S'Algar, Menorca

If the stresses of everyday life are getting on top of you and you suddenly find yourself in desperate need of a break in tranquil surroundings where the pace of life is snail-like and the weather warm and dry, you could do far worse than head for Menorca, one of the four Balearic  islands off the Spanish mainland.

First off, compare flights to find the cheapest deal to one of the two airports on this small island. Then head for S’Algar on the south east coast. If you hire a car, as we did, the journey is an easy drive, taking no more than an hour along a road that takes you across the pretty terrain littered with an abundance of cacti, dry stone walls, olive groves and the occasional windmill that looks like it’s come straight out of the pages of Don Quixote. If you don’t want to hire a car, which can prove expensive,  check the bus timetables or be totally decadent and resort to taking a taxi. 

S’Algar is a small and sleepy resort that’s home to countless pretty white villas overflowing with pink and purple bougainvilleas, the ubiquitous palm tree and two hotels. The larger of the two, The San Luis should be given a wide berth unless you’re into fairly second-rate entertainment and loud discos of an evening. The other, however, is another story altogether. The Hotel S’Algar, a small, discreet and spotless affair with a breathtaking pool overlooking the sea, is a class act. As soon as you step inside its cool and elegant interior, you can feel yourself unwind. The decor is simple, contemporary and unpretentious, and its rooms, while not overly large, are comfortable, cosy and all provide shady verandas.

If you book breakfast and dinner, you’re in for an absolute treat. The dining room itself enjoys a wonderful view over the swimming pool and the sea beyond. This said, you may be rather distracted by an equally impressive spread of culinary delights artistically arranged on a marble topped island; one half offering cold dishes like fresh langoustine, a selection of cold meats and exotic looking salads, and the other a vast array of hot dishes. The only slight downside as far as I am concerned is that this help-yourself buffet can play havoc with your waistline. Be warned, the fare here is very good and exceptionally tempting.

We noticed that many of the guests here are in fact Spanish, which is always a good sign. And the staff, by the way, are incredibly helpful and accommodating should you ever need to ask them anything.

If you grow tired from lazing in or around the pool, you can take a 15 minute stroll along the coastline across rock pools to Cala Alcaufar, the little fishing village perched on an inlet of crystal clear water. It’s the perfect place for little ones to paddle in the shallow water, while you sit at one of the small bars above, nursing a coffee and reading the morning papers.

Alternatively, you can head off and explore some of the nearby sites. Ciutadella with its majestic cathedral which dates back to 1287 is the old capital and well worth a visit if you can force yourself away from S’Algar. But you’ll soon want to head back, take another dip in that wonderful pool and simply unwind.

Alex Pearl is a freelance copywriter and author of ‘Sleeping with the Blackbirds’.
http://alexpearlmini.carbonmade.com  http://sleepingwiththeblackbirds.co.uk