Love it or loathe it, the UK’s steamiest reality TV show is back on our screens, and once again it’s taking place in a cosy bolt-hole in Mallorca. We take a look at the Love Island 2019 villa and what makes the Balearic Island so precious to homeowners

For the next eight weeks, the most talked about people on TV will be a group of good-looking, semi-naked youngsters holed up in a corner of the Mallorcan countryside.

For the third year running, a converted farmhouse near the town of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar in eastern Mallorca is being used as the setting for Love Island. The fifth series of the lusty show, which kicked off at the start of June, brings together a group of attractive young hopefuls, who must couple up with another contestant in order to avoid eviction. The show isn’t to everyone’s taste, but the swanky pad they get to share is worth a glance over.

The property is set on a hill and centres around a converted old farmhouse – typical for rural Mallorca. The interior of the main building has had a makeover since last year, but remains luxurious and loud – bright colours, neon signs and fairy lights all feature heavily. Outside, highlights include an infinity pool, hot tub, fire pit and outdoor kitchen, as well as a gym. Views look out over a landscape of rustic farmland with olive groves and orchards – plenty to encourage a bit of romance amongst the occupants.

A few minutes down the road is the villa that since 2017 has featured as the secondary property in Love Island. It’s called ‘Casa Amor’ and is no less impressive than the main farmhouse. What’s more, it has recently gone on the market for a cool €2.9million. With four bedrooms and in a similar stunning location, the villa was designed by an award-winning Mallorcan architect and is described as an outstanding work of art, even by some as the finest custom-built property on the island.

Premier second homes
It’s not by chance that the makers of Love Island picked Mallorca as the setting for their show. Just a two-hour flight from most major European cities, for a number of decades the island has enjoyed being a premier second home destination, popular with the wealthy boat-owners, and world’s rich and famous. At the same time, it has plenty of resorts and developments more suited to the average buyer’s budget – it’s just a case of picking the most suitable location.

According to a recent report by international property agents Knight Frank, prices across the Balearics have been rising since the final quarter of 2014. Although average prices have risen 23 per cent above their financial crisis low, they are still nine per cent below their peak in the second quarter of 2008. In the south west region of Mallorca, average prices rose eight per cent in 2018, with average values now close to €6,250/ square metre, whilst prime value are in excess of €10,000/ square metre.

The upmarket south-western corner of the island can be split into five distinct areas, namely from Bendinat at the east end to Portals, Son Vida, Santa Ponsa and Port Andratx in the west. In these areas, new-build properties with sea views generate strong demand, particularly those priced between €5million to €7million, according to Knight Frank.

Elsewhere, those wanting complete privacy and incredible scenery might opt for a villa hanging off the cliff on the seaward side of the Tramuntana mountains – these run the length of island’s north-west coastline and are home to the exclusive and picturesque spots of Deià, Port de Sóller and Valledemossa.

A more affordable new option in the south-west could be the Cala Vinyes Hills II townhouse development. Located in the prestigious Cala Vinyes area, close to Puerto Portals and Port Adriano, as well as the popular Santa Ponsa, Bendinat, Poniente and Son Vida golf courses. Prices there start from €619,700 (exc VAT).

Meanwhile, those with lower budgets in search of good value should target the south-east of the island. Prices are lower although typically there are fewer amenities.

Three key resorts on the east coast, each with a small marina, are Porto Cristo, Portocolom and Cala d’Or.

New-build options in the area include the Blue Cove development, located at Capdepera near Cala Agulla. Properties there include apartments, duplexes and townhouses, with prices from €181,000 (exc VAT). Or a few minutes’ drive south is Canyamel Pins, a development 400 metres from the beach and 600 metres from the golf course, where apartments start from €342,000 (exc VAT).

Looking at Mallorca’s holiday market, the island attracted more than 27.9 million arrivals in 2018, representing a 22 per cent rise compared with a decade ago. Considering the Balearic Islands as a whole, tourism was up by 15.93 per cent in February 2019, compared with the same month in 2018, according to the latest figures from IBESTAT.