The SL Guide To Menorca
Where To Stay
Menorca Experimental
For Cool Interiors
The talented team behind the Experimental Group are responsible for this opening in a 19th-century finca. Surrounded by over 70 acres of land, there are nine villas and 43 rooms with art-deco interiors and beach views. Rooms are spacious, with fun pops of colour and matching en-suites. There’s a spa which offers Biologique Recherche treatments and a restaurant which non-residents can visit for dinner and drinks. The hotel can also help book activities like boat tours, Jeep safaris, horse riding, kayaking and snorkelling in the caves.
Visit MenorcaExperimental.com
Santa Ponsa Fontenille
For A Rural Retreat
If you like the idea of going off grid, this 17th-century palace hides within 250 acres of land. You could easily spend a couple of days exploring the grounds and venturing to Alaior, the nearby town. The main red building has 22 rooms filled with rattan furniture and wooden beams, indoor plants and botanical art. Excellent facilities mean you barely need to leave the hotel – there’s an infinity pool and a beautiful spa built into cave walls with a heated pool in the old cistern. You’ll also find a small gym on site and bikes which you can hire to explore the grounds. During the summer, the hot spot is Nura, where guests enjoy candlelit dinners under the stars.
Faustino Gran
For A City Break
If you want to soak up the buzz of Ciutadella, Faustino Gran is set in a 16th-century merchant’s palace in the city’s historic centre. Blending nicely with the medieval architecture, the whitewashed building is surrounded by lush gardens that conceal three pools spread across the country club, main building and two nearby annexes. Rooms are simple yet elegant – those at the Cal Bisbe and Can Llorenç annexe have more of an island feel – and there’s a subterranean spa built into the rocks. The restaurant has a romantic feel in the evening with twinkling lights and sharing Mediterranean dishes. Guests can also book day trips in one of the hotel’s private boats.
Visit FaustinoGran.com
Hotel Torralbenc
For Total Luxury
Hotel Torralbenc was the island’s first boutique hotel and has built up a loyal clientele since opening a decade ago. Within the scenic Torralbenc vineyard, it has real Menorcan charm with its white-washed farm buildings dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries. Rooms are light and fresh, with wooden beams and minimalist interiors – some have views overlooking the vineyard, others have private plunge pools. Guests can relax by the hotel pool which overlooks the sea, and enjoy traditional Menorcan cuisine in the restaurant dining room or on the pergola. Explore the island using the hotel’s bikes and visit the nearby cliff-side caves at Cova d’en Xoroi.
Visit Torralbenc.com
Torre Vella Fontenille
For A Romantic Trip
Complete with a beautiful vineyard and expansive gardens, this hotel was made for romantic trips. Spread across two traditional Menorcan farmhouses, the hotel has 17 rooms with immaculate Balearic décor that blends into the beautiful backdrop – think natural colours, tall ceilings with wooden beams, and woven accessories. Couples can relax by the infinity pool or take part in activities like sunrise yoga classes, stargazing and communal barbecues. Mediterranean dishes are served all day, while breakfast is a generous affair made with local produce. Boat tours, horseback riding and private dinners under the stars complete the luxury offering.
Jardi de Ses Bruixes
For An Affordable Stay
For an affordable weekend in the sun, this hotel fits the bill. Just a short walk from Mahon’s port, a 19th-century Menorcan townhouse has been turned into a boutique hotel with 16 rooms spread across the main building and adjoining annex. Rooms have a homely feel with colourful soft furnishings, while a spacious underground spa has a range of facilities you’d expect from somewhere far bigger, including a whirlpool tub, sauna and therapy pool. Breakfast is served until midday in the riad-style courtyard, and guests can order Menorcan and Asian-inspired dishes throughout the day.
Visit HotelSesBruixes.com
Where to Eat & Drink
Nonna Bazaar
For Farm-To-Table Dining
Nonna Bazaar is one of Menorca’s hottest newcomers. It’s a lifestyle and restaurant concept by hotelier Arnaud Zannier, set within a historic finca on a 1,000-acre working farm. Nonna Bazaar celebrates farm-to-table dining as well as offering a supervised kids club, fashion boutique and farm shop. Based on the Menorcan tradition of long family meals, guests can enjoy all-day dining under the shaded terrace, surrounded by Aleppo pines and a herb garden. Both rustic and chic, the old finca has been carefully restored, while the menu showcases local produce with dishes like cochinillo asado, paella valenciana, linguine vongole and shakshuka. Zingy salads, fresh carpaccios and the catch of the day are served with homemade breads and pizzas from the wood-fired oven.
Visit NonnaBazaar.com
Binifadet
For Great Wine
This family run restaurant and vineyard is a great choice for long lunches in the sunshine or sunset dinners. Book a table outdoors near the vines for the best views, and order sharing plates of pasta with grilled vegetables, paella, grilled meats and small dishes like pots of mussels, ham croquettes and stuffed aubergines. There’s a separate ‘Marriage Menu’ comprising seven dishes to showcase seasonal produce, plus a group menu for larger bookings. You can also book tours of the vineyard and buy a selection of wines to take home.
Visit Binifadet.com
Mon Restaurant I Fonda
For Fine Dining
Headed up by chef Felip Lluifriu, this restaurant is all about elegant fine dining. Housed in a boutique hotel, expect delicious, inventive dishes – the menu changes frequently so there’s always something new on offer.
Visit MonRestaurantFonda.com
LAURA MAZZELLO
Pan Y Vino
For Relaxed Dinners
On a small country finca, Pan Y Vino is all about traditional Menorcan and French-inspired dishes. Expect to sample the likes of aubergine and tomato crumble with sea bream; duck legs with orange and rosemary; and strawberry, coconut and passion fruit soup. There’s also a great selection of low-intervention wines and interesting cocktails.
Visit PanYVinoMenorca.com
Cova d’en Xoroi
For Incredible Views
For one of the best views of the island, Cova d’en Xoroi is perched on a dramatic clifftop overlooking the Med. Grab a table before sunset to take in the spectacular views with carafes of wine or cocktails. DJs and musicians set the vibe during the summer, with parties continuing into the early hours.
Visit CovaDEnXoroi.com
Isabella Beach Club
For Sundowners
Arrive for seafood pasta and drinks in the afternoon, and stay for a sundowner at this cool beach club. It’s set right on the rocks with great sea views so guests can cool off in the water before relaxing on a day bed. There’s always a buzzy vibe but it still feels relaxed.
Visit IsabellaMenorca.com
NICONTENTS/UNSPLASH
What To See & Do
Ciutadella
Ciutadella on the west coast of the island is steeped in history. Known as Vella i Bella (‘old and beautiful’), the city was rebuilt in the 17th and 18th century, and many of those buildings are intact, dotted in between modern restaurants and boutiques. Visit the 14th-century cathedral and weave your way around the galleries before popping into the shops and having a drink at one of the bars or cafés.
Menorca Biosphere Reserve
Menorca was recognised as a biosphere reserve by Unesco in 1993, meaning its nature reserves have been able to flourish, free from restricted development and construction. The beautiful, unspoilt views set the island apart from its Balearic neighbours.
Cami De Cavalls
This walking trail is a scenic route around the island. The ancient path is 185km long and follows the coast, with plenty of outstanding views. You can pick up different parts of the trail easily and there are lots of good online recommendations, depending on the intensity of walk you’re after and what you want to see.
Hauser & Wirth
Hauser & Wirth recently opened an outpost on Illa del Rei, an island in Mahon Harbour. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and sea views, the gallery hosts regular exhibitions and events, showcasing contemporary artists from around the world.
Eduardo Chillida, ‘Elogio del Vacío VI’ (2000) ©Zabalaga Leku. San Sebastián, VEGAP, 2023. Courtesy of the Estate of Eduardo Chillida and Hauser & Wirth
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