“A cool townhouse hotel with a pretty walled garden and small pool”
Just a 5-minute walk from the vibrant tapas bars and 18th-century architecture of Menorca’s capital, this townhouse discreetly conceals 6 airy and individual bedrooms (5 in the main house, 1 in the garden). A new curiosity waits around every turn - a vintage globe, reclaimed chairs, Formica tables, rustic original doors - and striking industrial lighting cascades down through the lofty stairwell. This is the coolest Menorcan home-from-home you could wish for - and it’s great value, too.
Highs
- Every room combines original features with cool design pieces. First-floor rooms have towering sash windows, top floor rooms have beautiful beamed ceilings
- Free from the formality of a traditional hotel: Nina’s around when you need her but there's no reception or hovering staff
- A great base for the whole island, and can be combined with sister property, Hotel Ses Sucreres, in sleepy Ferreries
- Electric bikes to hire, great fun for exploring (though you’ll need to drive to beaches)
- Simple yet tasty breakfasts, and close to tapas bars and fancier restaurants for other meals
Lows
- Due to the use of original doors and windows, sound-proofing can be an issue
- Second-floor rooms lack the high ceilings of other floors
- The Double Room has an open-plan bathroom, which won’t suit everyone
- No TVs or twin beds
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique Hotel
- 6
- Breakfast only (walk to restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- WiFi
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Beach Nearby
- Off-street Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
A simple yet funky look transcends the 6 rooms: all-white walls, original tile floors and rustic wood doors, accented by apple-green rugs, hot-pink armchairs and reclaimed glass jars. Refreshingly, there's total freedom from technology - unless you’re in a suite, in which case you get iPod speakers.
The 3 street-facing Suites have grand proportions; we loved our first-floor version, with original wardrobes, huge sash windows (with shutters) and twin basins. The top-floor suite has a generous welcome hall and skylights which pour light through the beamed ceiling (though no views). The first-floor Family Suite overlooks the garden; along with the kingsize bedroom, there’s a second, narrower room where 2 single beds can be added (it's also the only room with a bathtub and shower). Budget-conscious visitors will love the smaller rooms. There’s a characterful second-floor Double Room with an open-plan bathroom and pool views, and a more modern Basic Room tucked at the end of the walled garden, with its own little terrace.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Central heating
- Extra beds
- Hairdryer
- Honesty bar
- Mosquito net
- Terrace
- Toiletries
- WiFi
Eating
In the morning, breakfast awaits on the shady garden terrace (or indoors during the cooler months). Like the décor, it’s simple yet endearing and authentic. Coffee, teas, juices, Menorca jams (fig, orange or melon and pumpkin!), fruit, pastries - we loved the chocolate-dipped croissants - and Menorca’s favourite savoury options: bread with fresh mashed tomato and sea salt, local cheese and sobrasada cured meat. You can also order fresh orange juice and eggs for a small additional charge.
For other meals, Mao has a wealth of restaurants, including buzzing tapas bars, family-friendly eateries or something more upmarket. Nina is a mine of local information.
Tea and coffee are available all day in the ground-floor lounge, as is the honesty fridge, where you can get pizzas to heat up yourself and delicious Menorcan wines (we enjoyed our award-winning and reasonably priced Binitord Blanc 2013, near Ciutadella).
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Children's meals
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Borrow Petit Maó’s electric bikes (daily charge) to explore town and the harbour, or fold the bikes up and drive to Menorca’s picturesque coastal track (also popular with walkers and horse riders)
- Tour Maó’s architectural assets, from the magnificent Santa Maria church and the Carmelite Convent and Church, to the buzzing Mercado de Pescadoes and bustling harbour
- Drive 20 minutes to Menorca’s pretty south-coast beaches - often hidden behind fragrant woodlands, the small coves offer powder-white sand and sheltered turquoise waters. Families will like Cala Binibequer, which has sunloungers and a snack bar, while purists may prefer the natural beauty of tiny Cala Binidali
- Ciuatadella’s charming old town (tapas bars, gelato cafes and ancient architecture), and glossy port are not to be missed; a 45-min drive from Mao
- Visit a vineyard: Binitord Estate (featured in the honesty bar) is recommended, or try Hort Sant Patrici, where there’s also cheese production and a modern sculpture garden
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Mountain biking
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Kids
Petit Maó's independent atmosphere would suit a relaxed family looking for a homely town base. The surrounding streets are residential and quiet. There's a family suite and a nice long swimming pool.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
The first-floor Family Suite can sleep up to 4 (plus a baby) in one double bed and 2 single beds in an adjoining room. Suites can fit a single bed or baby cot. Note that no family-friendly rooms have a bathtub.
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots
- High chair
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Children's meals:
The honesty fridge has yogurts, chocolate drinks, freshly squeezed orange juice or organic juices; additional items can be provided with advance notice. The hotel has a list of recommended restaurants for families which offer delicious healthy fare
Kids Activities on site:
- Swimming pool
- Board games and books
- Colouring books and pencils
- Projector for screening films on request
- Children's entertainer can be booked on request for parties/celebrations
- Gardened courtyard
Kids Activities nearby:
- Boat trips, Mao harbour
- Freginal park has a playground
- Walks along harbour
- Small zoo 10 mins drive away
- Farms to visit
Families Should Know:
The pool is unfenced so you'll have to keep a close eye on little ones
Distances:
- Airport: 15 minutes
- Hospital: 10 minutes
- Shops: 5-10 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
