At its own pace, relaxed, concerned about its environment, the youngest of the Balearic archipelago, continues its touristic development. Attracting more and more visitors sensitive to its preserved coasts, its countryside is interspersed with agricultural estates and an ever-expanding hotel offer. Be careful, some hotels in Menorca close in November to reopen in March, but book well in advance given the growing enthusiasm for the island. Five near-newborns tested from spring to fall.
Suites del Lago. an enclave for adults
Near the historic town of Ciutadella, in the heart of the hotel complex, the Lago resort offers four concepts: four-star, villas, bungalows and Les Suites del Lago opened last year. A different world with access to all resort amenities. Sober, mostly white decor, two restaurants, two bars, a large seawater pool with floating beds, private plunge pools for some rooms, a true five-star hotel with attentive service.
Majority : Cala Bosch beach in 1 minute on foot, Xoriguer in a quarter of an hour. Cocktails to die for, great breakfasts. And a very interesting semi-finished package.
The least. loud music in the morning. An evil that spreads across the hotel planet as fast as the plague.
Cost: From €125 with breakfast, from €175 for half board per person.
PRICES AND AVAILABILITY with BOOKING.COM
Lago Resort Menorca – Suites del Lago, Via Circunvalación, Cala’n Bosch, Ciudadela, 07740 Menorca. Such. +34 971 387 831.
Barceló Noura: Green DNA
The first running season, for this five-star design on the south coast, nine kilometers from the port of Mahon, the capital, near Punta Prima, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and many beautiful villages for hiking or cycling. Two approaches that, a priori, seem incompatible everything is included for clients who want it (the majority), with buffets that are a source of waste and a required eco-responsible position informed by the firm FG Arquitectes and decorators Mireia Vila and Miquel Pol. Use of local materials: natural stone, wood, Menorcan colors and designs, water recycling, especially from swimming pools, low consumption lighting, etc. The hotel has even teamed up with the Ria Menorca house, famous for its Menorcan sandals, to create shoes made from plastic collected on the beaches, which are sold in the store. Of course, both restaurants offer Menorcan, Locavore and gourmet cuisine.
Majority : relaxation, the key word, B-Heaven’s rooftop bar towards the sunset, the multiplication of pools, particularly semi-private, shared with a neighbor, available 45 of the 128 rooms that make up the Barcelo Nura.
The least. the fact that none of the many pools are adults only.
Cost: from €145, everything is included from €280 per person per day.
PRICES AND AVAILABILITY with BOOKING.COM
Barcelo Nura, Carrer des Roures, S/N Urbanizacion Biniancolla, 07740 Menorca. Such. +34 971 571 700.
Palladium Hotel, a renovated behemoth
Its massive silhouette is stunning on an island so concerned with architecture, but you have to step outside of its preconceived notions. Palladium, like new after a complete renovation, located on a hill, enjoys an exceptional panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea and the beach of Arenal Castel. Its large, very bright, comfortable rooms are suitable for a weekend getaway for two, as well as a week-long vacation with your tribe. Families with young children and teenagers appreciate formulas everything is included well together, the buffet restaurant and three bars with very different environments. If Mediterranean cuisine is not gourmet, it satisfies strong appetites.
Majority : its three swimming pools, one for adults, one for children and one for everyone, and a well-equipped gym.
The little ones. shows without much interest, but nothing obligates to attend and live music… Help!
Cost: from €120 with half board and €170 everything is included.
PRICES AND AVAILABILITY with BOOKING.COM
Palladium Hotel Menorca, Arenal d’en Castell, Via Jardín, 07740 Menorca. Such. + 34 971 35 80 88.
Christine Bedfor. garden in the harbor
Anchored in the heart of Port Mahon, this 21-room boutique hotel is exquisite with its Mediterranean garden, sun-drenched mini pool, warm textiles and comfortable lifestyle. Decorated by Cristina and her friend Lorenzo Castillo, each room has its own universe. The restaurant, created in collaboration with the team of Ses Forquilles, one of the famous Menorcan tables, offers shared, local, original dishes with an attention to table art that adds to the epicurean delights. The vegetable tomato gazpacho and his shrimp tartare were caught in Menorca, as was the Iberian pork leg with its velvety finish. piccolossmall sweet peppers satisfy the island and its flavor treasures.
Majority : Christina’s benevolent presence is always ready to advise her hosts and give addresses in all directions. The hotel is open almost all year round, except from January 2 to March 20.
The least. For those for whom the island means seeing the sea… It’s a horizon without the Mediterranean, but the waves are very close.
Cost: From €140.
PRICES AND AVAILABILITY with BOOKING.COM
Cristine Bedfor, Carrer de la Infanta, 17, 07702 Maó. Such. +34 971 635 502.
Faustino Gran, the green aristo
Two universes under one entity, labeled Relais & Châteaux. On the one hand, three 17th-century palaces, architectural splendours, in the historic district of Ciutadella, combining rooms, suites (some very small), restaurant and spa; on the other hand, a few minutes by car, a 15 ha pine forest, a country club by the sea, to enjoy nature and the beach. Ramon Barahona, a chef of Brazilian and Italian descent, offers a very individual cuisine that is truly popular at Restaurante Faustino.
Majority : Vegetarian lunch and dinner at Casa de Pau, the hotel’s organic vegetable garden, with freshly picked vegetables and fruits. The spa is located in a cave with a swimming pool, sauna, hammam.
The little ones. Especially the slightly remarkable decor of some of the rooms in the Faustino Palace, but above all the noise of the same palace, the noise of the street and even for some, including room 15, the noise of the kitchen. Hint. book at Cal Bisbe and Can Llorenç palaces.
Cost: From €170.
PRICES AND AVAILABILITY with BOOKING.COM
Faustino Gran Relais & Châteaux, Carrer de sa Muradeta, 22, 07760 Ciutadella. Such. +34 971 48 91 91.
Source: Le Figaro
