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arenal d'en castell menorca

16 replies

rainydogday · 10/01/2022 21:29

Holiday gurus please help. I am literally doing my head in trawling through holiday hotel reviews. Never been to Menorca, thinking of booking Palladium hotel arenal d'en castell. We have never done AI but it does appeal as kids get impatient and bored waiting in restaurants Grin We like going for a walk in the evenings and like water sports. Not into cheesey entertainment but wouldn't be bothered by it. We loved puerto pollensa for the pine walk and harbour evening strolls (although the shops were a bit tacky). Will we like Menorca?

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GoodnightGrandma · 10/01/2022 21:32

Menorca is lovely and great for families.
If you go, take a trip up El Toro mountain. It’s a great view and there’s a little cafe up there.

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Campervan69 · 10/01/2022 22:14

Menorca is lovely. We like Cala Blanca/Santandria area as we like going into Cuitadella of an evening. It's a tiny island so worth hiring a car to explore some of the virgin beaches.

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mandoforever · 12/01/2022 14:40

Menorca is stunning but I wouldn't pick that resort, there's not much greenery there. The beach is good though.

Cala galdana on the southern coast is a much prettier resort.

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whoopstheregoesmyshouldet · 12/01/2022 14:41

I was going to post the same resort so this is helpful - any specific recommendations for hotels in the other resorts ?

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mandoforever · 12/01/2022 16:20

I've stayed at two hotels there, Audax is adults only and good, Cala galdana hotel is fine, we stayed in the prestige suites which were lovely and built into the hill so no noise. I'd only go bed and breakfast at the Cala galdana hotel the food is ok but not the best.
The Meliá gets great reviews if I had children that would be my pick.

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mandoforever · 12/01/2022 16:22

Can't speak for the pool at either as we always go to the beach.
When we had children we'df rent a villa, I'd recommend the company we used to use.

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freelions · 12/01/2022 16:26

Honestly after Pollensa I suspect you would be disappointed

We went once when kids were small and had a nice time but there really isn't much going on and minimal choice for restaurants and bars etc

The coast and sea is beautiful but landscape is quite baron really

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rainydogday · 12/01/2022 17:03

@freelions

Honestly after Pollensa I suspect you would be disappointed

We went once when kids were small and had a nice time but there really isn't much going on and minimal choice for restaurants and bars etc

The coast and sea is beautiful but landscape is quite baron really

Oh no, I thought I read that Menorca is quite 'green'.
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rainydogday · 12/01/2022 17:08

@mandoforever

I've stayed at two hotels there, Audax is adults only and good, Cala galdana hotel is fine, we stayed in the prestige suites which were lovely and built into the hill so no noise. I'd only go bed and breakfast at the Cala galdana hotel the food is ok but not the best.
The Meliá gets great reviews if I had children that would be my pick.

Looked at the Meliá and it looks
Lovely but it is a bit out of our price range. Gosh choosing hotels is so hard! My wish list is
AI with good food reviews.
Teenage kids (not bothered by water parks)
Snorkelling or paddleboard hire a bonus
Not at all fussed about evening entertainment
Somewhere nice to explore after dinner, harbour etc
Cute shops (not loads selling massive wooden penis key rings)! Grin
Buses or car rental to explore hidden beaches
Hotel on the beach would amazing or sea views but not a deal breaker
But quick walk to beach
Big pool
Ideally around or under 4K in July/August
I am chasing something I can't afford?!
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whoopstheregoesmyshouldet · 12/01/2022 18:44

@rainydogday I'm chasing this too! We did lake Garda in 2019 with a 13 year old and 7 year old and it was lovely but they needed a bit more to do. I'm all search engined out!

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rainydogday · 12/01/2022 18:50

[quote whoopstheregoesmyshouldet]@rainydogday I'm chasing this too! We did lake Garda in 2019 with a 13 year old and 7 year old and it was lovely but they needed a bit more to do. I'm all search engined out![/quote]
I think I am nearly there and I read one review that mentions the food wasn't great and I bolt! I just need to bite the bullet.......but will wait for some more help recommendations! Grin

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falalalalalalablahblah · 12/01/2022 18:50

100% Cala Galdana with kids. Know the island well and that for me is the best and prettiest option.

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Campervan69 · 12/01/2022 18:53

Cala Galdana is lovely but small. We always visit once a trip but I never feel like I could stay a week there. It feels a little cut off too. You'd definitely need a car to explore with.

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PAFMO · 12/01/2022 21:52

I've been to Cala Galdana 3 times, last time 3 years ago with DD who was 15 at the time. I love it, and so did she, but it is a purpose built resort (very small though) around the beach so there's not a huge amount of extra things to do. We did 3 day trips out though.
I've stayed in the Hotel Cala Galdana all the times I've been. Like most package tour hotels these days the meals are buffet service so no waiting around. (When I first stayed there it was table service, and so much less choice.)

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ShebaQueen · 15/01/2022 18:07

Maybe Cala en Bosc? The Zafiro might suit your needs

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Figgygal · 15/01/2022 18:11

Also considering menorca
My husband is coeliac and requires a gluten free diet and I've heard good things

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