The Place
Carrer Sant Jaume, an important conduit between the Placa Espana and the Placa Joan Carles, is in Palma’s Casco antiguo (old town), and on Sant Jaume is the Hotel Born. The district is designated a national treasure, part of the Monumento Nacional de Espana. One fine facade succeeds another; playful oriels jut out from the fronts of houses; behind wooden slatted windows hang heavy fabrics of brocade, velvet and silk. Over the centuries, pedestrains have polished the cobbles to a high gloss.
Inside the hotel, great marble pillars support the Gothic arches of the entrance hall. This opens on to the patio, lush with palm trees, where in summer they serve a Mallorcan breakfast with authentic local ensaimada (pastries). A stone staircase sweeps in a broad and elegant arc up to the first floor. Bedrooms are comfortable and charmingly furnished; suites are considerably more spacious.
Just around the corner from the hotel is the famous Avenida Jaime III, with its elegant shops.