Best beach hotels on Menorca

The seas and beaches around Menorca are brochure-perfect: clear, blue water - in some places reminiscent of the Caribbean - and sands that are either golden and glistening, or powder-soft and white. And, as an island that has been encouraging sustainable tourism long before it became fashionable, many of the beaches are truly unspoilt. So, finding one of the best beach hotels on Menorca is not hard to do.

Flickr user Carlos Garcia

Es Grau beach, on the east coast, is safe and shallow and a good choice for snorkelling, paddle-boarding and kayaking. It’s also close to the S’Albufera des Grau nature reserve, a wetland area around a lake. Santo Tomás beach, a white-sand beach behind dunes, is particularly popular with families as it offers a playground as well as pedalos.

Flickr user Nicolas Vigier

Banyul and Bellavista bays are where you’ll find local families at weekends while, for quieter beaches, try the north coast such as Pregonda near Es Mercedal. This long beach, flanked by pink rocks and dunes, takes a bit of effort to reach but you’ll be rewarded by clear, calm seas protected by the offshore islands. Another calm beach is Cala Macarella, near Alaior, on the south-west coast, a pretty cove of powder-soft, white sand backed by pine tree-clad hills.

Flickr user David H-C

As Menorca is generally overlooked by those looking for nightlife and music, the beaches on the island are quieter and less crowded than the other Balearic Islands. Our choice of Menorca’s best beach hotels ensures you a relaxed holiday.

Best value 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.
• With views over Mahon harbour and an easy stroll to the beach, Son Granot is a converted villa offering traditional-style rooms, some with four-poster beds, and many with balconies.
• Also overlooking Mahon harbour, Barcelo Hamilton Menorca is a bright and modern, adults-only haven, with a small spa and hot-tubs as well as outdoor pools in case the stroll to the beach becomes too much.
• 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.

Best mid-range beach hotels

• Off-the-beaten-track yet only a six-minute-walk from beaches, Finca Atalis is a peaceful, adults-only retreat in a former farmhouse. Rooms are light and contemporary and there’s a shared terrace plus pool.
• In the heart of Ciutadella, and walking distance to beaches, Hotel Tres Sants offers contemporary styling in a traditional building: tiled floors, vaulted ceilings, floaty muslins. There’s a rooftop terrace with stunning views, too.
• A 20-minute walk from the beach, Alcaufar Vell is a large, country mansion with 21 cool and airy rooms with terracotta-tiled floors and white-washed walls. Dine under olive trees on local produce, much grown on the estate.
• Also around 20 minutes from the beach, the agriturismo Biniatram offers both rooms and self-catering villas. With tiled floors and open-raftered ceilings, it provides plenty of authentic charm, as well as a lovely pool.

For a simple beach holiday with guaranteed sunshine and safe, clear seas, choose one of our pick of the best beach hotels on Menorca. Still undecided? Widen the net and check out all our Menorca recommendations or contact a friendly guru for advice.

 

Written by Helen Pickles

posted Tuesday, 27th June 2017