Cal Reiet - Our Favourite Retreat Hotel In Mallorca
We had spent countless weekends exploring Mallorca’s east coast beaches and the town of Santanyi. Every visit would result in the hour long drive back towards Palma dreaming of someday owning our own piece of land on the lesser developed east coast. Life moves a little slower there and you are surrounded by the most remarkable beaches and serene countryside.
The founders of Cal Reiet were able to do just that in 2012 when they discovered the property and eventually created their retreat hotel. In 2022 we were lucky enough to spend some time at Cal Reiet and meet the owners, Petra and Henning, and some of their amazing team.
Cal Reiet is the type of establishment that encapsulates everything we love working on at The Mallorcan. Namely, the discovery of authentic places and experiences with a story to tell. Cal Reiet is so much more than simply a place to stay. It’s a mission-driven space with an amazing back story that not only creates a memorable physical experience on your visit to Mallorca but also helps its guest discover the possibilities of holistic healing in a transformative environment.
Cal Reiet FAQ
Address: Carrer de Cal Reiet, 80, 07650 Santanyí, Illes Balears, Spain
Description: Cal Reiet is the leading boutique retreat in Mallorca for yoga retreats.
Owners: Petra Bensland and Henning Bensland
Highlights: Retreats, yoga classes, treatments, plant-based restaurant, pool, free parking.
Interview with Petra Bensland, Owner of Cal Reiet
Hello Petra! Tell us little about yourself.
I am a proud mother of three adults living in Zurich. For over ten years I am on the yoga path and living a conscious and sustainable life has become the centre of my expression.
In 2012, my Swedish husband Henning and I decided to find a property in Europe where we could share our interest in yoga and holistic health practices focused on the body and mind.
It’s been a great journey to develop our holistic retreat and to see what it has become. When we bought Cal Reiet in Santanyi we have never though it will be such a magic place to share the lifestyle we stand for.
Were you in the hospitality business before? If not, what did you do?
No, I’ve never been involved in the hospitality business before. I was a radio journalist in Switzerland. Only through yoga I truly understood the pleasure of serving people, something that I never had when doing journalism.
What inspired the opening of Cal Reiet? Take us through the early days. What was that like?
The inspiration came by Henning's diagnosis with a chronic illness. In the recovery process we wanted to share what we have learned with holistic healing. We bought the house in 2012 and it took some years to rebuild, reconstruct, redesign and bring the idea to life. We were able to open the doors in 2016. It was a very fun and exciting process.
How do you describe Cal Reiet to a stranger you’re meeting for the first time?
Cal Reiet is a holistic retreat where we share wonderful plant-based food, well-being practices, the beauty of nature, and the magic of the gardens, house and surroundings. The result of all these things together, is what we want to give to others.
Why Santanyi? What makes it such a special place?
The vibrant little village of Santanyi is located on the Mediterranean. It is in the middle of a nice town full of things to visit, with many cosy shops and plenty of culture to discover. Also, its nearby to the best beaches with clear waters and white sand. The airport and Palma city are not far away from us, that makes it easy to reach.
What’s the best part of owning/managing a hotel? The worst part?
The best part is closely related to freedom. Having full freedom to make decisions allows us to shape the ideas that we and the team formulate together. When we bring an idea together, it is stronger. The worst part has to do with the responsibility that comes with it. Sometimes it can be hard not to escape from this commitment. Although it is a way of life that we enjoy, we must be aware that every decision leads to a result and this does not always have to be the right one.
What are you most excited about right now with Cal Reiet?
We will redecorate Cal Reiet over the winter. The new interior will better symbolise our focus on being rooted, centred and living a simple and natural life.
What’s the most unusual/bizarre request you’ve gotten from a guest?
The most unusual has been a guest who wanted to have English sausages for breakfast. We had to remind the guest that they have booked a holistic plant based place. We solved the problem by allowing him to buy them and to keep them in our fridge.
When you next have time off, where will you be?
Henning and I are going soon to Sri Lanka for an Ayurvedic Panchakarma. We are really looking forward to this experience.
What do you think the future holds for Cal Reiet and also Mallorca?
I think Cal Reiet will always be a magical place. As long as our family owns it, we will share a holistic lifestyle with our guests. Mallorca is one of the most beautiful and diverse islands in Europe and it will continue in the direction of sustainability and a natural way of living.
