Faustino Gran offers a distinctive hospitality experience by transforming three historic palaces in Ciutadella, Menorca, into a singular five-star destination. This collection of noble residences—Can Faustino, Cal Bisbe, and Can Sebastià—is nestled within the city's ancient quarter, showcasing meticulous preservation and integration of local heritage. The establishment provides a luxurious stay while honoring its historical roots and supporting sustainable practices, creating an immersive cultural journey for its guests.
For centuries, Ciutadella, Menorca's former capital, was governed by prominent noble families, each residing in magnificent palaces within the same intricate network of golden sandstone streets. While many cities have seen such historic buildings disappear over time, Ciutadella has managed to retain them. Faustino Gran is a remarkable project that has revitalized these structures, giving them a new purpose. It is not merely a single five-star hotel but rather a compilation of these protected noble palaces, including Can Faustino, Cal Bisbe, and Can Sebastià. These residences are situated in the oldest part of Ciutadella, mere steps away from the 16th-century Convent of Santa Clara and the Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral Basilica of Ciutadella de Menorca.
Collectively, these palaces house 56 uniquely designed rooms and suites, complemented by two outdoor pools, two indoor plunge pools, a cave spa, and two restaurants. The vision for this project originated with Laurent Morel-Ruymen, a Frenchman who, after a chance encounter with a local property owner, redirected his plans. He was advised to explore a palace in Ciutadella that held the potential to become the town's premier five-star establishment. This palace was Can Faustino, an 18th-century residence last renovated by the noble Faustino de Olivas family, whose name it proudly bears. Faustino Gran emerged as Menorca's inaugural Relais & Châteaux property. Given the buildings' protected historic status, the hotel's design had to conform to the palaces' existing architecture, resulting in each room possessing its own distinct character, shaped by the original structural limitations.
The restoration process itself yielded a significant discovery. During the excavation for the pool at Can Faustino, workers unearthed a hidden cave, previously unknown to both the current owner and the generations of families who had lived there. Today, this cave serves as the hotel's spa, offering treatments developed around La Finca Menorca, the collection's proprietary line of products made from biodynamic Balearic ingredients. The architectural constraints that define the hotel have, in fact, become its most captivating features. Bedrooms are adorned with vast ceiling beams, 18th-century oak doors still pivot on their original hinges, and entire walls are embellished with botanical murals by Delphine Nény, a master decorative painter. Outdoors, the English-style garden maintains elements from the palace's initial design, primarily utilizing indigenous Menorcan materials in its landscaping and construction.
The palaces' interiors are enriched with fragments of the island's past. Antique amphoras, once used to transport oil and wine across the Mediterranean, now grace the courtyards and stairwells. The bar displays traditional side-saddles, formerly used by Menorcan horsewomen. These saddles hint at a pervasive theme throughout the collection: striking photography, much of it by French photographer Nicolas Guérin, vividly portrays the Festes de Sant Joan. This spirited midsummer festival, dating back to the 14th century, features approximately 120 Menorcan horses and their riders parading through the streets each June. Each building highlights a distinct protagonist from these festivities, with the featured individual, always a man from one of the town's noble families, changing every two years. In Can Sebastià, home to the collection's largest indoor pool, an imposing painting of the Caballo Menorquín points towards Biniatram, a 17th-century estate 12km away. This estate is where the group behind the hotel plans to open an exclusive equestrian retreat.
Just a short distance from Can Sebastià lies Cal Bisbe, formerly the bishop's residence. This 17th-century sandstone dwelling remains connected to the Cathedral, with the bishop still residing next door. Few hotels can offer such a profound sense of place: from the poolside terrace, arguably the most picturesque viewpoint in town, guests enjoy direct views of the Cathedral and the bishop's private patio. Guests of Faustino Gran also have the opportunity to visit Casa de Pau, the hotel's retreat located within a 15-hectare pine forest a few kilometers outside the town. This site, a nature reserve powered entirely by solar energy, offers visitors the chance to participate in yoga classes under the pines, swim in the pool, explore the small cove below, and enjoy lunch prepared with fresh produce from the finca.
As a member of Relais & Châteaux, Faustino Gran adheres to the association's twelve sustainability commitments, developed in collaboration with UNESCO. These commitments encompass everything from local and seasonal sourcing to the protection of biodiversity. Furthermore, these principles mandate members to safeguard local cultural heritage and iconic architecture, which is precisely what these extensive restorations achieve. In the listed buildings, every original element has been meticulously repaired rather than replaced. Ciutadella's palaces were constructed by families with the expectation of enduring for generations, and for a period, their longevity was uncertain. Faustino Gran has secured a viable future for three of these historic structures without compromising their intrinsic value. For an immersive journey into Menorca's history and vibrant culture, this destination provides an unforgettable stay. The fidelity with which the hotel has restored the town's heritage is exceptional, resulting in a premium experience that is both luxurious and authentically Menorcan.