MENORCA AND S’ALGAR

Once you are in S’Algar moving around is fairly easy. Mahon is close by for shopping and sightseeing and during the summer there is a regular bus service and the trip takes about 20 minutes. From the capital buses are available to the rest of Menorca. The resort itself is small and consists primarily of two fairly large hotels, a few self catering apartments, and some privately owned villas and holiday homes. The area is considered as quiet, although it does have a good selection of sports facilities.

A key quirk about S'Algar is that it actually lacks a proper beach. The narrow strip of imported sand in front of the Hotel S'Algar is not really up to the job and you need to walk to a real sandy beach. Fortunately, most people will make the walk in about 20 minutes to the cove at Cala Alcaufar. We found this beach perfectly adequate during our stay, but in fairness it isn’t the best beach on Menorca. It is, however, quite sheltered and an ideal place for sunbathing or a quick dip in the sea. Children can become absorbed at spending time in the cove.

HOTEL SAN LUIS

Sport facilities available at the hotel include: mountain biking; trekking with guided tours; a brief introduction to scuba diving; kayaking; sailing; snorkelling; tennis; golf driving range with net; putting green and bunker; archery; table tennis; chess; gym and a sauna which incurs an extra charge. Entertainment for children includes a mini-club for 4 to 10year old and a kids club for 11 to15year olds.

Car Rental is relatively cheap in the area and the Hotel has a free public car park for the use of residents. With a hire car you can go further afield on the wonderful island of Menorca to places like the old capital Ciudadela or the longest beach Son Bou. The more adventurous can also make the scenic trip up the winding road to the top of Mount Toro - the highest point on the island. I just love the views from there.

We stayed at the San Luis for two weeks at the end of September on a half board basis. We thought the hotel was cool and clean and that the hotel staff were friendly. The food for many meals in the main dining hall was quite repetitive. However, the La Pasta Italian restaurant provided a different menu for lunch, the snack bar Sporting opens for lunch and dinner, and the Asia restaurant for dinner (upon reservation).

I would certainly recommend this hotel in it’s relatively quiet location on what is one of the most unspoilt of Spanish islands. The accessible swimming pool and all the sports activities (most of them free) mean that a holiday to suit most tastes is available at S’Algar and despite the resort not having a real beach, I must say we hardly noticed with all the facilities and the use of the hire car to get out and about.