The Piñero hotel group, founded in 1970, is based in Palma's El Terreno district. Under its stakeholder relationship policy, it states its mission is to build relationships based on, inter alia, respect for the communities affected by the company's various activities.
The Barrio Terreno Hotel is an example of community relationship building. For some weeks, a huge sign in the form of a letter addressed to local residents has been on display. This concludes: "We don't want to be another hotel. We want to be part of El Terreno." The hotel's director, Nabil Aguilera, has said it will be a place "with content and soul with a continuous dialogue with the community".
The hotel will open in May. Piñero's first urban hotel, it will occupy a listed building that had fallen into a state of abandonment. And it is in the place, El Terreno, where the company grew up. Lydia Piñero, head of asset management, says: "We wanted to take our time to do something special; we want to do it right."
It will be open all year round, Lydia Piñero explaining that the central idea has always been to include elements for the enjoyment of local residents. There are spaces such as a gym for local residents and a concert room. Soundproofed, it will host jazz and flamenco concerts. Adapting the hall to avoid disturbing the neighbours has been a priority. This aim of harmonious integration with the neighbourhood will also be reflected in other ways, such as an open-air cinema with audio only available with headphones.
"We want to integrate into the neighbourhood and move away from the boutique hotel concept. We want to create that community for the neighbourhood, and we know that's a very ambitious goal." Lydia Piñero acknowledges that, given the current debate about tourist saturation and gentrification, they may encounter opposition. "There will always be some who disagree, but in general they are happy that an abandoned building is being transformed into something beautiful."