Being rich is awesome, but being royal is in a league of its own. It’s not just hard to grasp how deep their wells of wealth run, it’s nearly impossible to put it into words. But perspective strikes when you glimpse how they vacation. Case in point: the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who’s considered Mallorca, the Spanish island’s, dream client. The royal and his family, worth at least $325 billion (as per Bloomberg), have a long-standing tradition of visiting the Balearic Islands each year. As expected, they holiday with the flair and flamboyance of a royal with a staggering vacation budget of around $11 million, reports spanish daily El Pais.
That may sound excessive, but for the head of the Al Thani clan, spending $11 million is like someone with $100,000 parting with just $3.38. When you run the numbers, it’s not all that surprising that Sheikh Tamim spends the equivalent of ten thousand typical holidaymakers on a single trip to Mallorca.
His first wife, Sheikha Jawahe,r stayed at The Jumeirah Hotel in Sóller, Spain, during her first official trip, but the family including Sheikha Al-Anoud, Sheikha Noora, and their offspring, prefer the comforts of the Mardavall in Calvià.
Needless to say, the multi-million-dollar vacation came with an eye-watering $11 million price tag, with the hotel stay alone accounting for $6 million. It may be mind-boggling to most of us, but for the island, it’s a financial blessing. They could certainly use a few more guests like the 44-year-old second son of former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Emir, along with his three wives and thirteen children, enjoys a leisurely time in Spain, but you only begin to understand what “leisurely” means when you read on.
A private jet on beck and call-
Forget flying commercial, the Emir of Qatar doesn’t even fly in a Gulfstream. His transport of choice is a nearly $600 million Boeing 747. Designed to carry over 400 passengers, it has been reconfigured to suit royal tastes and comfortably accommodates the family of 20, including Sheikh Tamim’s extended relatives. This flying palace features ten bathrooms, several lounges spread over two floors, and a lavish bedroom suite, meeting every whim with seamless luxury.
Once they land, their earthly equivalent of this airborne palace is the Mardavall in Calvià. Accompanying the royal entourage are security personnel and at least a hundred suitcases. And if anything essential is forgotten? The plane flies straight back to Doha to correct the oversight.
One amusing detail shared by the publication, these suitcases aren’t stashed in corners or guest closets. The seemingly unending luggage gets stored in a small villa with a private pool, costing more than $6,500 a night.
A treadmill with its own suite
If reserving separate luxury quarters for suitcases surprised you, wait until you hear this. The fitness-conscious Emir spares no expense, renting a high-end treadmill for $550, ensuring his workouts are as luxurious as his lifestyle. Even his treadmill has an entire room dedicated to it, as one might expect. Of course, the Qatari ruler never breaks a sweat without his personal trainer by his side, and certainly not in the common gym.
Tips with royal generosity
Royals are expected to tip generously, and the Al Thani family, affluent to the core, never disappoints. Their personal hairdressers often receive tips in the triple digits. Their generosity is etched in the mind of a watchful, well-mannered pool attendant who, after completing a simple task of preparing the lounge chair where a member of the Qatari royal family rested, was rewarded with over 500 euros for his attentiveness.
A superyacht fit for the super-rich-
In addition to his ultra-opulent private jet, the Emir also brings along his $500 million megayacht, Al Lusail, a floating palace complete with a helipad, a fleet of toys and tenders, and everything needed for an adrenaline-charged island escape. In February 2025, the vessel was spotted at Palma de Mallorca’s exclusive Marina Port Vell, docked beside the late Steve Jobs’ famed Venus. Yet, even the tech titan’s iconic yacht appeared underwhelming next to this goliath. Whether used or not, Al Lusail racks up steep docking fees and maintenance costs during its weeks-long stay, an extravagant expense the Emir is only too happy to absorb.
The 404-foot yacht accommodates 18 guests in 36 cabins and features a movie theatre, swimming pool, beach club, spa, gym, and a barbecue area. Named after Qatar’s planned city of Lusail, it reportedly costs between $25 and $50 million annually just to operate.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim, isn’t the only Al Thani royal who enjoys basking in the European sun. Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, better known as HBJ and the former Prime Minister of Qatar, is a regular in Greece, drawn by its idyllic views and temperate weather. He often anchors his 437-foot, $300 million megayacht, Al Mirqab, off the coast of stunning Skiathos, where the island basks in a balmy 80 degrees. It seems the royal’s European escapes are less of a getaway and more a dazzling display of royal indulgence.
