CONCEPCIO BY NOBIS, PALMA DE MALLORCA IS NOW OPEN

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With its laidback charm, abundance of culture and easy duality of sea and city, it’s no wonder that the Nobis group chose Palma as the location for its first property outside Scandinavia. Opened this June in the Mallorcan capital, Concepció by Nobis brings together the Swedish brand’s signature Scandi style with a sophisticated Spanish charm, both played out in a historic building that is located on the border of the city’s Old Town.

Home to just 31 guestrooms, Concepció by Nobis is as much a spot in which for people to socialize in as it is an intimate place to stay, as witnessed in the property’s flow of open spaces that include a restaurant, bar and lounge, rooms for meetings and events, and a standout pool and terrace area. With an elevated design concept by long-time architecture partner Wingårdhs, and frequent recognition of local craft and artisans, this new hub promises to excite. www.designhotels.com/concepcio-by-nobis

Set in a central part of Palma where the Old Town meets the Santa Catalina district, Concepció by Nobis holds court in a corner of the city that is steeped in history. Named for the street on which it is located—Carrer de la Concepció, once a well-known marketplace for olive oil—the hotel occupies a site that dates to the mid-16th century and a property that at various points in time has been a soap factory and a private residence. The result is a building infused with numerous elements of the past in a locale where buzzy modern bars and restaurants jostle with cultural landmarks like the Plaça d’Espanya, Mercat de Santa Catalina, and Mercat de l’Olivar. 

It all makes for a scenic backdrop to a hotel that places great emphasis on aesthetics. Revamped by Swedish studio Wingårdhs, alongside Spanish firms Jordi Herrero Arquitectos, and Eduardo Garcia Acuna Arquitecto, the 16th-century setting now beams with layers of brass and wood. This is accented with a heavy inventory of furniture, lighting, and fittings from internationally regarded brands in a testament to the hotel’s design credentials. As well as Carl Hansen armchairs in guestrooms and lighting from Örsjö, the property is peppered with pieces from brands that include Artek, HAY, and B&B Italia, which comfortably co-exist alongside the building’s carefully restored arches, pillars, and vaults.

This seamless merger of the old and the new is epitomized in the creation of a series of bespoke tiles; the result of a partnership with local ceramics brand, Huguet. Inspired by the Mallorcan landscape, the specialists have created a green and white watercolor-style tile designed by Wingårdhs exclusively for the hotel, with each piece handmade by Huguet’s skilled craftspeople in a workshop just east of Palma, and applied to the entrance floor, accommodations, and bathrooms. 

A similar Mediterranean spirit is evident in the guestrooms and suites, all 31 of which are also underlined by a poignant Scandinavian presence. Here, bright white walls are contrasted with black beams and doors, and a mix of both dark and neutral textiles feature alongside locally crafted carpentry, all bathed in natural light. In addition to Huguet’s bespoke tiles in bathrooms and coffee tables by Zanat, standout details include latticed canvas headboards by Swedish brand Gemla and floor lamps by Le Klint, while the generously sized Terrazza Room also features its own private patio. Bathroom amenities by cult Swedish fragrance brand Byredo complete this cool mix, and nod to both the hotel’s Scandi roots and its overarching theme of contemporary elegance.

The hotel’s public areas introduce a fluidity of spaces in which guests may easily glide from room to room. Meeting, dining, working and resting are all facilitated in Concepció by Nobis’ expansive lounge—a room defined by communal tables and various nooks ideal for both spontaneous gatherings and moments of peace. Organized functions can be entertained in the hotel’s meeting room and chambré séparée, two stylish spaces that have been dressed by Wingårdhs in vintage furniture and chandeliers. Elsewhere, the hotel’s in-house restaurant Xalest serves up a simple, yet authentic menu of Mallorcan-inspired classics crafted with a contemporary touch by local chef Xema Álvarez, alongside a bar where tapas, regional wine and bespoke cocktails are also available. It’s all rounded out with a rare treat in this city—a spacious outdoor area in which a sunny terrace and an outdoor pool come together for a serene oasis in central Palma. Further repose is expedited in the hotel’s ground floor sauna and relaxation area, while guests seeking a higher tempo will appreciate the adjacent gym that meets all the requirements of a modern city fitness space.