Port Ciutadella Hotel

1 reader found this review helpful

I would not recommend this Hotel for a holiday in Menorca. I would suggest that this hotel specialises in making guests, other than those of Spanish origin, feel inferior.
It does not appear to make any allowances for guests arriving or leaving at all times of day. We arrived at 10 a.m after a great flight, wonderful reception from our Sovereign concierge and marvellous transport to our hotel, to be told by reception that our room was not ready.
Apparently the people occupying our room did not have to leave until 12 noon. This was because we had booked a suite, stupid of us I know, but as we had paid quite a lot extra for this extravagance to enjoy our holiday in style and make the most of our first day by arriving early in the morning as we were only staying for a week - we were made to feel as if the fact our room wasn't ready was our fault!
We were obviously not dressed for the sun and it was only at my husband’s insistence that we couldn't stay in our travelling clothes that the receptionist said we could change in the Spa.
We did that and left our cases with Reception and went out for a walk - returning at 12.30 to be told that our room was still not ready. At 1.30 we were offered a free drink after visiting Reception again - room still not ready!!! I should add that each time we visited reception we were not recognised and were asked what we wanted each time.
The suite was ready at 2 p.m. - four hours after arriving at the hotel. Before we were given the key however we had to prove that we had paid for a suite! An accommodation voucher was demanded which we had never had, so a photocopy of our tickets was taken because - she told us - the hotel was paid a bonus for the suite. I believe she meant that of course a suite cost extra.
Of course we knew that but surely it was not for us to prove that we had paid for it - surely their contract was with Sovereign and should have been sorted out with them if there was a problem.
Now feeling like complete criminals we found our way to our suite.
No gripes there - it was lovely - very contemporary so all furniture was of modern design - so no drawers or cupboards other than those in the wardrobe. The view was great and so suite did score highly.
During the first night in the suite an inspection hatch in the ceiling opened suddenly, very noisily, leaving our hearts pounding loudly in shock. We reported this to reception in the morning and we were informed that they would deal with it immediately.
Some hours later we returned to the suite to find nothing had been done, the hatch was still hanging down from the bedroom ceiling. Luckily the maid came in to clean the room, we pointed this out to her and she immediately got on the phone and it was fixed within minutes.
The following day I went to Reception to claim our passports and was again asked for an accommodation voucher - there was a note attached to our passports to say that we still hadn't provided them with this document. I'd had enough by then and phoned our concierge and asked her to sort it out with the hotel - which she did.
That evening we asked Reception to order a taxi for us. The receptionist said she would do it immediately. We waited outside for half an hour and my husband went back in to ask what the delay was. Surprise surprise a taxi had not been ordered for us. We walked!!!
Numerous times during the week we visited Reception - we had to get beach towels daily - on production of proof we were entitled to towels - and each time we were ignored because the reception staff were on the phone but as soon as any Spanish guests appeared they were attended to immediately before us!
I should point out that our Sovereign concierge was brilliant during the holiday helping us with information about the island - there was no way we would have asked Reception anything now.
The day before we left we asked our concierge if there was any way we could get a cold breakfast and maybe a cup of coffee before we left the hotel at 7 a.m. (not an unreasonable time) because the restaurant only opened at 7.30. We had booked seven days bed and breakfast after all and it was going to be a long day travelling. She said she would sort it out with Reception. We wished her luck!
She left a note in our room to say it was sorted and we could have a cold breakfast in the Restaurant at 6.30. Brilliant. We went down to the restaurant and of course there was no one there but they had left one light on. Maybe it was going to work. The cereals were there - but no milk. There was a plate of biscuits but no sign of coffee.
Never mind there was a juice dispensing machine - that was empty! No surprises there then.
O.K. enough about the hotel. Obviously don't go there unless you want to be treated like something nasty on their shoes.
The city of Ciutadella is wonderful. It is a brilliant place to see - walk round - shop etc. The harbour area is very picturesque and a super place to eat. We found a great restaurant Es Forat which served very good food. It was quite pricey but obviously a lovely place to eat and watch the world go by. You could choose less expensive items from the menu though and the service was still the same - excellent.
We hired bicycles from Velos Joan in Ciutadella itself at a cost of 18 Euros for two bicycles for a day. They were great and we really enjoyed our day cycling to Punta Nati (a lighthouse in the north of the Island) and to beach resorts quite close to the city. The one way system in the city itself is quite a nightmare though so we would advice walking with the bikes until you are clear of the city centre.
We also went to the trotting races close to Cala N Forcat which is held every Sunday evening at 6 p.m. Great fun. Even managed to win!! It was 5 Euros each with concessions for pensioners and children. Good value for all the family.
Hope this review proves helpful. Enjoy Menorca - it's a beautiful island - plenty to see - beautiful beaches and most of all lovely weather. If you want to stay close to the city which I recommend you do then choose another hotel and I'm sure you will enjoy your holiday.