Out & About

24 Hours in Mallorca with Matthew Williamson

The renowned designer gives us his tips for a weekend well spent on the Spanish island.

24 Hours in Mallorca with Matthew Williamson

Matthew Williamson’s gloriously patterned dresses are ready-made for far-flung, sun-drenched destinations. Renowned for his peacock feather prints, dazzling colours and flowing summer gowns, it’s to little surprise that the lauded designer has set up a home-away-from-home on the Balearic Island of Mallorca. So we asked Matthew how he likes to spend a flying visit on this idyllic isle.

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alt textMatthew Williamson's Deià House, @MatthewWilliamson


Deià is a pretty village, nestled in the hills on the island's north-coast

Where I stay
I fell in love with Deià from the moment I first visited: it's charming, simple and relatively underdeveloped. My house is a labour of love and still coming together. The terraced garden was transformed for my mother’s 70th birthday dinner and now I’m working on ideas for the pool and a guest house.


alt textMr Plum, @MatthewWilliamson

The first thing I do when I get there
A walk up the hillside to an old, derelict monastery with my dog, Mr Plum.


Where I eat
Nama Restaurant, run by my friends Linus and Namali. Its modern Asian cuisine is truly delicious – from sushi to curries.


alt textNama Bar, @MatthewWilliamson

Where I drink
It has to be Nama Bar which opened last month. I designed the interiors which was a dream project for me. The space is made up of three main areas: the roof terrace, blue room and the cocktail bar area itself. Each space combines authentic Spanish vintage and modern pieces set against a backdrop of deep and intense colour and ornate wallpaper designs from my collections, featuring peacock feathers, flamingos and parrots.


Where I party
I’ve had some great nights at Sa Fonda – an unassuming bar with live music, twinkling lights and a crowd that parties late into the night.

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alt textDeià terrace, @MatthewWilliamson

What I start the day with
I love breakfast on my terrace: pastries bought in the village and a good coffee.


How I spend the morning
A trip to Valldemossa for a walk and coffee at the café Cappuccino.


alt textSon Mico, @MatthewWilliamson

For lunch
I love . It’s a gorgeous rural finch between Soller and Deià, set amongst the olive groves and overlooking the coast. All of the food is homemade by the owners. I love simple, fresh Mediterranean food and usually go for their daily special.


alt textJardines de Alfàbia, @MatthewWilliamson

In the afternoon
I discovered the Jardines de Alfàbia recently. They are about 30 minutes drive from Deià: tranquil botanical gardens with spectacular water fountains, palm-lined avenues and an impressive Baroque house at its heart.


For a shopping spree
For interior inspiration, I especially love the Sluiz and Rialto Living stores in Palma. Then the Santa Catalina area in the town is just fantastic for a wander – lots of boutiques and cafés.


alt textView From La Residencia, @MatthewWilliamson

Where I go for dinner
La Residencia is world-renowned and with good reason – it’s a very special place. We shot our most recent campaign there and gathered in the gardens after for cocktails as the sun dropped. Its restaurant, El Olivo, is very romantic with a live piano player and panoramic views across the coast.

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If you're a fan of Tom Hiddleston and the BBC's thrilling adaptation of John Le Carré's The Night Manager, then you may want to take a trip to Ca’s Patró March in Cala Deià – the cove-set fish restaurant where Hugh Laurie's evil arms dealer takes his entourage for dinner.

MatthewWilliamson.com