Menorca, anyone been???

[jollymollie]

Hi, I've just found very cheap flights to menorca at the end of august and have booked these. Couldn't not at a bargain price of £330 for the four of us. We've never been here before and wondered if anyone could recommend a good resort. We are going self catering so need to be near lots of places to eat and would prefer somewhere a bit lively with a lovely beach but not tacky. I'd be really grateful if anyone could help, not bothered about transfer time but need the right resort, my dc's are 6 and 9. Thanks

anyone this morning been?

I would personally avoid Cala Blanca area unless you want a very quiet holiday surrounded by rock Very limited in shops and bars, which made for a very boring holiday.
My sister recommended it, she obviously enjoys her own company unlike me!

Not much help, but put it on your avoid list

thanks for the tip, cheeky. That DEFINATELY does not sound like our perfect holiday. I''ve read a few recommendations of cala n'bosch. Does anyone know what this resort is like? I know menorca is generally quiet so we are looking for the liveliest part

Cala'n Bosch is probably the liveliest resort, it has a decent beach, marina, lots of bars and restaurants, water park, crazy golf etc.

I don't like it, but I prefer the quieter places, of which Menorca has plenty.

Arenal d'en Castell (North Coast) is fairly lively and much prettier than Cala'n Bosch (think idyllic horseshoe bay, with the resort set above it - very nice).
Cala Galdana (South) is similarly pretty but still with plenty to do on an evening.

Son Bou (South coast) has the best beach on the Island, like something you see in the Caribbean, and a decent resort centre with a bowling alley, numerous bars and so on.

Make sure you get out and about though, Mahon and Ciutadella are well worth a visit and some of the virgin beaches are to die for.

thanks. I'm in a quandry now. i'd pretty much settled on Cala'n Bosch but now i'm not so sure. I'd also been looking at Cala Galdana but was a little bit worried it would be too quiet for us. As we are going self catering a good variety of restaurants is a must. I love eating out overlooking the sea so somewhere that has plenty of restaurants near the beach would be great. I hadn't looked too much at Arenal d'en Castell, is it very hilly as we would prefer somewhere relatively flat. Sorry for so many questions but we really want to get it right as we probably won't be able to afford another holiday for a very long time!

Son Bou is flat and although not buzzing with 18-21 nightlife, there is plenty for a family to do - the Club Saint Jaime complex seems very popular, pools, waterslides, entertainment and so on.

Arenal has loads of restaurants and bars overlooking the bay, but it is a bit of a hike from the beach up to the resort. Pretty though.

I've not stayed in Cala Galdana and know it only by reputation, people seem to go back year after year.

Cala'n Bosch similarly, the people who love it, really love it, so it must have something going for it.

Hiya

I lived in Menorca back in 2003, and absolutely loved it (living there but not the working part )

I'm also looking to go back for our summer holiday this year, either just with OH & DS or with a group of friends we went away with last year.

The resorts I am looking into are Cala n' Bosch, Son Bou and Cala n' Porter.

I only went to Cala n'Bosch a couple of times (as I lived on the other side of the island) but I really liked it, and the little marina was so pretty with quite a good selection of bars and restaurants. The beach was ok, but wasn't as nice as Son Bou or CnP. There is a little waterpark here, which would probably be suitable for your DC's. This is a flat resort as well.

Son Bou has the best beach by far and I used to go there all the time on my days off. There are a few restaurants just off the beach front and a handful of bars, but I wouldn't say the resort was as lively as CnB.

Cala n' Porter is only about 20 mins from the airport or so, quite a hilly resort. The beach is in a lovely little bay but it is an absolute killer to get down the 100+ steps in the August heat! There is a slope to drive down, but it's definitely not as accessible as Son Bou or CnB. I think this is probably the most "english" resort out of all 3 of them, lots of bars and restaurants here. Never went on a night out here but always wanted to because of the nightclub in the cliffs Cova d'en Xoroi which is also open in the day for a drink in. I can't comment whether the resort would become too Blackpool like in the evening, I can't imagine Menorca would be like that though!

You must make sure you include a trip to Mahon the capital, it's so beautiful and well worth going, especially on market days.

I can't wait to go back!!

summer holiday next year obviously!

Have a look on this website too:

www.menorca-net.co.uk

Santo Tomas, quiet and friendly with lovey beach!

whom did you get your cheap flights through pleaey?

Would recommend Cala Galdana.

Cala'n' Bosch very popular but completely purpose built so very touristy.

We liked Punta Prima but quite quiet.

Agree to definitely visit Mahon, lots of people go to Menorca & don't but its lovely, lots of cobbled streets, shops, cathedral, great for sightseeing.

Hi!Am looking to book for a group of us 3 adults (kids-10,8, and 2 year old twins) last 2 weeks in july.....and love this thread!Is it worth me booking an all inclusive???or should I wait and see and hope euro comes up?Its a holiday we all need after a horrid 3 years so although on budget would love some top tips(I want to eat Minorcan food not Chicken nuggets!)Anyone??any info welcome?

We go to binibeca for a chill out every year It is very unspoilt and low key and we love it but ds is a teenager and happy to swim and read etc. The beach is lovely and there is a tiny town everything walkable. Villas apartments and hotels are all reasonable

I'm very interested in your flights!

We gave stayed in cala n Bosch and cala n forcat. Both lovely.

I've been to Cala Galdana (the Cala Galdana hotel and their self catering apartments) a few times. It's one of the only places I've ever gone back to because I love it. First went with parents then alone on first grown-up teenager holiday with my friend.

Oh yes where did you find the flights? Anyone got more info on binebecca? Are there enough places to eat or is it as small as punts prima?

I live in Menorca!!Everywhere will be very busy in August. It all depends on the type of holiday u want. Although Menorca is tiny and very easy to explore by car or bus. Cala Galdana is great, though just for a week but is not very well connected by bus to anywhere else. Think you would need to hire a car to get to nearest decent supermarket etc. bear in mind is very hilly, but beach is stunning and lots of water based activities. Night life low key, nice variety of restaurants. Calan bosch, pretty level resort. Plenty of bars and restaurants based around the pretty marina, is further from airport, looking at about 80 euros for taxi transfer,each way. great beaches san xoriguer beach is walkable as well as calan bosch beach. Bus runs every 10 mins into old town of Ciutadella which has a lovely port and late night market evry night in peak season. From Ciutadella you can access whole island by bus. So you wouldnt really need a car.Arenal, i find a little bit dull,although veryy pretty beach, again hilly, but near to only golf course on island, and bus service to the beautiful fishing village of fornells. Calan porter, bit too English for me. Very steep hill from beach. Son Bou, longest beach on island, nearer to airport, low key nightlife, but decent selection of restaurants. Calan forcat blanes los delfines bit yuk, tiny beaches, good if you like karaoke and fry ups>saving grace is very close to Ciutadella!

Jelly...All inclusive is the work of the devil!! Is killing the Island!! If you shop around there are some really good menu del dias, but people often complain menorca is not as cheap as the other islands and the mainland etc...

Thanks lop, v helpful...................hope not too expensive!I do agree with you in regards to All Inclusive killing local trade and to be fair...there is only so much my 2 year old twins CAN eat!just booked to go to santo tomas?Just being noisy....what brought you to Menorca?

lop37 I didn't know you lived in Menorca! envy]