The Most Beautiful Hotels in Menorca

Adine Fichot-Marion

More secretive and better preserved than its neighbors Mallorca and Ibiza in the Balearic Islands, Menorca benefits from a mix of cultural influences (Arabic, Spanish, English, and French). Famous for its white sandy beaches, known as calas, and its rich architectural and archaeological heritage, it has become the go-to destination for travelers seeking slow tourism. Here’s a selection of our favorite hotels that embrace this lifestyle.

A favorite among Menorca hotels, part of the Vestige Collection. Overlooking 200 hectares of landscaped gardens, just 20 minutes from Ciutadella and a stone’s throw from one of the island’s most beautiful beaches, this 18th-century manor house and its outbuildings were inaugurated in June 2023. Skilled artisans, historians, and designers worked hard for three years to give Son Vell its unique charm. With 34 rooms and suites spread between the manor and its outbuildings, the decor preserves its original character: lime, clay, wood, exposed beams, period tiles, natural fabrics... The highlight? The Grand Suite with two bedrooms overlooking the Menorcan countryside, perfect for a girls' getaway, or the Junior Suite opening onto a large terrace with Balinese beds, ideal for a romantic weekend.

At Vermell (which means red in the Menorcan dialect), guests indulge in dishes inspired by the island’s cuisine with influences from mainland Spain, France, and Great Britain. At Sa Clarisa, surrounded by nature, the focus is on local specialties: shrimp croquettes, Spanish ham, gazpacho... We couldn’t resist the Menorcan hamburger with sobrassada, our guilty pleasure. The main activity? Relaxing by a dreamy spot: the oval pool, an 18th-century basin surrounded by gardens of white roses and lavender, before heading to Ciutadella to wander through its medieval streets. For the active types, horseback riding, cycling, yoga, and Pilates sessions are on offer.

Hidden gem of the place : An outdoor cinema.

Son Vell, Finca, Camí de Son March, Camí de Son Vell, s/n, 07769, Menorca. More information about this hotel.

This former 17th-century palace sits atop eight hectares of terraced gardens, all protected and planted with hundreds of orange, lemon, pistachio, and olive trees. The architecture of Santa Ponsa, a member of Domaines de Fontenille, proudly displaying 5 stars, masterfully blends Spanish style (large rattan chandeliers, cane furniture, cement tiles, zellige, engraved antique mirrors) and Moorish elements (domes, mashrabiya) with typical English touches, paying homage to the colonial past. Behind its red and white-trimmed facade, the decor, designed by Guillaume Foucher and Beryl Le Lasseur, showcases elegant sobriety by combining strong elements of the past with contemporary luxury. “The red thread we pulled is that of an imaginary journey from Europe to Asia, via the Middle East and Egypt,” explains Guillaume Foucher. Each of the 22 rooms and suites is unique, scattered across the main house, former barns, and buildings within the gardens, decorated in shades of green as a nod to the property’s greenery.

At Nura restaurant, indulge in reimagined Spanish cuisine where island produce takes center stage, especially from the hotel’s 5,000 m² vegetable garden. And guess what? There are even free-roaming peacocks in the gardens!

Hidden gem of the place : The spa housed in 18th-century cisterns. Featuring a swimming pool, aquatic course, hammam, sauna, and Nordic baths, followed by holistic treatments from Susanne Kaufmann.

Santa Ponsa, Finca Santa Ponsa, Carretera de Llucalari, 07730 Alaior, Balearic Islands, Spain. More information about this hotel.

© Yann Deret  et Caroline Hamelin

On the southern coast of Menorca, just steps from the pebbly Cala Llucalari beach, our favorites at Experimental Group have opened a hotel in a former 19th-century finca, nestled in a 30-hectare pine forest. Designed by Dorothée Meilichzon, the 34 rooms and 9 villas, each with a private pool, embody the island's spirit. The interior designer opts for a minimalist approach: lime-painted walls, dry-stone floors, wooden tables, colorful ceramics... all enhanced with hues evoking the Menorcan sky, from pale morning blues to the oranges of sunset…

The restaurant highlights the island’s culinary treasures, reinterpreted with a modern touch. The menu, crafted by Chef Alex Arrea, emphasizes fresh, seasonal products, many sourced directly from the hotel’s garden. Tapas lovers will adore the croquetas de jamón and pizzetta stracciatella. Here, the goal is to disconnect: no TVs, but plenty of yoga, pottery, and painting workshops. Days are spent by the main pool, followed by a visit to the spa offering Biologique Recherche treatments, and enjoying one of the signature Experimental cocktails.

Hidden gem of the place ? The chapel overlooking the sea, transformed into a luxury suite with a private pool: La Casa de Campo.

Menorca Experimental, Camí de Llucalari, 07730, Balearic Islands, Spain. More information about this hotel.

A 5-star gem from the Melia Group, part of Leading Hotels of the World, and one of the rare hotels in Menorca directly on the Mediterranean. Sunbathers will love this spot: between San Tomas Beach, famous for its turquoise waters, and the stunning pool at the heart of the hotel, the choice is tough! Inaugurated in July 2022, the two-story, whitewashed building houses 159 rooms and suites with a contemporary design. All rooms feature balconies or terraces, with some even offering private pools.

The hotel boasts three restaurants: S’Amarador, a replica of the Ciutadella institution where Chef Joan Canals showcases seafood and the catch of the day. At Nivi, grilled dishes and the famous paella take center stage, while at Cru, by the pool, guests enjoy Iberian ham or beef tartare. End the day with a visit to the spa, complete with hammam, sauna, and treatments by Anne Semonin in one of the three cabins, including a double. The hotel’s minimalist architecture highlights art and numerous initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint.

Hidden gem of the place: : The rooftop and its pool, the perfect spot to sip a cocktail while watching the sunset over the Mediterranean.

Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá, Urbanització Santa Tomás Playa, H2, 07749 Sant Tomás. More information about this hotel.

The second offering from Domaines de Fontenille, Torre Vella is an 18th-century Finca, member of Relais & Châteaux named after the nearby ancient watchtower overlooking the sea. Lovers of authenticity will adore this grand whitewashed estate, classified as a cultural heritage site, centered around a courtyard and surrounded by over 200 hectares of farmland on the southern coast. The minimalist decor gives the place a boho-chic feel. Every detail exudes elegance: large lime-washed spaces, raw materials, stone-cut staircases, dry-stone walls, white curtains, and marès stone (the traditional flooring in Menorca)... Even the pool’s clean lines follow this aesthetic. The 17 rooms and suites, scattered between the main farmhouse, former stables, and annexes, offer luxurious simplicity. All feature large terraces, with some offering private pools.

At the Siempreviva restaurant, set in the courtyard of the main house, guests can enjoy shared dishes: paella, baked fish, and barbecue. Every day, yoga and meditation sessions take place on rocky platforms overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and outdoor massage tables offer natural treatments crafted on-site.

Hidden gem of the place: the bar set up in the tower, perfect for sipping a detox juice or a cocktail at sunset.

Torre Vella,Cami Llucalari, Finca Torre Vella, 07730 Alaior Torre Vella. More information about this hotel.

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