Menorca hols

[oldmegan]

OK, Peeps

Our family want to go to Menorca next year at May half term. We are a party of 6, 2 x OAPs, 2 x 30 somethings, 1 x 12 year old, 1 x 4 year old. We are looking at Club Hotel Aguamarina in Arenal d'en Castell. We need to go all inclusive, which this hotel does, so that once we get there, we don't need to spend any more unless we go on excursions. We need decent, but not posh, food, clean rooms, air con and a beach where the 4 year old can run in and out of the sea in safety. Does that sound realistic? Has anyone been there? If not, can you please suggest a better hotel/resort? Thanks very much!

[boxtops]

I haev been to Arenal several times and it's a lovely bay with plenty of sand. Have you looked at review sites like this? http://www.tripadviso...Balearic_Islands.html

We love Menorca, a small island but largely unspoilt and very little commercialism - the only major tourist hotels are on the south coast (I think sqad will agree).
I don't know this particular hotel but Arenal is pretty if you like views and sands, Fornells is a short drive away, the second city Cuitadella is only 45 mins away and that's as far as you can get. The island surprised me with a lot of very well-preserved and well-presented prehistoric sites which were interesting.
Last time we went we hired a car from the airport so that we could be self-sufficient in getting around, but the bus service goes right into Arenal and I am sure will be frequent when you are thinking of going.

[oldmegan]

Thank you, boxtops, it sounds as though our little grandson will love the beach there!

[boxtops]

It's lovely, and it's shallow - you can go quite a little way without getting beyond your knees! We've stayed at the White Sands Beach Club (we do timeshare) which is further round the bay towards the point. I do recommend you get a guidebook, there is lots to see, but it's low key and very pleasant. The beach on the south coast is the more commercial one and is massive, I think you will be pleased with Arenal as a location - I hope the hotel is OK!

[LoftyLottie]

Wonderful beach at d'en Castell. Went there several times in the 70's when it was still a quiet little place - a friend had a villa there. I expect it's more built up now.

Mind you we have an AB'er that lives in Menorca. I am sure he will welcome a large party to his villa and he just loves children. Where are you Sqad!!

[oldmegan]

Thank you, but who is Sqad??????

[boxtops]

sqad is one of us, oldmegan, posts regularly on AB - and lives on the island.

[oldmegan]

ok, well let's hope he can help us out then! the resort does sound ideal for our little grandson, he just loves running in and out of the sea and digging sand pies!

[Prudie]

I go there every year too and apart from some isolated ghastly tourist areas on the south and west coast it is idyllic for a family beach holiday. Nearly all the beaches are sand and the sea calm and clear. You should have a wonderful time in Arenal. If you can afford it try to get out and about because some of the out of the way beaches are paradise. Really friendly people too. Nothing like the other Balearic islands.

[oldmegan]

Thanks, Prudie, we will certainly do that - can't wait to go now!!

[boxtops]

not so built up, Lottie - yes there are two or three big hotels on the bay, and an arcady place round the corner near where we stayed, but here is what it still looks like http://www.google.co....sa%3DX%26tbs%3Disch:1

[Prudie]

Neither can I but I'm off this Monday Yippeee!

[boxtops]

Prudie, have a wonderful time - we are going back in November. Weather may be a little less reliable, but hey that's timeshare!

[Prudie]

Thanks boxy, you have a timeshare there? My dream is to win the lottery and go and live there but sensible other half thinks we could in reality get a small aprtment now but I don't think we'd use it enough when we both work full time. How often do you go over?

[Sqad]

///I am sure he will welcome a large party to his villa and he just loves children. Where are you Sqad!!///
LOL kids++ and the working classes, all welcome at my expensive upmarket upper class villa, especially [email protected] is BOO a "nanna" yet?.........??

Oldmegan..all the replies given above are extremely helpful,Menorca having one beach for every day of the year.
South Coast is the popular one with excellent beaches for kids at Es Canutels, Cala en Porter and in particular Son.Bou. In the north,you have already mentioned Arenal d'en Castell, nice beech and good hotel.

Menorca is clean and the people are friendly. It is not a cheap Island, £/€ good at the moment, but I have no idea what it will be next May.
Health care...excellent.

Enjoy Menorca......would love to see you and the kids......oooops! forgotten to type my address.

[boxtops]

LOL @ sqad, thanks for the confirmation! oldmegan yes, we have a week in November, which as sqad has pointed out to me before is not the best of weeks to own and we may not keep it on. We do timeshare the rest of the time on a points basis, we first went to Menorca to the White Sands Country Club which is a couple of miles south of Arenal, if you stay at one White Sands Resort you can use the facilities at the other too, which is handy since the Country Club (as its name says) has no beach. We really do love Menorca though!

[oldmegan]

ThanQ, Sqad, we won't be troubling you! but good to hear that the resort will be good for all of us 6 at different ages!