The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort

For all they have to offer, luxury resorts are nothing if not formulaic. Start with a tropical location, then add spacious villas and the obligatory spa. Throw in world-class snorkeling and you're halfway there. It's a tempting blueprint. After all, there's nothing wrong with paradise. But don't you get the sense, as the resident yogi pulls his right ankle behind his left ear, that something's missing?

To be sure, The St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort offers the above in total abundance. It also has golf, tennis, and butler service. But more importantly, it has the crucial element that so often eludes its competition.

Culture.

Consider its proximity to the city of Palma - home to stunning cathedrals, cobble-stone streets, and more than half a million full-time residents. Consider the island's history, beginning with the Romans and evolving through subsequent waves of invasion. Then consider the on-site gallery, home to the island's largest collection of contemporary art.