Smart Friends takes 40 agents to the beautiful Deià, Mallorca

On Friday 10th May 2019, Smart Group whisked away 40 UK agents from the events industry to the beautiful Deià, Mallorca for what truly felt like the weekend of a lifetime. This was the second annual trip of the Smart Friends agency incentive scheme following its launch last year in Ischia, Italy.

Bright, fresh and raring to go at 5am City Airport, Smart Group welcomed their guests with open arms, coffee, and their Smart leather-bound travel wallets containing all the information they needed for the weekend.

After a smooth flight, guests found themselves in the heart of the bustling city of Palma drinking rosé and eating delicious Iberico tapas to the sound of the local buskers gathered around the bar. Greg Lawson, CEO of Smart Group, arrived before our guests to greet each and every one of them at Iberico.

Once well-watered and relaxed, we scooped our guests onto a private train adorned with flowers in overhead lockers. Awaiting guests on the train was a tin of goodies containing a mini bottle of champagne, a champagne sipper, and a disposable camera to record the memories of their stay. Connecting Palma and the town of Sóller, the old wooden train was originally built to transport citrus fruit from the Sóller valley to the capital.

At 3:30pm, we arrived at the hotel, greeted in style with a glass of bubbly and the option to add your own orange juice, freshly squeezed by our Group Executive Chef David Ridgway. Guests were instantly blown away by the stunning Belmond La Residencia, with its freshly manicured gardens and hundreds of roses and wisteria climbing the walls. Deià, Mallorca, is the hidden gem of the island, set between the sublime Tramuntana Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Fascinating in its history, home to many artists, and boasting plenty of room to wander through sweet-scented citrus trees and ancient olive groves, guests were transported to a world of luxury within minutes. The afternoon gave guests the opportunity to relax by the pool, drinking sangria and getting to know one another, surrounded by the stunning imposing mountains of Deià.

That evening, guests met on the terrace before heading to Béns D’Avall, our Friday Gala Dinner location. The starter was exquisite… finely sliced Mallorcan tuna seasoned with citrus peel and salt from Es Trenc, served with an avocado and organic tomato tartar and a lime-basil sorbet. It might just be a dish that makes its way back to the kitchens of sunny Deptford and onto the Moving Venue menus.  Our guests were then served traditional Mallorcan suckling pig for main and Soller orange soufflé with cocoa sable for dessert. All we need to say is that the bar was set pretty high on the first night for culinary experiences. DJ Oli, one of Smart Group’s resident DJs, then took to the decks, and it wasn’t long before he was surrounded by guests who danced the night away.

After the most divine night’s sleep in the most beautiful bedrooms, guests woke up feeling fresh and ready for the day ahead. Those who were feeling energetic took the opportunity to run through the olive groves, hit the amazing gym, head down to the sea, or refresh in the pool. Breakfast at Belmond La Residencia did not disappoint, serving truly anything your heart desired; from Bloody Marys and champagne to eggs, Iberico ham, copious amounts of fresh fruit, eggs and even burgers (which only one guest managed to try).

After breakfast, we were whisked off to the Port de Sóller, where we boarded our yachts and sailed over to lunch. Recreating the infamous scenes from The Night Manager, guests cruised along the coast, drone overhead, before arriving at the famous waterfront restaurant Ca’s Patro.

We laced the restaurant in roses and vines to create the most perfect lunch setting, representative of scenes from the hit drama. Little personalised oyster shells placed on each table setting were a lovely souvenir for our guests to take home. After yet another stunning meal of freshly caught sea bass, homemade fish croquettes, chipirones, steamed mussels and LOTS of rosé, guests either walked back up to the hotel or hopped back in their taxis.

Saturday afternoon offered guests a much needed time for R&R, which naturally led to more rosé by the pool.

After a little ‘wine’ down and dress up time, guests met by the pool to be whisked up to El Mirador, a stunning viewing platform, to watch the sun go down. Here they were greeted by Angela Hartnett, Michelin star chef and Creative Director for Smart Group. Inundated with food yet again, with a leg of Iberico ham carved by David Ridgway, endless canapés and copious amounts of champagne, we chatted away with the sun drifting down in the background. Once the sun set, with guests wondering where we could possibly go next, we wandered down to El Olivo to be greeted with a Spanish fiesta for our Gala Dinner.

Colourfully decorated with a thousand flowers and candles, we created an incredibly unique table scape that would set it apart from the rest. A Spanish flamenco band playing in the background had our guests itching to dance right from the moment they sat down. After an incredible and intense 4-course meal, with the dance floor buzzing and the party well underway, Greg Lawson and Angela Hartnett wowed guests by making crêpe suzettes with flames roaring in the air! It truly was a night to remember.

On Sunday morning, guests enjoyed a delightfully lazy morning by the pool, much needed by all. Just when they thought things couldn’t get any better, we were led up into the olive groves to be greeted by donkeys and the most stunning picnic. Despite hangovers galore, the donkey picnic was a highlight for all. With hangover kits for everyone, as well as Spanish tapas, more music from DJ Oli, and yet more flowing rosé, spirits were high and somehow the olive groves lit up with laughter, dancing and music. What a way to end the best weekend ever.