Scott's, Binissalem, Spain

Scott’s is a real surprise. Located on one side of the Plaza Mayor of sleepy inland-town Binissalem in Mallorca, nothing more than a small brass name plate indicates the fact that, behind the heavy wooden door, lies a small slice of English comfort. The discreet entrance is mirrored in the low-key atmosphere of this luxury hotel – it is quiet, relaxed and elegant throughout.

The facilities

This luxury house is very English in style - the entrance hall is dark and quiet, leading through to a small salon with an honesty bar – you are pretty much left to your own devices here. There is another salon at the front with a fireplace and sofas. The breakfast room is across the courtyard and up the stairs, but for dinner you have to walk 5 minutes across town to their bistro or take your pick from the local offerings.

Scott’s pool is Roman-style indoors, just off the patio, and to lie in the sun you have to climb up to the sun terrace which would be bakingly unusable in summer as there is no shade at all. Ultimately, this luxury hotel is an intimate and charming place to base yourself for exploring all that Mallorca has to offer, rather than somewhere to laze around – perfect for those looking for something more active than lying by the pool all day.

The rooms

The 17 bedrooms at this boutique hotel are light and charming, with handmade (in England, of course) blue and white floral embroidery covering handmade mattresses. There are a number of suites, each with a unique character, and some with (shade-less) terraces. Modern amenities such as internet connection and fully stocked minibar are also included.