In Campanet, there is opposition from the Més-led town hall to the conversion of the historic Gabelli Gran property into a hotel. There is a licence for this conversion, but it raises a question as to how buildings of heritage significance should be preserved. Més argue in favour of public ownership and public uses, but in terms of tourism, there can be advantages to local economies which have never gained greatly from Mallorca's tourism.
Hotel conversion is, however, against the background of the debate about tourist overcrowding, regardless of location. In Consell, a municipality with little hotel accommodation but with a number of holiday rental properties, the proposed conversion of the 16th-century Son Fiol estate has to be considered from both sides of the argument.
The mayor of Consell, Andreu Isern, explains that there was a two-year process before a licence for conversion was approved. "Son Fiol includes listed elements and had to be authorised by the Council of Mallorca's heritage department." The licence is for 20 rooms and 25 bathrooms.
An estate agency specialising in luxury properties listed Son Fiol for sale in November last year. The price was five million euros. It is now "negotiable". The agency states: "The existing hotel licence includes permission to expand the current pool, making this estate an extraordinary investment opportunity to create an exclusive rural retreat that combines heritage, authenticity and modern luxury." There is a plan for Son Fiol to become a hotel and country club with a focus on sustainability.
The land, meanwhile, is said to be ideal for the planting of vineyards. Although Son Fiol has historically been used for almond and carob cultivation, it is, by virtue of being in Consell, within the Binissalem DO region.