Celebrities in Mallorca & where to find them

Brad Pitt, Anne Hathaway, Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Harrison Ford, Sting, Jamie Oliver, Paris Hilton, Goldie Hawn, Sir Richard Branson... Other than their A-list celebrity status, what else do they have in common? They can all be spotted holidaying in Mallorca!

Mallorca has had a wild ride when it comes to popularity and perception. In the distant past, it had its fair share of celebrity guests such as Frédéric Chopin and his partner, George Sand in 1838, and Agatha Christie, who famously wrote one of her novels on the island in 1932 (aptly named "Problems at Pollensa Bay")

It's had a bit of a golden age in the 1950s & 1960s when it was a prime holiday spot for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin. It was then very much perceived as an integral, if somewhat quieter, extension of the glittering Côte d’Azur. The culmination of that came with Mallorca being chosen by Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier III as their honeymoon destination in 1956. It speaks volumes that a couple who could have gone anywhere in the world and actually owned a perfectly glamorous piece of Côte d’Azur choose Hotel Formentor for the most important getaway of their lifetimes!

In the 1980s and 90s, with the rising popularity of package holidays, Mallorca became synonymous with an all-inclusive family vacation. Then, with the ever-cheaper flights, it became a party destination for thousands of stag & hen-dos - not exactly something we would associate with jet-setting celebrities. But this is exactly where Mallorca reveals its true duality - it has enough space to cater to both!

Today, Mallorca is firmly established as a destination of relatively cheap short-haul holidays for Europeans, but also a glamorous hotspot for the international jet-set glitterati. While families tend to holiday by the kid-friendly beaches in the North and East, celebrities tend to holiday in the glamorous Southwest of the island.

Want to see if you can spot a celebrity in Mallorca for yourself? There are a few places where this is more likely than elsewhere.

Cristiano Ronaldo spends a few weeks on the island year on year. In 2020 he stayed in the Belmond La Residencia in the picturesque Deia. But previously he was known for renting out not just a couple of suites, but pretty much all of the top floor at St. Regis Mardavall, just south-west of Palma. If you'd like to visit the hotel yourself, but would rather not spend the night (or, let's face it, if you'd rather not spend the 600 Euro per night!), there is another way. St. Regis Mardavall sells day experiences and gift vouchers online. Here, you can easily buy treats like a Breakfast, Spa Day access and various Spa treatments for yourself or as gifts

Michelle Obama spent two summers in Mallorca in a row in 2017 and 2018.  She chose a slightly quieter setting in the Tramuntana Mountains and was seen boarding a luxury yacht in Puerto Portals. To follow in her footsteps, have a look at the experiences and gift vouchers in Castillo Hotel Son Vida - right at the foothills of the mountains, but close enough to the sea to offer the most spectacular sea views.

Joseph Fiennes not only often spends his holidays in Mallorca but also owns two properties on the island. Clearly in love with the place he gets involved in local causes, like the revival of Cineciutat, a cinema & theatre venue in the centre of Palma de Mallorca. If you'd like to get a feel for the heart of Palma, why not spend a day at one of the historic hotels in the centre? Have a look at the experiences and gift vouchers at Can Bordoy - a luxury 5* boutique hotel in a prime location of the city.

Celebrities in Mallorca are in their natural habitat. If you see one, please try not to disturb them... Take a mental picture, not one with flash - they get spooked easily!

Photo by Sebastian Coman Travel on Unsplash