Son Bou (Menorca) vs Puerte de pollensa/alcudia (mallorca)

[MrsKateColumbo]

Hello all
We have spent a shortish hol near P de Pollensa and really loved the resort/beach and thinking of returning with our 5 and 7 yos (probably seaclub alcudia). I liked the shallow/calm waters and lovely sand. I also liked the kids playground on the beach and it didn't feel too "brits abroad" which i dislike.

However im comparing this with Son Bou in Menorca (HG Jardin)

If you have been to bother resorts which did you prefer? Port de P seems like a known quantity (we would hire a car so dont need to walk to a beach) but Son bou also looks nice.

A big dilemma!! Thanks :)

Port de Pollenca and alcudia are 2 very different resorts. I’d be careful of choosing alcudia if your wanting what you previously experienced in Port de pollenca

My experience of Alcudia was it was the epitome of Brits abroad. It’s very different to Puerto Pollenca.

I live in Pollensa - if you’re going to stay in the port you don’t need a car as you can walk to a lot of beaches. The buses are good for getting around too. I’m quite fond of Alcudia - it’s a lot livelier than the port as there are more families there and the beach is lovely though it does get very crowded (but it goes for miles so you can normally find a quietish bit). The port is a bit like a retirement home, especially in winter.

Menorca is a bit dull I think, but for families it’s cheaper than mallorca.

Thank you all.
Alcudia is off the table i think, it's a bit last minute so not loads to chose from...
Menorca being quiet is ok for me. My main requirement is shallow/calm water

I've been a lot to costa dorada/blanca but find the waves a bit too rough for my kids, costa del sol will be too hot but is there anywhere else on mainland Spain that has calm water?

Im leaning towards menorca as i haven't been before and not a lot available in p de p

@whirlyhead im considering the playa mar which is at the top near the aerodrome in P de P, do you know of it?

Santo Tomas in Menorca has a lovely beach with shallow calm water. It’s a quiet resort but lovely.

We stayed at both when children were young . P Pollensa was lovely but I never felt any rush to go back .
Son Bou was great for the children and I think we stayed at the resort you mentioned.
Plenty to occupy the children but not too Brits abroad. This was about 25 years ago so might have changed.

Son Bou was a lovely family resort. We stayed on the coast road in a villa across from Valentin Hotel. We thought we would be able to access the beach from that end but it was a reserve so had to drive to the resort itself (by the two twin hotels chihuahus and penguinos when we we went). There were a few restaurants in the town but they weren't remarkable. However this was over 20 years ago. The beach was lovely.

The two cities in Menorca were worth a visit. There's not much else but the beaches and coves are lovely. We were due to return and stay at Cala Galdana when COVID hit and we were given our money back.

We also stayed in a villa in Pollensa. The villa was great but overall we preferred Menorca.

Have only been to Son Bou but we did about 10 years in a row because the DCs loved it so much! We always hired a car and explored most of the island. We've been back several times since they grew up and left home and they've been back with their OHs too!

There are lots of beaches on Menorca which fit your requirements for safe paddling beaches with shallow water, Son Bou is very big beach, busy but can always find space if you walk down, Santo Tomas is near and also good. Cala Galdana is a lovely bay and resort, also Punta Prima and Cala en Porter great for children.

Thanks all, i went for p de p in the end as the menorca hotels that had availability had sketchy reviews upon further investigation (last min booking)

I will try to get in early for next year to try menorca!