I’ve just got back from an indulgent 4 days staying at Villa Le Blanc Gran Melia Hotel, a luxury whitewashed haven on the south coast of Menorca that is the very definition of Mediterranean chic.
As the island’s first member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Villa Le Blanc is Menorca’s finest luxury resort, but it’s very much inspired by and in tune with the local environment.
Rather impressively, it’s the first net-zero hotel for both the Gran Melia company and the Balearic Islands. Plus, it’s perfectly located to discover what this jewel of an island has to offer.
Interiors
Inspired by the simple lines and sumptuous curves found in traditional Menorcan architecture, Villa Le Blanc’s interiors ooze relaxed sophistication.
A combination of light filled spaces, terracotta tiles, wooden beams and clay sculptures by local artisans add to its unique character, especially when the azure waters of the Mediterranean sea are always sparkling somewhere in the background.
Watch this reel for a tour of some of my favourite spaces
Rooms
The hotels offers 159 elegant rooms and suites with Menorcan arches that frame the dreamy coastal views. Every room has a private terrace to soak up the views, with some suites featuring hot tubs or swim up pools too.
We stayed in a jaw-dropping Junior Suite with private roof terrace. Every time I opened the door to the sight of the double width floor-to-ceiling windows it took my breath away.
Not only that but wherever you were in the suite, whether lying in the huge bed, soaking in the bath tub or relaxing on the sofa, you could see the sea. The calming white walls, elegant archways and sheer curtains that hid unsightly things like our unpacked suitcases were the perfect balance to the all-blue views.
From our balcony a spiral staircase wound up to our private sea view roof terrace where we had 2 Balinese daybeds (one shaded and one in the sun) with pool access.
The beach club-esque rooftop pool is reserved for adults only so this terrace was an utterly relaxing place to be.
The weather wasn’t great during our stay (which is why I’ve borrowed a few pics from the hotel to show you how it usually looks!) but we still managed to spend a couple of hours reading in our private sanctuary.
I can just imagine this being absolute bliss in the summer months when the pool bar is open and you are mere footsteps away from a refreshing dip.
Restaurants
The resort is home to 3 restaurants with a focus on authentic Menorcan cuisine, including S’Amarador, an outpost of one of Menorca’s most celebrated restaurants, which is renown for their lobster stew.
We dined at Nivi, the hotel’s upscale all-day dining restaurant, which has a magical ambience of an evening. The meal service began with a delicious tray of warm bread and dips and just got better and better from there. For my mains I went for a Menorcan Angus Steak that was cooked and seasoned to perfection and for dessert I took the advice of a fellow guest and ordered the Kinder Bar that was without doubt the best dessert I’ve had in ages.
The restaurant staff, and everyone we encountered throughout the hotel, were absolutely faultless. So friendly and helpful, we felt fully relaxed in their capable hands. (The delicious Hugo Spritz helped with the relaxed mood too!)
Breakfast is served each day in Nivi and is genuinely one of the best presented buffets I’ve ever seen. A huge array of fruit, salads, cheeses and pastries are arranged temptingly on wooden cake stands and platters with mini wooden ladles and tongs to match.
My dish of choice was the ready-made avocado, eggs & bacon that were constantly being topped up during the lengthy breakfast service. (Breakfast runs until 11am so there’s no need to rush out of bed in the morning.) The barista coffee was also excellent and staff were always on hand to make you another cup for you.
Spa
As we had some wet weather during our stay we took sanctuary in the hydothermal spa suite. The heated indoor pool plus steam room and sauna are free to use for hotel guests. As the facilities aren’t huge, reception recommend you book a slot in advance so that everyone doesn’t arrive at once.
Children are welcome in the mornings but the afternoons are reserved for adults only, so if you’re childfree and looking for some R&R this is the time to book in.
Kid’s Club
The great news for families is that this stylish hotel caters for children in an equally chic fashion.
Villa Le Blanc’s Montessori-inspired kids club is one of the cutest play areas I’ve ever come across. A range of neutral-hued wooden toys, games, books and crafty activities are divided into age-appropriate sections. Painting easels and aprons sit alongside scatter cushions, bean bags and tepees. The light-filled space felt clean and relaxing; I felt as comfortable in here as I did in the sophisticated communal areas.
Children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by an adult at all times but during peak season supervised sessions are offered for those aged 5 and over. I recommend you check opening days/times with the hotel directly when making a booking.
The hotel is also in a very family-friendly location as it’s only minutes away from sandy beaches and there are snack bars and mini markets within walking distance. While the hotel doesn’t have a specific children’s menu they make child-friendly meals on request and offer purees for babies.
I travelled to Menorca with my mum for a relaxing last-minute break but I can definitely see myself coming back with my little one for a longer family holiday.
Location
The hotel is located just 25 mins from the airport on the beachfront in Santo Tomas. As the hotel is situated in the centre of the island, pretty much all of Menorca’s must-visit places, such as Ciutadella, Mahon, Fornells and all the gorgeous beaches, are never more than 30 minutes drive away.
There is parking on-site and I would say hiring a car is the best way to explore the island, which was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993.
Villa Le Blanc offers guests a complimentary electric Audi for a day. Click here for booking details and conditions.
As we hadn’t arranged car hire in advance the hotel arranged for one to be delivered to us. I’d never driven on the continent before but Menorca was the perfect place for a first timer as the roads are quiet, well maintained and easy to navigate.
As it was raining we decided to head to Mahon for some retail therapy. A local blogger had told me about a family-run store in the port of Mahon where you can have Menorcan sandals custom made in under 10 minutes. My mum and I loved trying on the different colours and styles and choosing our favourite combination. We each came away with a pair of bespoke avarcas for just 30 Euros.
We also explored the whitewashed coastal town of Binibequer and the nearby picturesque cove of Cala Binisafuller. We were due to head to Coral Menorca near Ciutadella for dinner but unfortunately this beautiful beachfront restaurant was closed due to bad weather. We consoled ourselves with a room service dinner while we watched sunset from our suite instead and quite enjoyed our plan b!
If you don’t fancy driving the hotel is in the perfect location for hikers as it has direct access to the Cami de Cavalls, a historic walking trail that loops the island of Menorca.
My mum and I walked the trail between Santo Tomas and Son Bou and it’s a stunning walk along clifftops, country lanes and sand dunes. It’s a relatively flat 10km walk (there and back) and the spa is the perfect place to pop in and rest your feet afterwards.
Sustainability
Aside from the striking design and impeccable service, what sets this hotel apart are its sustainability credentials. The hotel has incorporated state-of-the-art facilities that allow it to reduce its environmental footprint and emissions, with the ultimate aim of carbon neutrality.
By utilising technologies such as biomass heating, the hotel is a benchmark in energy efficiency and is leading the way for a future of net-zero hotels.
It’s yet one more reason you feel really good when staying here.
More info
For more info and to book visit melia.com.
I received a media rate for my stay. All opinions are my own.
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