We stayed at La Residencia for the first time in December 2007. We were both taken aback by this beautifully converted old farmhouse, set in a sleepy village. We were greeted with a glass of delicious champagne when we arrived and being December the fires were lit and there were Christmas trees all around. Our room, No.23 in the main house was spotlessly clean, tastefully decorated and very spacious with a separate living room, bedroom and bathroom. During our stay the fire was lit in our room but the chimney was clearly in need of a sweep, as the room filled with smoke! For our comfort and safety we were moved to one of the suites in the newer buildings. All rooms are in keeping with the original building. The suites have huge plasma televisions and basically have more space, with a balcony. We felt views from all the rooms were fabulous as it is such a scenic location. I think the rooms in the main building are beautiful and represent excellent value. No two rooms are the same due to the nature of the original building. Richard Branson and his family still visit here once a year although he no longer owns the place.
I didn't try the spa as I thought it was a bit pricey but I used the pool and the outside jacuzzi which is not to be missed! It is set high in the mountains - stunning on a fresh cold morning! I agree with others that the spa needs to be better sign posted.
The food at La Residencia was out of this world both in El Olivo and the bar. El Olivo is an unbelievably romantic restaurant, with candles lit everywhere. The food is utterly stunning.... it puts the likes of Gordan Ramsey... whose restaurant we had eaten in a week earlier... to shame! The staff in the restaurant are professional and extremely well informed. We loved every minute of our dining experience there... and we did venture out in the village a couple of nights too!
All the staff at La Residencia gave impeccable service. They all spoke superb English, were smart, friendly and very accommodating. A special mention to Ivan the porter, for being so lovely and so helpful.
We have stayed at all the glossy hotels from the Shangri-la's, The Chedi's to the Banyan Trees of this world and we can honestly say this is the best of them all. The staff in particular made the difference. I can honestly recommend this hotel to anyone. If you want to get away from it all, this is the place to go. We are looking forward to our next stay there.

Its always easy to write negative comments abouts stays at Hotels.-I note there are some here. However;I have stayed in this hotel around 25 times over the past 14 years and I can recommend it to anyone who likes to take some time out, not be overdressed,eat well,drink well and enjoy the company of others if you wish and spa if you dont! Despite the building works last year which were pretty awful compared to a normal stay, all that has finished, and here I am heading off there again this week with my 13 girl pals for a quick 3 nights of time out.!The service offered by this hotel is exemplory and I have never known anything be too much trouble and to us its as if we are staying at a good friends house. I dont think you have experienced the best hotel in Majorca until you do have a few nights here and so my suggestion is you just get on the phone and just do it!

This was our third visit to the hotel. I fail to see how anyone can write a negative review about it (but then some people wouldn't be happy unless they could find things to criticise in Paradise). From the moment you arrive and are greeted with a glass of bubbly in front of a crackling log fire, you feel pampered through and through. The staff are as friendly and helpful as can be wished for, and the rooms are spacious, spotless and tastefully decorated. Flinging open the shutters in the morning and breathing in the woodsmoke curling down from the houses on the mountainside, it's hard to imagine a better start to one's day. As it was my birthday while we were there, I received a card from the management and a bouquet of lilies. My husband and I tried treatments at the spa and would definitely recommend these (although you should allow extra time to find the spa, as the signs are discrete in the extreme and we ended up arriving ten minutes late! Needless to say, we were not made to feel this was a problem in any way). The food in the main restaurant is excellent, as is the ambience. If I had to criticise anything about our visits to La Residencia, the only small niggle is the firmness of the mattresses: I end up with slight backache after a couple of nights' stay, but it is a very small price to pay for such a consistently magical experience.

We’ve been visiting La Residencia for many years now. I have never, ever been disappointed. We started with a standard room and as our resources have allowed, upgraded through the years to finally enjoy the Luxury Suites. We always find the staff polite, welcoming and capable. The whole ambience of La Residencia is in keeping with the village, it is calm, relaxing, unhurried...tranquil. The rooms are all wonderful in their own way. Whether it’s the creaky, squeaky quaint rooms in the old house or the self contained luxury with every amenity of the larger suites in Son Fony building, each has it’s own character and beauty. I cannot yet vouch for the new suites. Our pleasure is enhanced further when dining at El Olivo...IMHO one of the best restaurants in Europe. Whilst it is always my pleasure to chose from the published menu, on many occasions Chef Méndez and his team have produced a menu just for our table comprising maybe seven courses of original dishes which do not feature on the evening’s A la Carte or current tasting menu. How a busy kitchen can go so far out of its normal routine to cater for this is not only testament to the value they place in regular guests but also a fine indication that the Chef is truly creative, inspired and not restricted by routine. I consider it a privilege and a sincere pleasure to dine at El Olivo. Breakfast is a wonderful affair taken on the terrace and complimented by the muted sounds of the waking village. Lunch is equally as lovely by the pool, or take a walk to the village for great tapas or to the beach for the freshest, classic Majorcan fish dishes.

La Residencia is one of my favourite hotels in the World. The time we spend here and in the village is very precious to us. I would be most critical if anything impacted upon that. I had followed the development of the new suites (from afar I hasten to add) during the winter months and was concerned as to how they may appear when finished. On our approach to the village this Summer I struggled to notice any adverse impact on the visual of Deia. In fact you would have to seek a vantage point high in the village opposite La Residencia to capture an uninterupted view of the new suites. We have noticed many refurbishments and builds in the village over the years, particularly in the last three or four. These have already mellowed with time and blend in very well. I have every confidence that the planned and continued landscaping and natural weathering of the new suites at La Residencia will further add to the ‘blending’ of this new development.

In summary, of course we all care about places that are dear to us but business and money will always play a part in challenging and compromising our environments. It is my view that whilst a change has undoubtedly taken place at La Residencia it has been well executed and its impact will diminish in time. The hotel remains a true gem and maintains the charm and ambience originally conceived by Sir Richard to reflect beautiful Deia.