Family hotels in Menorca for making memories in the sun

Active families are well catered for at the Royal Son Bou hotel. Club Kikoland provides activities dedicated to different age groups, so little ones under two can get creative, while toddlers take excursions to an animal farm. Meanwhile, older kids might play ping pong by day and party – supervised by club reps – in the evening. And for grown-ups? Try your hand at archery, CrossFit or water polo before bringing the brood together for the daily family-friendly show.

La Basílica restaurant is the place to go for a special meal. Dine on dishes like freshly grilled fish and creamy risotto, or tell the chef at the show-cooking station exactly how you’d like your pasta prepared. Let views of the rolling blue waves lapping Son Bou Beach lull you into holiday bliss. The sands are just a five-minute walk away, so you can head down to the shore together as the sun sets.

The hotel’s one and two-bedroom apartments are classically Mediterranean, with cooling tiled floors and soft colours on the wall. Each one has a mini kitchen and a balcony, with most overlooking the sea or the pool.

Despite its location in the heart of ancient capital Ciutadella, Sodium Hotel is an oasis of calm. Once a stately home, it beautifully blends traditional architecture with modern decor and houses just six rooms and suites, each one named after a metal. White walls and linens combine with pale wood to create a Scandi feel, but it’s the outside spaces that are the real bonus here – balconies, terraces and sundecks let you bask in the sun together in blissful privacy.

Wander the surrounding Moorish and medieval streets to discover the delights of the Old Town, including markets, museums, galleries and a 14th-century gothic cathedral. Missing the waves? Head to the Camí de Cavalls, a coastal path that circles the whole island, taking in serene beaches and rugged forests. Along this 116-mile route, you’ll find plenty of unspoilt sandy stretches where the family can spread out and take a swim in the clear waters.

There’s a wealth of eateries in this popular area to suit everyone’s tastes. Try the Herbera Bakery for sweet treats, like traditional, swirl-shaped ensaïmada pastries. Family-pleasing restaurants include Magi24, where you’ll find dishes like stacked burgers, stuffed tacos and cheesy nachos in a casual, contemporary setting.

With its all-inclusive package, Grupotel Mar de Menorca invites you to fully immerse yourself in your stay. It’s also just a four-minute walk from the white sands of Cala Canutells, so you can switch from sunbathing by the shore to lounging on the hotel’s solarium in minutes. Head to the snack bar, which is right by the pool, to refresh with a cocktail or a cool treat like ice cream.

The one and two-bedroom apartments have a bright, energetic ambience, with white walls and furnishings, plus pops of colour from pillows and linens. A kitchenette, dining area, comfy sofa and washing machine make sure you’re well equipped for a fuss-free family break. You can even dine out on your balcony or terrace, watching the palms in the hotel grounds swaying in the warm breeze.

Kids will love racing around in the onsite playground or tackling the slides in the pool. There’s even a Swim School during the summer months, where they can take professional lessons. Keep an eye on them from the Lobby Bar, which overlooks the pool, with a freshly brewed tea or coffee.

Create a home away from home in your apartment at Hotel Cala Galdana. All apartments are in the resort’s peaceful Village d’Allandar and have interconnecting rooms, so you can relax together but still have privacy. Let the kids lounge on the sofa while you unwind with a coffee on the terrace. Come lunchtime, bring everyone together for homemade paella in the dining area – you can have a go at cooking up the local dish in your fully equipped kitchen.

If you’d prefer to eat out, stroll to the Es Llaüts Buffet Restaurant to marvel at the show cooking and share a platter of classic Mediterranean dishes. To take in the glow of the sinking sun, dine on one of the restaurant’s terraces. There’s nightly entertainment here too, so order lemonades for the kids and a glass of something fruity for the grown-ups.

The resort has a splash pool and a full-sized swimming pool, plus you’re only minutes away from the beautifully clear waters of the Cala Galdana beach. Trying to carve out time for yourself? Daily entertainment and a mini disco will keep little ones occupied while you slip away to the wellness centre, complete with hot tub, sauna and massage therapies.

For serene sea views, take a seat in the Casa Nostra restaurant at Melía Cala Galdana. Dine on out on the lively terrace and try family-pleasing Italian fare, like pizza cooked in a traditional oven. Afterwards, treat yourself to a nightcap – or hot chocolate for the kids – in the Lobby Lounge, where the menu includes the likes of speciality gins and premium vodkas.

Rooms here invite you to enjoy a lazy lie-in (or early night) with ultra-soft Dreammaker beds. In the morning, revitalise by stepping under your rainfall shower and pampering yourself with Melía toiletries. Some spaces have views over the Med too, so you can wake up with a coffee and watch the waves lap against the shore.

Little ones have the chance to get crafty or dive into a sporting event at the hotel’s Mini Kids & Co Club. Meanwhile, adults can work up a gentle glow with a pilates session, or grab a sunbed by the pool. By night, the resort keeps each member of the family entertained with DJs, acrobatic shows and a children’s disco.

Book a Swim Up Premium Apartment at Zafiro Menorca for direct access to the water via your terrace – ideal for early morning swims and keeping an eye on the kids while they play. With three other pools to choose from at this hotel, you’ll likely all have a favourite. The main one has a climbable ‘wet bubble’ that shoots jets of water, while the kids’ pool has fun slides and a pirate ship. Ahoy matey!

If you can tear them away, children can join hotel mascot Yzzy at the Mini Club for sporting fun, craft workshops or perhaps a jump around on the bouncy castle. Why let them have all the fun? Get your heart racing with table tennis and volleyball, or test your aim in an archery lesson. When relaxation beckons, try the indoor sauna and Jacuzzi.

Once you’ve all worked up at appetite, gather together at the Palapa Pool Bar. The menu includes easy picks like pizzas and juicy burgers as well as dishes such as zesty Hawaiian poke. Relax in the shade of the terrace with a chilled drink, perhaps an Aperol Spritz topped with ice – little ones can slurp away on an ice cream.

Find peace and quiet at Hotel Port Mahón, a colonial-style hotel with views of the port and surrounded by swaying palms. Set in the quaint area of Maó, it’s away from the bustle of beach life, yet still within reach of sandy stretches like Punta Prima, just 20 minutes away. Take a dip in the hotel’s expansive swimming pool before a walk down the quayside, which is strewn with seafood restaurants delivering delights like fresh mussels and swordfish.

There are plenty of food options back at the hotel – the buffet restaurant serves up dishes from around the world as well as local flavours. For a lighter bite, snack on a pizza or salad at the bar, while you watch boats bobbing in the serene port. Stay close to home for a night of live music in the piano bar, where acts perform weekly.

Rooms are peaceful with varying views of the bay and the leafy courtyard. Book into accommodation with a balcony to enjoy a game of cards with the family or evening drinks with your other half. Plush beds dressed with lots of pillows and soft duvets invite you to rest up for your next day in paradise.

Make the most of the Menorcan sun at IBB Paradis Blau. Cala’n Porter beach, set in a sheltered cove, is just four minutes away, so you can all sink your toes in the sand in moments. You don’t need to go much further to explore. A 16-minute walk from the hotel brings you to the Xoroi Caves, a network of rocky corridors connecting to a terrace built into the cliffside. Entry includes a drink each and you’ll want to sip them slowly to take in the spellbinding sea views

Windows facing the cove or the surrounding rugged mountains flood your room with natural light, while a palette of crisp white and blue creates a relaxing atmosphere to return to each evening. Spend a little time on your private terrace or head upstairs to the rooftop pool, where there’s a separate section for little ones.

There’s no shortage of dining opportunities here. The hotel’s airy restaurant has a large terrace with views over the bay, and if you want to try local flavours, there are plenty of traditional tapas spots nearby. Rustic Bar Cala is just a three-minute walk away and serves dishes like crisp calamari.