Aparthotel HG Jardin de Menorca

Breakfast was great, a proper feast if you’re hungry, and the staff were lovely. The place is quiet but there’s still plenty to do. Son Bou village is a 20-minute walk away, or you can take their taxi shuttle. I’d definitely return.

The suites are amazing, really roomy, well equipped with utensils and fitted with an absolutely stunning mattress. As a solo traveller, I found this lovely hotel perfect. The dining room is spacious, so you can find a quiet corner or sit outside overlooking the pools. It’s a bit remote, but there’s a free shuttle bus until 8pm. If you’re out later, a taxi from town is only about 7 euros. The Mahon bus stops right outside, before it reaches town, so you’re likely to get a seat on market days. There’s also a handy little shop at the entrance, since the pool bar closes if there are no customers. The food was tasty but the choice was limited, so I’ve taken a mark off for that. I’d booked a solo stay for my 60th, and the night before my birthday my mother, sister, daughters and others surprised me by arriving. They’d paid for dinner, but check-in was a little slow, so I went to let the dining room know. The restaurant manager and kitchen staff then started arguing about the small delay. It’s a long story, but the situation was handled very poorly and took the shine off my lovely surprise. Even so, I’ve booked again for next May. It’s a lovely base.

The breakfast buffet was a real highlight, with everything from Spanish and continental choices to a full English. The morning chef was friendly and polite, and made a fantastic omelette to order. Our Junior Superior Suite was spotless, spacious and so comfortable, a real home from home. There’s a shuttle to the beach, though we rented a car to explore more freely. The beach and the main restaurant and bar area are also an easy 25-minute walk away. The gardens are beautifully kept, the location is gorgeous, and there are three large pools to choose from. The staff were wonderful throughout. Elena at the front desk deserves a special mention for all her local tips and information, and for making us feel welcome as soon as we arrived. Everything exceeded our expectations. We’ll definitely return, and I’d recommend it if you’re after a relaxing stay in a beautiful setting with great service.

We’re nearing the end of our stay and have had a really positive experience. Coming before the season officially starts was unexpectedly nice: the hotel is quiet and probably less than half full. The staff have been fantastic, and the free shuttle taxi runs every half hour. With so few guests using it, they told us to call whenever we needed it, and even took us outside the scheduled times when we were running late. Reception can call a taxi too, just press 9 on the room phone. The kids have loved the breakfast selection and going up for three breakfasts. There’s fresh fruit, yoghurt, cheese, cold meats, juices, coffee with lots of choices, cakes, pastries, bread and fried breakfast, plus a chef who makes omelettes and eggs to order. The kids’ club is good fun, and I’ve enjoyed joining in. The off-season schedule is reduced, which makes sense with so few guests, though we would have liked an evening disco before bedtime. Watching the kids dance on stage is usually a holiday highlight. The club is tucked around the corner past the pools and park, so ask what’s happening, the kids love the activities there. It has a chilled vibe. Staff give you space, but they’re very friendly and helpful if you ask. The safe costs €3 a day. I was the first person to ask reception about it this season, which gave me a sense of how trustworthy and safe the hotel is. The kids and a few brave guests have used the outdoor pools. They’re cleaned daily and there’s a lifeguard, but with temperatures around 20⁰, I’d suggest wearing a wetsuit. There are toilets near reception and a room for luggage on checkout day. Our family room is spacious and has a balcony, and the rooms are cleaned daily. The hotel also has three outdoor pools and a kids’ club. At the end of it all, this has been a mega-bargain holiday. I can’t work out why the island is so quiet. We’ve spent much more on past holidays that weren’t nearly as nice. The hotel sits right by the start of a walking and cycling path, and it’s well worth heading down it to see the beautiful landscape for yourself.