St. Regis Mardavall: Four Stars from the Forbes Travel Guide – a Win for Costa d'en Blanes

St. Regis Mardavall: Four Stars from the Forbes Travel Guide – a Win for Costa d'en Blanes

The award recognizes service, cuisine and Mallorcan hospitality by the sea

Early in the morning, when the fishing boats play in the light and the first coffee steams on the promenade of Puerto Portals, the news is felt most keenly: The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort has been awarded four stars at the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards 2026. For locals this sounds like more than a trophy at the hotel reception — it is confirmation of what many of us have long seen: excellent service in a place that is committed to the island.

The resort is located on the Costa d'en Blanes, in Punta Negra, set amid Mediterranean gardens with sea views. Visitors appreciate the newly renovated suites and the well-known butler service; neighbors notice the gardeners pruning bougainvillea and the delivery traffic in the early morning when fresh regional produce arrives. These small everyday scenes tell a quiet story: luxury rooted in the local community.

Much of the praise goes to the cuisine. Es Fum, awarded one Michelin star and led by chef Miguel Navarro, stands as a flagship for the Mallorcan interpretation of fine dining. This is part of the island's wider culinary success, detailed in Mallorca remains a magnet for gourmets: Eleven Michelin stars and five green awards. In addition, the Mediterranean Terra and the Mar Sea Club complement the offering; the latter provides calm tables in a natural setting and blends Mediterranean with Latin American flavors. These culinary pillars not only bring gastronomic renown, but also create jobs and demand for local products — from olive oil from the Tramuntana hinterland to fish from nearby waters.

The Forbes awards are based on anonymous inspections. Experts check how well establishments respond to the wishes and needs of their guests. For the island, the recognition sends a signal: Mallorca offers not only sun and beaches but also international standards in service. That pays off when travelers return or extend their stays — not just for hotels, but also for small cafés, boat rental businesses and craftspeople along the coast.

For people here, such an award is also a reminder of how tourism can work: more sustainably, in partnership, and with an eye on local economic cycles. Local initiatives that preserve stories and place, such as Son Bunyola Awarded a Michelin Key: A House That Preserves Stories, illustrate this approach. When Mardavall incorporates high-quality local products into its kitchens, favors suppliers from the area, or trains staff from the region, the award has a direct, positive effect.

Looking ahead: such honors can help strengthen the off-season. Guests who seek service quality and culinary experiences often spread their holidays into quieter months. That brings income at times when streets would otherwise be emptier and the cafés on the paseo have fewer tables occupied. For workers in Calvià or Palma, that means more stable jobs throughout the year.

If you think this is only for hotel guests — a practical tip: many of the venues open certain restaurants and events to locals as well. An evening at Es Fum or a relaxed lunch at the Mar Sea Club can be as much a local outing as a walk along the harbor. It's an opportunity to discover what is on your doorstep while supporting regional value creation.

In the end, a feeling remains that you often have on Mallorca: praise from outside is welcome, but it only matters if it benefits home. Four stars from Forbes are a lovely confirmation for the St. Regis Mardavall — and for the people of Costa d'en Blanes who work every day to make guests and neighbors feel at home.