La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca, unveils renovation of Villa Robert Graves by Studio Ashby

Internationally acclaimed interior design firm, Studio Ashby embraces the artful spirit of La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca in the renovation of the historic Villa Robert Graves, launching April 2025. Located in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site hamlet of Deià, the newly renovated six-person villa offers guests total seclusion and intimacy just a five-minute stroll from the hotel, where guests can enjoy all services and amenities. A true artist’s residence, the villa is named after celebrated British poet Robert Graves, whose writing often centred around the beauty of Deià, a place he called home for 50 years. 

THE REBIRTH OF VILLA ROBERT GRAVES, A CELEBRATION OF LOCAL ART AND CRAFTSMANSHIP 

Renowned for her soulful and eclectic style, Studio Ashby Founder Sophie Ashby embraces the local vernacular throughout her design, interweaving the surrounding art and natural beauty into her work. Villa Robert Graves embodies this approach, undergoing a gentle renovation centred on thoughtfully elevating the existing interiors, whilst infusing the space with a renewed sense of spirit and vitality 

Ashby believes art is the soul of her projects and for this renovation, she hand-selected unique antique pieces inherited from the estate alongside exquisite Spanish artifacts, enlisting local craftspeople to incorporate elements such as Mallorcan linen drapery, blown glass lamps, and other artisanal pieces. Adorning the entire Villa is a selection of La Residencia's esteemed art collection, curated by the Sheridan family since the hotel’s opening in 1984, with works by local talent and characterful ceramics, honouring Belmond’s continued commitment to local crafts. 

Interior Designer Sophie Ashby comments: “When I visited the hotel, one of the things I was really struck by was the varied, eclectic, and expressive art collection. We enjoyed collaborating with the hotel’s trusted art consultant Cecile Sheridan selecting artworks that had a natural synergy with our design. Most of the pieces are an ode to Mallorca and its landscape, adding an edge to the design with their dynamic colour and patterns.”  

Another tenet of Ashby’s design philosophy is the seamless integration of indoor-outdoor living, a concept effortlessly embodied in the villa which offers unparalleled views of the UNESCO World Heritage Tramuntana mountains, across its three floors. The villa’s interiors mirror these majestic surroundings through the use of +34 oak, green stained timber, and porcelain terracotta, contrasted with forged iron and bronze ceiling pendants. At the heart of Ashby’s work is the art of layering, instilling a medley of strong shapes, vibrant patterns, expressive rugs, characterful antiques and plants across the décor, to make the space come alive.  

AN ARTISTIC MOUNTAINSIDE ENCLAVE, designed for families and FRIENDS 

The Villa acts as a serene artistic sanctuary, offering a home away from home. The ground floor boasts a fully equipped kitchen, living room, bar, outdoor terrace, and an eight-person dining area, home to a striking mural created by local artist Jorge Estevez Valencia. This mural is inspired by a line from Graves' poem ‘The Climate of Thought’ which reads “That greens the valley and that parts the lips; The sun, simple, like a country neighbour; The moon, grand, not fanciful with clouds”, encapsulating the essence of the villa’s tranquil, nature-inspired atmosphere.

Across the first floor is the master bedroom complete with dressing room, bathroom, and powder room, whilst the lower ground hosts another two bedrooms, a bathroom, and shower room. Ashby's décor naturally flows into the outdoor where guests can linger on the private terrace or by the pool, nap under the sails of the day bed, or make use of the outdoor bar and kitchen for a BBQ lunch. In the kitchen, the banquette offers a moment for casual dining, whilst the spacious terraces, on the ground and lower ground floors, offer abundant seating for alfresco dining, allowing guests to fully embrace Mediterranean lifestyle. 

“We visited La Residencia when our daughter Gaia, was only a few months old. It was the perfect spot to enjoy Deià as a family, take in the epic views and do it all with our precious, tiny baby in a buggy - who mostly slept through it all”, comments Sophie Ashby. 

Villa Robert Graves’ three double bedrooms have been designed with flexibility and comfort in mind. Catering to both groups of friends and families, two of the bedrooms can be reconfigured from double to twin rooms whilst the dressing room can also serve as a nursery.  

AUTHENTIC MALLORCAN ADVENTURES 

As part of the enchanting Deià hamlet, Villa Robert Graves offers the same unparalleled location and views as the hotel, with unlimited access to its facilities. Guests can enjoy treatments at the award-winning Spa, private tennis lessons amidst a stunning backdrop of the mountains and explore the spectacular scenery on a guided walk or by bike. Dining options vary from morning to night with candlelight dinners at El Olivo restaurant, leisurely lunches at Restaurante Miró where 33 original Joan Miró paintings reside, and relaxed dishes around the pool at the Tramuntana Grill. 

Further afield, the hotel has curated a programme of complementary authentic Mallorcan adventures. These include daily sunset boat rides along the Mallorcan coast for up to 10 people, creative workshops under the guidance of the hotel’s “Artists in Residencia”, and unforgettable cycling excursions in the local mountain ranges facilitated by the collaboration with cycling brand Bianchi.

Villa Robert Graves offers a unique retreat for La Residencia’s discerning travellers seeking a serene, art-infused escape. With a deep respect for the island’s heritage and a keen eye for design, the restyling creates a space that is both timeless and contemporary—a true reflection of the soul of Mallorca. 

Discover La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel: Here.

Discover the renderings of the Villa Here.