Done to death I know but Cala Galdana or Arenals D'en Castells?

[Jenala]

One week away at the start of September this year, first holiday with the DCs who will be 3 years and 15 months.

Pre-children we would get a self catering apartment, hire a car and do lots of exploring. We would always avoid resort towns and prefer small towns with a bit of tourist infrastructure (a few bars, a few choices of restuarants etc).

With DCs though we want a hotel either b&b or half board as I don't think self catering with young children will be much of a holiday. However I'd still rather avoid huge resort towns, high rises, anything brits abroad.

I'd like a local beach that's very safe, I'm more anxious than I used to be and would like the kids to be able to paddle safely etc. I'm tempted to hire a car still as Menorca is so small so we could visit lots of other beaches. So what's most important to me is that our base is not a big tourist centre with loads of partying, drinking and full English breakfasts but also isn't so small there's nothing going on at all (we once stayed in a village in Sardinia that was beautiful but had about 2 restaurants and everyone disappeared by 6pm - not good!).

So. I'm thinking it's a between Cala Galdana or Arenals D'en Castell. Which would be best? Also will September be nice weather and everything still be open? I'm hoping for warmer seas and pools as it's the end of summer.

Thanks!

Forgot to say in Menorca

I think Galdana is definitely the more touristy of the two options (it's prob the most definitely resort on the island). Have you looked at Binibeca, Calan Porter etc? There are some smaller resorts that might be more suitable to your taste, particularly if you have a car and can explore beyond them....

Weather is less dependable in Sept but will still be warm, and much less crowded. And definitely hire a car - there are beautiful beaches to explore, and Mahon and Ciutadella are lovely to wander around.

Have you looked at Cala Blanca? We went several years ago, so it may have changed, but it was a nice, quiet resort, great for young kids.

It's been over 20 years since we went to Menorca, when my DD was 6 months. Both resorts are lovely. Cala Galdana has that lovely sweeping beach and the resort is very easy to manage with a buggy. From what I remember Arenals is more hilly. Minorca is a lovely island for a first family holiday with 2 little ones. It will still be quite hot. September in Minorca is not the end of summer.