Like its much-loved sister islands Ibiza, Formentara and Menorca, you might think you've got Mallorca sussed, but there's more to this Balearic Island outpost than meets the eye. You & Your Wedding's Alice Burnfield goes on the trail of where's cool to stay, the best place for a romantic hilltop picnic and how to travel in style by vintage locomotive...

Image: La Residencia hotel, Mallorca

With its picture-perfect location in Deia on the laid-back Mediterranean coast, La Residencia is the perfect romantic bolthole.

Converted from three Mallorcan manor houses dating back to the 14th century, the set up also supports a permanent sculpture garden and art gallery that echos the village’s bohemian roots – the likes of war poet Robert Graves and A-listers Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones have all lived there.

La Recidencia is a magic mix of old-school rustic charm and pure luxury. There are four on-site restaurants to tempt you, as well as an excellent spa and gym facility. The sizeable outdoor pool takes the towering Serra de Tramuntana mountain range as its backdrop. Take an early morning dip for an unforgettable way to wake up.

If you’re inspired by Deia’s beauty and artistic culture, while away an afternoon on a village art tour, taking in visits to the studios of some of the brilliant local artists. They'll be more than happy to give you a lesson in painting if you want to have a go. Or, have a look around the Robert Graves Museum just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel. The British author’s former home has been brought back to its heyday and is a wonderfully tranquil place to soak up his literary life on the island.

Another way to explore the surrounding area and do something a little more off the beaten track, is on a donkey picnic trek (arranged through the hotel). A 30-minute walk through the pretty fruit groves and craggy outcrops behind La Residencia lead to a secluded hilltop clearing where the feast of a picnic awaits. From fragrant tomato bread and sweet pastries to local herb liqueur, you’ll be able to sample seasonal delicacies aplenty. Our only tip: make sure you skip breakfast!

For something a little more adventurous (and motorised!), hire out a couple of La Residencia's Vespa scooters and pack your picnic off to somewhere else on the island.

If you can bear to tear yourself away from Deia, take a trip to Palma, Mallorca’s historic capital. Keep the romantic vibe on track by booking your ticket on the Ferrocarril Train. This vintage locomotive takes you from the bustling market town of Soller (just 10 minutes drive from the hotel) to Palma past olive and fruit groves and through the tunnels of the Serra de Tramuntana. Once in Palma, head straight to the Plaza Olivar food market in the centre of town to pick up local Mallorcan fare for the trip back.

From fine dining at El Olivio, known as the jewel of Mallorca, to dinner under the stars on the Son Moragues terrace, these La Residencia eateries offer dining options for every mood. There are plenty of places to eat in Deia too – Jaume restaurant is a particular favourite for its traditional Mallorcan dishes with a modern twist and its intimate atmosphere.

La Residencia Spa offers an extensive range of therapies to help you relax and unwind, including our fave, the Citrus Siesta treatment. Using all natural Mallorcan ingredients, an invigorating olive oil scrub is followed by a soothing Zen massage (with citrus-infused essential oils from the surrounding fruit groves), to leave you with the feeling you’re walking on air and smelling divine too.

Each light, airy room is beautifully decorated in the style of an old manor house. Exposed wooden beams, shuttered windows and antique Mallorcan furniture, as well as freshly filled vases of flowers and fruit bowls add a sweet, homely touch. The tower, located in the oldest part of the hotel, is great for honeymooners. Accessed by a private spiral staircase, it's split over two floors with a private roof terrace offering up outstanding panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.

From pre-dinner classical music concerts in the former olive press, to the intimate spaces peppered around the grounds that are perfect to steal away a quiet moment with your beau, this luxe couple's crash-pad is bound to leave you with a feeling of total blissed-out newlywed relaxation.

A classic room at La Residencia from about £219 per room per night*; the Tower Suite at La Residencia starts from about £624 per room per night*, both including tax and daily buffet breakfast.

All featured trips can be arranged through La Residencia while on your stay. For further information or to make a booking, please visit hotel-laresidencia.com or call Orient-Express on 0845 077 2222.

Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, operates year-round flights to Mallorca from London Gatwick and Manchester and flights during the summer season from Birmingham and London Luton airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £38.99 one way (£61.50 return).

*Based on two people sharing in December 2011.