ARTIEM Carlos - Adults Only Hotel

The harbour views are lovely, and the outdoor area has plenty of sun loungers, a saltwater pool and steps leading down to the sea. It’s an adult-only hotel, which made the stay feel especially restful. The staff were fabulous, always friendly and helpful, and I really liked the hotel’s green, sustainable approach.

We booked a corner room with a long, sweeping balcony. It cost more, but was absolutely worth it, and the views from the room are hard to beat. We’ll be back next year. Everything else was faultless again: the breakfast was superb, we had three dinners included with our booking, and it was good to see new equipment in the gym. The staff were so welcoming and friendly, a full 10 out of 10 for service.

The food was a real highlight. At both breakfast and dinner there was plenty to choose from, and it would be hard to leave thinking there was nothing you liked. Most hot main dishes were cooked to order in front of you, with meat and fish options. The restaurant itself is excellent. Inside, the hotel is clean and the staff are kind, welcoming and amazing. The rooms have a decent amount of space and larger-than-average bathrooms. They’re cleaned daily, with fresh towels if you need them. The upper pool deck is on the same level as reception and the dining terrace. There’s also a smaller infinity pool on the lower deck. The recently retiled pool area looked clean, had plenty of room and loungers, and the main pool is a good size with a chair lift. The lower deck is smaller, and regular guests seem to gather there, so those loungers are taken early. The decking gets very hot and needs some repair, as parts are uneven and loose. Evenings at the hotel bar felt a little quiet. There’s sometimes a singer, but I wouldn’t plan to spend the evening watching the entertainment there, and the bar tends to close at 10:30 or 11 if you’re lucky. We were half board and liked to get out in the evening too. The fishing harbour is about a 15-minute walk away, with 15-20 restaurants and small bars at reasonable prices. The Hamilton, another Jet2 hotel, is a five-minute walk away and is well worth a visit for its rooftop bar, hot tubs and spectacular sunset views across the bay. They make you feel welcome, and you can stay for the entertainment if you like. It’s much bigger and busier than the Artiem, which suited me better, though that’s personal preference. My first impression was disappointment, and the hotel’s kerb appeal isn’t great. Those are among the few downsides. It’s a good little hotel with staff who make the stay personal, though I’m not sure it deserves the Luxe label. I don’t think you’d be disappointed.

Es Castell is a lovely, quiet village, and the hotel has friendly staff, good facilities and great food. You can get down to the promenade and swim in the sea, though it isn’t like Menorca’s great beaches. Public transport from here is limited. Car hire isn’t too expensive, and reception can put you in touch with the service they use.