ELLE Belgium: Why I Don't Want A Hotel In Mallorca Anymore (But Maybe A Home)

Yes, the markets and terraces were bustling; Mallorca is, after all, incredibly popular. But to my surprise, I'd rarely felt so relaxed. This had everything to do with where I was staying: a characterful house in the heart of Pollença, part of August's Signature Collection. No fighting for a sun bed, but a small pool where you could quickly dip before dinner at a local restaurant. No queues for the breakfast buffet, but slow mornings with coffee and a book on the terrace. The feeling of coming home was instant, and I quickly understood why you'd choose a holiday home on this beautiful yet popular island.

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Everything in the house has been carefully selected and installed. The bathroom soap smells of local oranges, and the dining table was custom-made by a Mallorcan craftsman whom August hired specifically for this property.

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Because that's what August does: collecting homes that are both destinations and dream settings. Not to rent, but to share. As co-owner of a collection of four to five properties across Europe (the French Alps, the Cotswolds, Tuscany, the Riviera… or Mallorca, for example), you'll have access to your selection for an average of 8 to 12 weeks per year. Everything is taken care of: renovation, maintenance, styling, and cleaning. All you have to do is arrive and open a bottle of local wine.

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Words By: Lore Ginneberge

Photos By: Joshua Vandeput

What makes this way of traveling unique is the balance between hotel comfort and the feeling of a second home. You arrive at a place that feels entirely yours, but without the worries or obligations of traditional ownership. A home you share with people who, like you, appreciate design and authenticity.

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The design is meticulously crafted, with linen curtains, wicker baskets, soft sofas, and plenty of wood. The surroundings of the homes are also carefully selected. Upon arrival, I discovered that Pollença isn't a hotspot in the traditional sense, but a village with character. Locals greet each other in the squares, and there's a weekly market that smells of melon and Manchego. Around the corner, I picked up cava and olives at the Canaves neighborhood shop for an aperitif on the terrace. A quick crossroads and I stumbled upon R3spira, an elegant Mediterranean restaurant. A few kilometers further, I rented a boat in Pollença's harbor to cool off.

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August has several properties in Mallorca in the same style, including an elegant townhouse in the artists' village of Santanyí, on the other side of the island. A similar philosophy prevails there: slower living and enjoyment. Every home in the Signature Collection embodies these values, regardless of location.

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Besides being inspired to redecorate my own home, I especially remember that relaxing feeling of coming home—something I rarely experience while traveling. And this during the busiest time of the year.

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Words By: Lore Ginneberge

Photos By: Joshua Vandeput‍