Menorca in June, any recommendations/ideas?

[sylvev]

We are planning a weeks holiday in mid-June to Menorca, probably an apartment or villa. Any recommendations for areas, accommodation, places to visit/miss. There will be 4 of us, dh,me, dd (4) and ds(8).

Thanks.

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Hi

We went to Menorca last September, it was just fantastic for us. We stayed overlooking the beach at Punta Prima, which was perfect for us and our 2yr old. It would probably be a bit quiet for an 8-yr old but was perfect for us - very short transfer to airport, directly on safe, clean beach, loads of other toddlers around, etc. We booked through Magic of Spain, it might be worth checking out their brochure.

Menorca itself was just perfect, will definitely go back there. Good supermarkets for yummy Spanish food and all necessary toddler provisions and very child friendly - all the towns had lovely clean safe kids' play areas. Lots of restaurants had kids menus with pasta & chips etc. as well as decent food for grown ups. Also was so easy to get around and everyone loved kids and was so nice to our dd.

BTW, I think the harbour on the south of the island that sb34 is talking about is Es Castell - we loved it too, great for eating out as loads of restaurants and bustling Spanish atmosphere. Also good for morning coffee and an ice lolly for dd.

Good luck

We stayed in the San Valentin Hotel (also has apartments) twice, the last time being 3+ years ago. They were very well maintained, good food, great childrens entertainment without there being 100's of children (?!). It's just outside Son Bou (down a big hill to the resort, great exercise with a buggy) Fornells in the north is a lovely resort as is Son Parc.

Many thanks, this has been very helpful. It is useful to know the areas that are recommended.

I love Menorca - it is a really family orientated area. My favourite resort of all time is S'Algar on the South east cost - we stayed in apartments there. the whole of this resort (spread over about 3 miles) is owned byt he same person so all the villas, hotels and apartments are of the same standard - its extremeley clean and a family run resort, quiet but enough there to do.

Cala'n Bosch is also very nice but livelier - nice for a stroll round the marina of an evening but make sure you stay away from the main part.

We (myself, my wife and 2 year old daughter) have booked at the Insotel Club Punta Prima second week in May - any suggestions in terms of sight-seeing, things to keep my daughter occupied, travelling, beach towels on sunbeds, eating at restaurant or out would be very much appreciated.

We stayed in Punta Prima last June. It was really toddler-friendly but don't expect too much sophistication. Having said that, the Insotel is very nice. The resort itself is very small and centred round a nice sandy beach that we couldn't tear our daughter away from.

There are 2 Spar supermarkets (good for any additional food or toddler bribes) and about 4/5 restaurants along the front. We were self-catering so took our dd out for supper every evening at about 6ish. She ate pasta and generally caused havoc while we had an early-evening drink. All the restaurants had kids' menus and high chairs and the waiters didn't turn a hair at the mess caused by greedy toddlers. There are loads of little kids around - every second person is pushing a buggy. No noisy bars or discos or lager lout types at all.

We had a hire car and went out for morning excursions. Mahon is only 15/20 mins drive. It's got a harbour where you can watch the boats and a pedestrianized shopping area with lots of cafes. There's also a nice market selling local cheeses and other produce. Es Castell is also nearby - a lovely little harbour lined with fish restaurants, apparently very bustling and lively in the evenings (we never made it for dinner as dd is strictly an in-bed-at-8pm type and won't sleep in the buggy). However, we went there for morning coffee twice, she loved eating a lolly and watching the fishing boats. You can also do a boat trip round Mahon harbour from here.

We went to St Lluis (nearest proper 'Spanish' town to Punta Prima) several times. Had a couple of early evening meals in the tapas bar - dd loved the little plates of meatballs and the spanish omelette and we stuffed our faces with Spanish delicacies (the food in Punta Prima restaurants is a bit fish & chippy after a few days). The owner and waiter made a big fuss of dd and didn't mind when she got down and ran round the bar generally getting in the way and under peoples' feet. There is a very nice small kid's playground in St Lluis just opposite the windmill when you approach the town, on the left-hand side, and we paid that a visit a few times.

We also did a few longer drives but never made it up to Fornells, which is supposed to be lovely, or Son Parc.

Generally Menorca was delightful, really child-friendly, with clean, safe, well-maintained playgrounds in every town and lots of cafes where children are welcomed with open arms. Every time we ventured into a shop dd was given a lolly/small sweeties/a croissant by doting sales staff - yes, even men! I wouldn't go to Menorca looking for excitement or sophistication but with kids in tow it is ideal.

Enjoy your holiday.

Forgot to say that there's a newsagent/beach shop in Punta Prima that sells buckets, spades, beach balls, ice lollies, pencils and paper. We bought a bucket & spade set on the first day and it was a great success. There are also some little Thomas the Tank Engine type rides (like the ones you get in supermarkets) outside one of the restaurants, which proved quite diverting. And there is a little train that does trips along the coast. We were too lazy to queue but you might be more motivated!

Santo Tomas on the southern coast has a fab beach for a family holiday and is a resort with just enough going on to keep everyone happy- different types of accomodation to suit , private villas with pools ,holiday apartments and hotels ranging from basic to excellent- have a look at the Hotel Victoria Playa situated right on the beach-fab food and good childrens facilities, you can even walk across the headland to the neighboroughing resort of Son Bou.

Thanks all - will add a message once we've been there & let others know what it was like.

Just got back from a week at Insotel Club Punta Prima with our 2 year old daughter. To sum it up in one word "EXCELLENT".

Daughter loved it, very child friendly. Almost every couple had kids - ranging from a few months to about 6 years. Made use of the indoor pools more than the 2 outdoor ones....simply to keep baby out of the sun for longer periods.
Play areas and kids playgroups during the day too.

Small nearby beach was clean and quiet.

Restaurant had an abundance of highchairs.
Soft drinks, local beer, local wine free with evening meals. Good selection of food.

Mini disco each nite kept the baby amused and now that we're back, she's wondering why we don't go out each evening to let her dance.

Rooms clean and spacious.

Locals very polite and friendly.

Met several families that had returned to Insotel for second/third time, simply 'cos they enjoyed it so much.

Mix of nationalities, Dutch, German and British - all very polite and friendly.
Sadly, the only person who wasn't polite/courteous was a British lady serving in a British Fish & Chip shop (J & J in Mahon). Who just grunted and was very abrupt. You don't expect it from "one of your own" do you ??!!

Definitely the best resort (quality of accomodation and facilities) on the island.

If we returned to Menorca, then would have to stay there again.