Where to stay in Menorca: the back story

About Where to stay in Menorca: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Menorca Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Menorca has few big resorts and many beautiful small hotels. In Ciutadella, noble town houses have become intimate hotels. In the countryside, the old farm estates (llocs) and fincas have become rural hotels with their own restaurants, gardens and, often, vineyards. And on the south coast, Villa Le Blanc is, in Meliá’s words, “the first Gran Lujo hotel in Menorca”.

Ciutadella’s town houses

Faustino Gran occupies houses on Carrer de Sant Sebastià in the old town, and Can Sastre is on the Plaçeta del Roser, a few steps from the cathedral. Sant Ignasi, on the edge of town, is a country house with Smoix next door, and admits children from 14 (the hotels’ own websites).

The country estates

Torralbenc is, in its words, an old farm estate of 74 hectares between vineyards and fields, with its own winery. Along the Camí de Llucalari near Alaior you find Cap Menorca, Menorca Experimental and Fontenille’s two fincas, Santa Ponsa and Torre Vella; Santa Mariana grows much of what its restaurant serves.

Most of Menorca’s finest hotels are small: book early for July and August.

The coast

Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá stands on the beach at Santo Tomás and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. In the west, Lago Resort at Cala’n Bosch is home to two restaurants, Godai and MICAT. Vestige Son Vell, on a 180-hectare estate near Ciutadella, is an easy walk from its almost private cove, in the hotel’s words.

Maó

Cristine Bedfor is a boutique hotel on Carrer de la Infanta in Maó, with La Cocina de Cristine, led by the Menorcan chef Pau Sintes. Near Sant Lluís, Alcaufar Vell, Biniarroca and Vestige Son Ermità are rural hotels close to the east-coast coves.

Choosing a base

Ciutadella, in the west, suits the south-west coves; Maó and Sant Lluís, in the east, suit the harbour and the east-coast coves.

Our advice: split your stay between an old-town hotel in Ciutadella and a country estate inland.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Where to stay in Menorca: the back story before you go.