanantonio/trs-ibiza-hotel

THE STANDARD IBIZA TO OPEN IN THE HEART OF IBIZA TOWN THIS SPRING

The North American boutique chain KKH will be arriving in Spain next year to open its first luxury 70-room hotel in the heart of Ibiza Old Town. The Standard Ibiza has been designed by the architect Carlos Ferrater and it will open its doors in Spring 2022 in the White Isle. It is the first establishment of the North American group to launch in Spain and the second in Europe, with one property already established in London. https://www.standardhotels.com/ibiza/properties/ibiza

CONCEPT HOTEL GROUP TO OPEN GRAND PARADISO, ITS SEVENTH PROPERTY IN THE WHITE ISLE

The Ibiza-owned Concept Hotel Group will open its seventh property in 2022. Grand Paradiso is a  new 41-room hotel dedicated to audio-visual art in all its forms.  A place where pastel colours, Art Deco (in its most classic and elegant version) and hedonism converge in the heart of San Antonio bay.

It will feature a 30-seat cinema in which they will offer documentary cycles, short presentations, and films, inspired by the Regio de Sant Antoni cinema and a gallery for exhibitions.  Grand Paradiso will have a space called Venice Bay for small stage performances, a vibrantly designed basketball court, pool area and a food truck. https://www.concepthotelgroup.es/en/

CAN LLUC IBIZA TO OPEN FOUR NEW VILLAS WITH FAMILY BEDROOMS IN 2022

Can Lluc Ibiza.  a charming countryside hotel situated in the heart of Ibiza, surrounded by pine forests and beautiful landscapes, is currently undertaking an expansion with four new villa units, suitable for families. Families will be able to enjoy the Mediterranean gardens, outdoor showers, refreshing pool, and unparalleled privacy. The new units have been designed to give the feeling of being in a private villa but with hotel services. The new units are scheduled to open in May 2022 and are designed for families of two adults and one to two children.  https://www.canlluc.com/en

AGUAS DE IBIZA GRANDE LUXE COMMITS TO NEW SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

The Aguas de Ibiza Grand Luxe is reinforcing its sustainability commitment by increasing the number of solar panels in the facilities and substituting old vehicles for more sustainable electric alternatives as well as offering bikes as a way to get around the island. The hotel has long been committed to sustainability and continues to make ongoing changes in line with these ambitions.  https://aguasdeibiza.com

 NATIVO HOTEL IBIZA TO OPEN PLASTIC-FREE RESTAURANT

In the first half of 2022 the recently opened hotel, Nativo Hotel Ibiza, will be opening a new rooftop restaurant within the hotel complex. The restaurant will offer an array of delicious dishes from the grill using fresh 0KM local produce from Ibiza, served up by chef Omar Partida. The hotel is also proudly plastic free and will continue to improve on their sustainability initiatives for 2022. https://nativohotelibiza.com/bohemian-boutique-hotel

VYBRA HOTELS STARTS REFURBISHMENT

Vybra Hotels, the former Playasol hotel chain, will completely reform the Piscis Park hotel in Sant Antoni (Vybra Piscis) from 2 to 4 stars, updating its 366 rooms. It will reopen its doors at the end of May 2022. www.vibrahotels.com/es/ibiza/san-antonio/hotel-vibra-pisci

El VICENÇ DE LA MAR FIVE-STAR HOTEL TO OPEN IN SPRING 2022 IN MALLORCA

In April 2022, El Vicenç de la Mar, a new five-star hotel, arrives in Cala Sant Vicenç on the northern coastline of the island just 7km from Pollença on the east side of Cap Formentor. The town boasts four beautiful bays, and the hotel sits directly on a cove of crystal-clear azure waters. The hotel will offer 35 guest rooms including four suites and one Penthouse suite, some with their own private terraces, private Jacuzzis, or private swimming pools. The hotel boasts a breathtaking rooftop terrace with a swimming pool, cocktail bar and restaurant where guests can enjoy the sweeping views across Cala Sant Vicenc and the Sierra Tramuntana Mountain ranges, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The hotel will be a perfect setting that combines relaxation, gastronomy, leisure, and nature. www.elvicenc.com

NEW KIMPTON HOTEL SANTA PONSA SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN 2022

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants owned by the Intercontinental Hotels Group are renovating the former Santa Ponsa Country Club in Mallorca's southwest region to create a new 78-room hotel. The project is a total renovation of the existing complex. The new Kimpton Hotel Santa Ponsa will feature a large sports leisure complex, a social club with three restaurants, conference rooms, multifunctional space for events, a gym, spa and indoor pool, beauty centre, a large garden with 2 outdoor pools and a first-class tennis sports complex.

THE RECENTLY OPENED PALMA RIAD HOTEL WILL ADD A MASTER SUITE IN 2022

Just opened in the fashionable Carrer San Jaume street off Palma's main shopping street of Jaime III, Palma Riad brings a touch of Marrakech to the city's offering of boutique hotels and features a stunning courtyard with a small plunge pool that leads into the exotic décor of the Moroko Cocktail Bar. The hotel, which is aimed at adults only, has 11 individual suites all with their own individual style and décor. In 2022, the hotel will have one new Master Suite with capacity for four adults. Rooms are priced from 350€ per night inclusive of breakfast. www.palmariad.com

NEW ACCOMMODATION-ONLY CONCEPT HOTEL WILL OPEN IN PORTO CRISTO

The Anirà Bé Petits Hotel Group currently operates six hotels in Menorca and is now planning to expand to Mallorca with the opening of a further four hotels. Their first project, due to open in 2022, is the renovation of a former pension overlooking the marina in Porto Cristo on Mallorca's east coast. The hotel be an accommodation-only and will encouraging guests to go out and eat and drink in the bars and restaurants nearby, thereby benefiting the local economy.

-Ends-

For more information on what to see and to in the Balearic Islands, please visit: www.illesbalears.travel;

Twitter @BalearicTour; Instagram @Turismoislasbaleares.

Editorial enquiries can be directed to BalearicIslands@wearelotus.co.uk.