Can Furiós

Can Furiós Petit Hotel is one of those special places you can sometimes find tucked away in quiet corners of Mallorca. The name Can Furiós translates to 'ferocious dog' but the most ferocious thing around during our visit was a sleepy sheep. The hotel's emblem, a lovely old carved stone dog with bared teeth, guards the entrance courtyard but even he has mellowed in tune with his surroundings in the tiny hamlet of Binibona. This lovely place is tucked away in the foothills of the Sierra de Tramuntana only 8 kilometres from Mallorca's second city, Inca, and is conveniently placed for access to both the main North/South highway, and the hilly tourist routes to Lluc, Pollença and Sóller. At the same time, it's light years away from any town in terms of peace and tranquillity.

The hotel and restaurant at Can Furiós are housed in beautifully restored 16th century stone buildings amidst landscaped gardens, with a large swimming pool and a series of terraces. There's a wonderfully romantic air to the place, with its hidden corners and surprises at every turn. And it is so peaceful that your senses awaken and you become aware of tiny sounds and subtle scents that enhance the sheer pleasure of being in such a delightfull place.

The restaurant at Can Furiós, which is the focus of this review, is open to non-residents of the hotel in the evenings of Tuesday through Sunday and it is essential to call ahead for a reservation. The indoor restaurant has been created in the room where the old olive press did its work but, whenever possible, dining takes place on one of several terraces around the hotel. We visited in early October, and were able to dine comfortably al fresco on the terrace adjoining the bar and lounge upstairs - such are the simple pleasures of Mallorca's climate.

There is a set menu, which changes daily, at Can Furiós, but reasonable requests for variations can be accommodated if sufficient notice is given. Dishes are modern Mediterranean and Mallorcan in style, and make use of the finest ingredients, as well as fruit, vegetables, and herbs from the hotel gardens. The wine list has a strong focus on Mallorcan wines and there is in-house expertise available to help you with your choice if some of them are unfamiliar.

We were able to take a look at one or two of the guest rooms and were impressed by their spaciousness and the high standard of furnishings and decoration. There are four suites and three bedrooms at Can Furiós, all of which have private bathrooms, generous in both size and equipment, as well as facilities such as air conditioning and heating, satellite television, direct line telephones, wireless Internet, a safe and a minibar.

This is one of the nicest spots we have so far found in Mallorca and is a perfect place to recover from the wear and tear of modern life. Even a few hours was enough for Can Furiós to work its magic - imagine what a few days there would do!