The best family hotels on Menorca

For a guaranteed sunshine, safe-swimming, away-from-the-raucous-crowds family holiday, Menorca takes some beating. The second-largest of the Balearic Islands - and much less brash and party-themed than its cousins, Ibiza and Mallorca - it is also easily reached from many UK airports in a friendly two to three hours’ flying time. Use our guide to the best family hotels on Menorca and start to plan your holiday with the children.

Flickr user pasujoba

Beaches are a brochure-cliché - soft and white, or glistening and golden - while the seas all around the island are clear and safe, and ideal for active families who enjoy kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkelling. Many of the beaches are geared for these activities, with equipment to hire; some beaches, such as Santa Tomás beach, even have children’s playgrounds. There are also plenty of diving schools, too, if you fancy trying your hand at that.

Flickr user hugos007

And when your children tire of the beach, the island has a small zoo, as well as the Los Delfines Aquacenter water park.

As with any popular holiday island, it pays to book ahead if you want to be sure of getting your pick of Menorca's family friendly places to stay.

In a town

• With views over Mahon harbour and an easy stroll to the beach, Son Granot is a converted villa offering traditional-style rooms, many with balconies. The family-friendly hotel has a pool and will also arrange activities such as boat hire and horse-riding.
• In the oldest part of Mahon, Casa Alberti is a traditional guesthouse offering six, simple, no-frills but comfortable rooms - including a family apartment - and lovely breakfasts in the peaceful courtyard.

Family beach hotels

• Crisp and simple, Hostal La Palma offers excellent-value yet stylish rooms in the small fishing village of Fornells. Close to the beach and with kayaking, windsurfing, diving and sailing all on hand, this makes a great active-family choice.
• Surrounded by olive groves and gardens, yet close to the beach, Sant Joan de Binissaida is a converted farmhouse with airy rooms mixing contemporary furnishings with original features. With a pool and plenty of activities nearby, children will be happy; the Michelin-starred restaurant will appeal to foodie parents.

Rural family hotels

• With bright, fresh rooms - including seven self-catering villas - the agriturismo Biniatram has the best of both worlds; surrounded by countryside yet only a mile from the beach, and with a pool, too. It’s a place which oozes authentic charm.
• Also in the countryside yet only around a mile from the beach, Alcaufar Vell is a large, country mansion with 21 cool and airy rooms with terracotta-tiled floors and white-washed walls. Family-run, it offers a relaxed retreat plus a pool and outdoor dining under olive trees.
• Son Triay Nou is a simple agriturismo in the heart of Menorca. There’s a choice of rooms or apartments in simple, traditional style, plus a large pool.
• A former farmhouse in extensive grounds, Binigaus Vell offers15 large and airy, contemporary-country rooms plus a stunning freeform pool. This hotel will suit active families with bikes to borrow, walks from the front door, tennis courts plus horse-riding and sailing easily arranged.

Whether your family wants plenty of distracting activities or is happy playing on the beach, our guide to the best family hotels on Menorca has the best options. Still undecided? Check out all our Menorca recommendations, or contact a friendly guru for advice.

 

Written by Helen Pickles

posted Tuesday, 27th June 2017