Review: Finca Serena

_Location: Unlike most hotels and villas in Majorca, Finca Serena isn't located on the coast but almost smack bang in the centre of the island, surrounded by very little but unspoilt and rolling verdant fields. The closest rural towns - MontuTri and Algaida - are a few miles away. Palma airport is around a 35-minute drive.

_{First impressions:} At first the middle-of-nowhere setting of this converted old finca (farmhouse) feels a little odd, with most beaches, towns of any note and restaurants at least 30 minutes away, but it quickly hits home that the remote location is part of Finca Serena's charm. It's an escape, a place where the pace of life slows down to a shoulder­dropping level.

_{The facts:} Finca Serena opened in 2019 with just 25 rooms and suites, divided between the main farmhouse building and a handful of standalone cottages dotted around the grounds. The rooms are decorated in hues of dove grey, slate and white, with woven beach bags among the amenities for guests to use during their stay.

The property's decor manages to strike a balance between creating a chic hideaway and staying true to its rustic farmhouse roots. Meals at the res­taurant, Jacaranda, focus on farm-to-table cuisine and local produce, serving the hotel's own olive oil and with the first wines from its vineyard expected next summer.

Breakfast is a buffet, while at lunch guests can choose either a three-course 'full menu' or opt for just a main and dessert. Dinner options change daily and often there's a lengthy tasting menu. The outdoor pool has views over the surrounding countryside and there's a spa with an indoor pool and a gym.

The surrounding landscape provides the perfect setting for hiking and cycle trails. Finca Serena, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), is usually adult-only but changed its policy this year to allow children.

_Explore: The hotel's rural position means car hire is es­sential. Palma provides culture and shopping, and the quaint nearby town of Llucmajor has some lovely dining options. A visit to Cala Aguila beach is worth the SO-minute drive, with perfect azure waters greeting you on arrival and fewer crowds than equally pretty Formentor.

_Wow: The friendly staff are exceptional and genuinely love where they work. They have helped create the unhurried vibe of Finca Serena by ensuring guests don't have a care in the world.

_{Book it:} Agents can book the hotel through SLH. Rates start from £404 per night including breakfast.
slh.com