Many overseas stars have settled permanently or temporarily in Mallorca … just after a first visit. They have found their luxury dream home(s) here amidst a paradisiac landscape, away from the constant limelight of their usual residency place. Northern and western areas prove particularly popular with world-renowned residents seeking solitude along rocky shorelines dotted with isolated coves and beaches accessible only by sea.
The list is singularly long for a medium-size island. Amongst celebrities seeking total tranquillity in Mallorca are Annie Lennox whose house is hidden high up near Sóller, Pierce Brosnan who enjoys a secluded Serra de Tramontana Mountain retreat and top model Anja Rubik living close to Sóller.
Sir Richard Branson’s bought back his spectacular “Son Bunyola” estate in Banyalbufar, which he had sold after being refused planning permission to create a luxury hotel. Overlooking 5 km of breath-taking coastline, the property comprises an historic Mallorquin manor house and three country houses, recently transformed into ultra-luxury villas with pools, available for exclusive hire.
Celebrities such as the prestigious fashion and interior designer Matthew Williamson, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and Caroline Corr, the drummer of the Irish band "The Corrs", have made their home in the charming village of Deià. The north of the island is also home to celebrities such as Lord Lupton, who owns a 17th century fortress called "La Fortaleza". It is one of the most expensive properties on the island and overlooks the port of Pollença.
Regular VIPs in Mallorca
Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
S’Estaca, is a superb natural space nestled between the sought-after villages of Valldemossa and Deià, on the west coast of the Serra de Tramontana - world patrimony by the UNESCO. There is a bucolic tiny fishing port reached by a dirt track with truly spectacular views.
Michael Douglas' luxurious finca named also S'Estaca, is easily recognisable by its white and blue colours and the ornaments that crown the roofs. It was originally built for the Archduke Luis Salvador in the mid XIX century, who later donated it to “Catalina Homar”, a local peasant and sweetheart for a while. Michael Douglas bought S’Estaca with his first wife Diandra Luker in the 1980s, and after their divorce, kept it as his getaway paradise. Michael Douglas quotes S’Estaca the place he loves the most in the whole-wide-world. With breath-taking views of the sea, 100 hectares of vineyards, olive groves and orchards, the Douglas’ mansion comprises eight edifices, each with its own style and suitable for the most exclusive guests.
Among the many rooms, the property has a library, a multimedia suite, a wine cellar, a Moorish pavilion, dining terraces, a gym and spa and a marble swimming pool. In total, the estate boasts ten bedrooms and ten bathrooms to comfortably accommodate up to 20 people. With his actual wife Catherine Zeta-Jones and their children, they occupy the property for part of the year. The couple has been involved in the island's cultural life for many years, regularly hosting celebrities here.
Joseph Fiennes.
Do his name and face ring a bell? Settled in the north of Mallorca since 2009 with his family, charismatic British actor Joseph Fiennes - Ralph Fiennes' brother – is best known for his roles in blockbuster films such as Shakespeare in Love alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Stalingrad with co-star Jude Law, the epic Risen about the resurrection of Jesus-Christ, and lately, the Handmaid's Tale series. Regarded as the ‘go-to actor for English cultural history’, the award-winner’s new built luxury home will be on the outskirts of Palma.
Ruben Östlund.
In March 2023, Swedish director Ruben Ösltund was nominated for 3 Oscars: best Film, best director, and best original screenplay for his film Unfiltered (Triangle of Sadness). Although he did not win the coveted prize, the director established his international reputation. Involved in Mallorca's film scene, he opened the Mallorca International Film Festival and is keen to shoot his future films on the island. He has owned and been living in a villa in Campos, in the south of the island, for some time, often stating how much he loves Mallorca and spending quality time here with his family.
Temporary V.I.P celebs in Mallorca
Amber Heard
Highly publicised following her failed lawsuit against actor Johnny Depp in 2022, Amber Heard settled for a time in Mallorca, precisely in the rural village of Costitx, obviously making headlines in the tabloid press. She stayed there a while with her daughter in a luxurious villa built in 2020 in the city's historic centre and belonging to a wealthy and public Mallorquin family. The superb villa stands out among the older houses, with its modern, orthogonal lines and panoramic windows. The 479-square-metre property boasts an infinity pool overlooking the central plains of the island with the Tramontana mountains in the background and is equipped with every comfort and sophisticated electronic systems, including an indoor cinema with equipment from the exclusive firm ‘Bang & Olufsen’.<br>
Located in the centre of Mallorca only 38 km from the city of Palma and nearby the popular towns of Sencelles and Sineu, Costitx perfectly conserves aspects of former times, with most houses built in local stone and is a lovely peaceful place to buy a property. The town centre’s ancient buildings and sites, such as the Mare de Deu de Costitx church and the main square, are well preserved. The 5th to 2nd centuries B.C bronze bullheads found in Costitx’ Talayotic sanctuary of Son Corro, are still the identifying symbol of the village. It must be highlighted that Mallorca’s Astronomy Observatory is in this town since 1991, because of the low light intensity of the area which, during the night, enables to see the firmament stars very clearly. The observatory possesses Europe’s main collections of meteorites and is open to the public all year round.
Oprah Winfrey, on holiday in Mallorca (Courtesy of Menorca – Es diari)
The popular 69 years old presenter and journalist recently sailed in the waters of Sa Calobra aboard the superyacht Eos. Once again, Oprah Winfrey chose Mallorca as her holiday destination. After her stay in 2019 aboard the mega-yacht “Rising Sun", owned by film magnate David Geffen, this time she was invited aboard the “Eos” by her millionaire businessman friend, Barry Diller, creator of the famous Simpsons series. With just three days, their stay was brief, and although Oprah and her friends did not step ashore, they enjoyed the Mallorquin coast on the high seas. The yacht anchored a while in the waters of Sa Calobra where she had lunch and dinner on board, contemplating the scenery before setting their course back for the port of Barcelona.
