The Place
The picturesque little town of Alaro, well away from the tourist throng in the Tramuntana Mountains area, is a well-kept secret largely because of its benign climate. Head out of Alaro on a narrow country road in the direction of Orient, and you enter a narrow, fenced-off and privately owned valley. After 3 km, S’Olivaret is signposted on the right. Follow this gravel road past the pool, set magnificently into the hillside. So far, so good. A short footpath (about 150 m) completes your journey.
Entering the imposing building through the hall, with its stone troughs, you make your way to the public room, a tafona (former oil mill), which has been beautifully restored. The millstone, together with the heavy conical grinding stone used to press the olives, makes an eye-catching centrepiece.
The rooms throughout are classily furnished, with a sprinkling of well- chosen antiques. The restaurant serves exquisite food.