With pristine beaches and clear, shallow waters, Menorca makes a great choice for a family holiday and there’s no shortage of family-friendly hotels either, from lively, all-inclusive beach resorts with splash parks and live entertainment to countryside haciendas in the tranquil hinterland.
The beauty of this Balearic island is that it is small, not too hilly and easy to get around, meaning that from your hotel base, it’s easy to explore the idyllic coves, markets and towns and attractions over the course of a week.
Meliá Cala Galdana
On the sandy beach at Cala Galdana on Menorca’s south coast, this luxurious, contemporary hotel is super-family friendly but doesn’t compromise on style. For younger family members there’s a children’s pool and kids’ club while yoga, pilates and meditation will keep grown-ups happy and relaxed. Family rooms from £148 B&B, melia.com
Palladium Hotel Menorca, Arenal d’en Castell
Splendidly positioned on a hilltop overlooking Arenal d’en Castell beach, this large but classy, contemporary hotel has three pools including one for children and another adults only. There’s also a kids’ club and the beach is only a four-minute walk away. Doubles from £177 half board, palladiumhotelgroup.com
Royal Son Bou Family Club, Son Bou
With no less than five kids’ clubs, for everyone from babies to teenagers, the Royal Son Bou is often voted Menorca’s best family-friendly hotel. The vast children’s pool features a pirate ship and waterslides, and Son Bou beach – the longest on the island, is less than 10 minutes’ walk away. Doubles from £145 B&B, royalsonbou.com
Carema Club Resort, Fornells
Overlooking the sandy cove and clear waters of Cala Tirant, kids will love the pirate-themed splash park, complete with waterslides as well as a bouncy castle and playground, while adults can enjoy diving, snorkelling and kayak excursions, yoga and massage. Apartments from £145 B&B, caremahotels.com
Prinsotel La Caleta, Santandria
With whitewashed rooms and apartments draped in fuchsia bougainvillea, as well as a pool surrounded by tall palms and olive trees, the Prinsotel has a relaxed, Mediterranean vibe. The large pool has a children’s section, and there’s also a playground and mini club for four to 12-year-olds. Doubles from £130 B&B, prinsotel.es
Llucmaçanes Gran Agroturismo, Mahon
There’s more to Menorca than its beaches and on this working farm just outside the capital Mahón, with rustic chic rooms and apartments, children can get to know rabbits, sheep, cows and pigs. There’s also a large pool, as well as an organic kitchen garden. Doubles from £166 B&B, llucmagran.com
Occidental Menorca, Punta Prima
Children who love the water will adore the splash park here with its jets and slides, but the hotel has plenty of other activities too. There are different kids’ clubs catering for four to 17-year-olds, as well as an indoor games room and the beach at Punta Prima on the south-east coast is only a few minutes’ walk. Doubles from £109, barcelo.com
Barceló Nura, Biniancolla
If you want somewhere quieter that’s still family friendly, this low key but luxurious five star hotel on the south coast could be the answer. There are three main pools as well as a spa and fitness centre and the beach at Punta Prima is only a mile away. Doubles from £187 B&B, barcelo.com
Hotel Seth 55, Santo Tomas
The vast 61 metre-long pool is just one of the attractions at this 165 room hotel on the edge of the sandy beach at Santo Tomas on the south coast. Add into the mix a kids’ pool with splash park, playground and kids’ club as well as an indoor pool in the spa and there’s something for everyone. Doubles from £165 B&B, sethotels.com
Marsenses Paradise Beach Club, Cala en Bosc
Close to the white sands of Cala en Bosc, one of Menorca’s key beach resorts, this good value hotel is especially good for larger families, with 191 rooms and apartments sleeping up to six people. There are two main pools, a splash pool with water slides as well as an indoor pool in the spa. Doubles from £102 B&B, marsenses.com
Sol Falco, Playa Son Xoriguer
Set amid lush gardens, Sol Falco is an all-inclusive resort, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach at Son Xoriguer. With seven outdoor pools as well as a kid’s pool, two kids’ clubs and live entertainment, children won’t be bored. Doubles from 108 B&B, melia.com
Aparthotel HG Jardin de Menorca, Son Xoriguer
Children stay free at this large aparthotel set around the lush, palm-tree filled, well maintained gardens, near Son Bou. There are three outdoor pools, a kids’ club and a free shuttle bus to the beach, as well as a fitness centre. Doubles from €147 (£126), hghoteles.com
Zafiro Menorca, Cala En Bosc
With 172 apartments built around a central pool (one of three), this is another family favourite, thanks to the pirate-themed kids’ pool, complete with splash park and water slides. There’s also a kids’ club, football and volleyball and Son Xoriguer beach is ten minutes’ walk away. Doubles from €153 (£131) B&B, zafirohotels.com
Minura Sur Menorca, Punta Prima
Five minutes away from the lively Punta Prima beach resort, the Minura is attached to a water park which is free to access for hotel guests. In the hotel itself, there’s a large pool with a special shallow area for smaller children, as well as a playground, kids’ club and mini disco. Doubles from £85 (min stay three nights), minurahotels.com
Globales Los Delfines, Cala‘n Forcat
The light-filled rooms and apartments at this good value option are set around the hotel’s star feature – a large, kidney shaped pool. There’s also a designated kids’ pool and splash park, pool table, darts and table tennis. The beach at Cala’n Forcat is about 15 minutes’ walk away. Doubles from €198 (£169) B&B, hotelesglobales.com
White Sands Beach Club, Arenal d’en Castell
On the edge of the beach at Arenal d’en Castell, this aparthotel resort has a range of bright, spacious options, from studios to three-bedroom apartments. With two outdoor pools – an infinity pool with gorgeous sea views as well as a kids’ pool and jacuzzi, there’s also a private beach, pool bar and onsite restaurant. Doubles from €59 (£51), diamondresortsandhotels.com
Valentin Son Bou
On a hilltop overlooking south coast Son Bou – Menorca’s longest beach, there’s no shortage of entertainment on offer here. Children can splash around in the kids’ pool and there’s also a kids’ club. If you like the idea of a singalong, there are tribute bands in the evenings. Doubles from £106 B&B (minimum three nights), valentinhotels.com
Sol Milanos Pinguinos, Son Bou
The lagoon style pool surrounded by palm trees, is one of the main attractions, at this large, 600 room hotel. Overlooking the beach at Son Bou, the kids’ club has plenty of activities for all ages and there’s also a playground and sports courts. Doubles from £158 B&B, melia.com
Comitas Floramar, Cala Galdana
Overlooking the pine-fringed beach at Cala Galdana, this stylish, whitewashed aparthotel has a large, kidney shaped pool as well as a small, toddlers’ pool, football and a small soft play area for babies and toddlers. A short walk away, Cala Mitjana is a stunning, turquoise bay that feels like somewhat of a secret find. Doubles from £171, comitashotels.com
Alua Illa de Menorca, Sant Lluís
Although slightly smaller than one or two other resort hotels, the 228-room Alua Illa is far from small and has plenty of kids’ activities. You’ll find two outdoor pools onsite, a children’s entertainment programme and a games room as well as ping pong and a giant chess board. Cala Alcaufar beach on Menorca’s south coast is a 15-minute walk away. Doubles from £176 B&B, amrcollection.com
