Reviews of Binimar Apartments, Cala N Forcat, Menorca

Theft at Binimar!!!!

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

gaynor1

Comments:

After 5 fantastic trips to Menorca with my family we decided to try the Binimar apartments for a short October break.
The usual things to expect at this time of are flies everywhere, rain and little to do as the season is almost over. These alone cannot spoil a nice break in this lovely island. However, as visitors who spend a lot of money ot these resorts we do expect to be able to trust the people who are being paid to look after us.

Unfortunately on the last day of the stay I left my mobile phone in my room on departure. I realised this as I got onto the bus and asked the Thomas Cook Rep if I could pop back and retrieve it. This was refused by the rep who stated that there was not enough time to do this. To retrieve my phone would have taken around 5 minutes. We sat on the bus for 10 minutes before travelling a few hundred meters to another hotel to sit for a further 10 minutes, then travelled to the airport with plenty of time to spare. The Thomas Cook Rep assured me she would call the hotel reception immediately to collect the phone and she would have it picked at the hotel.
None of this happened so I called the Binimar myself when I arrived in the UK later that day, they asured me it had been mentioned to them and it would be delt with on the following Monday. As it happens, the phone had been taken by the maid service and over £100 used on the account in this short time. Worst of all I have pictures of my children on the phones memory stick that now is in the hands of some crook on the island. A further call to the hotel proved to be a waste of time as they now declared that they knew nothing about the situation and the Thomas Cook rep was useless, providing no support or help at all. After pumping thousands into the Spanish economy over the last few years I will not be returning after this episode.

cala n blanes

Overall Rating:

2/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2008

Tour Operator:

Other - Please Specify

Submitted By:

russell

Comments:

do not go here to this resort there is absolutly nothing to do>the food in the resort made me and the mrs ill!!!i,v just wasted a thousand pound on this holiday only to be swamped by 10 million fly,s in and around the restaurants!!!

It was our fourth visit to the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr A Beck

Comments:

It was our fourth visit to the Binimar and although we usually go at the end of June we had a later holiday in September this time. We travelled with our son who is now 12 and our parents. We have never had a bad holiday yet and always look forward to returning, but because we were going at the end of september was a little worried the weather wouldn't be as good. I can only say it was a much better time of the year to visit without a doubt, the sun never stopped shining during the day but it was cool enough to have a decent nights sleep different to our previous visits when nightime was hot and sticky. You could get a sunbed at any of the pools no matter what time you went, no getting up at the crack of dawn like previous years. The entertainment was really good and could be enjoyed after a meal and drink in the centre of cala n forcat as tables were easily available both in the resort square and back at the complex. Usually we have to rush our meal in the evenings to get a table at either because of the crowds. All in all it was a much more relaxed holiday making it even better than before and can only recommend that if possible forget the crowds and heat of high season and opt for a far more laid back time in September I know we shall certainly be visiting at that time of year again and at half the price the holiday normally costs.

we have just returned from the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

kirsty78

Comments:

we have just returned from the binimar and had a fabulous time!

our first impressions were not good because we were delayed so arrived a lot later to discover we had an apartment overlooking the road/wasteground and there are no tv's to hire. we were worried about our 2.5 year old son unlocking the gate to the terrace and getting onto the road so we asked to change apts but were told they didn't have any until the monday (we arrived friday) in the end we didn't bother and actually found we liked the privacy and quietness of our apt.

RESTAURANT

we went all inclusive and were very glad we did as the food was wonderful. they had a brilliant selection and i didn't get bored at all with the food. my only complaint was the apple juice tasted like it had about ten spoonfuls of sugar added to it so i just stuck to the other soft drinks and it was fine.

the service was very good too...yes they will take your plate as soon as you've finished but this didn't bother us and we certainly didn't have any of the staff hovering around us until we had finished.

MAID SERVICE

the maids came in most days and were ok but they didn't clean the floors very well or wipe the table etc. i don't know if they were supposed to but last year we stayed at the sea club apts and the maids did everything..bless them.

COMPLEX

we found the entertainment to be a bit cheesy but the kids disco was ok. they advertised a couple of things i'd have liked to see but couldn't as they didn't start until 10 and my son was in bed by then. we mainly went into town after dinner anyway.

the kids playground is fab...my son would have stayed in there all day had we let him.

this place has 3 pools, however we only tried the one that has the bridge once as we found the water too cold and after half an hour my son was shivering.

RESORT

we really like cala n forcat because there are lots to do for kids and adults alike, and even though it doesn't have much of a beach, it has a gorgeous little cove area which you can get to through the town. we hired a car and went to the lovely beaches in cala n bosch, cala en porter, cala galdana and son bou, all really worth a visit.

we hope to come back next year

we recently returned from the...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs H Rowe

Comments:

we recently returned from the binimar hotel in menorca. the hotel was adaquate for what we needed. 10 of us travelled inc 4 children. the pools were good, the evening entertainment was quite poor. there wasnt a lot to do in the surrounding area which meant all day every day was spent around the pool !! we lost some luggage on the way out which has never been found, we advised the rep of this who was completely unhelpful, we contined asking for help on a daily basis a few times a day & still received little help. after waiting 4 days another rep finally started to help us with this matter but we think by the reps not helping straight away led to the luggage never being found.

lovely apartment complex the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Miss J Brown

Comments:

lovely apartment complex the photo's in the brochure don't do it justice, spotlessly clean and the staff cannot do enough for you. no problem with sunbeds at this time of year but imagine it will be extremely busy in the summer. we were in 112 which overlooks the main bridge pool which gets the sun all day. nightime enterntainment was a bit cheesy but some of the tribute acts including westlive and fakethat are really good!



we were self catering so can't recommend food in the aprtments but our favourite restaraunts in the resort were Es Forn, Los Delfines and the Forum. Tropical Kiss does fantastic cocktails. Calan Forcat is not particularly big but there was plenty going on and it felt very safe.



overall a great holiday but will be heading somewhere a bit busier next year.

Just come back from a wonderful...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Miss K Jamieson

Comments:

Just come back from a wonderful holiday at the Binimar. I went with my boyfriend and as it was my first time abroad i didnt know what to expect. Everyone was really friendly. We went all inclusive and our only complaint is that the all inclusive bar was to small and didnt have snacks so if you wanted a snack you had to go to the main restaurant. The food was lovely and the resort itself was clean and well maintained. The entertainment at night was good, you had the usual shows for the children which they seemed to enjoy and then tribute acts for the adults. The temptations were brilliant as were the Bejing Acrobats.



I would highly recommend this resort for families and couples wanting a quiet holiday.

Just back from the Binimar with...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Mrs J Downing

Comments:

Just back from the Binimar with my husband and my six month old.

We had an amazing holiday. Yes, the entertainment is a little tacky, but you certaintly don't get bored.

If you have a young family you can be guaranteed your children will LOVE IT. My son was a bit young- but the older children were dancing and singing along with the entertainment each night.

The hotel entertainment consisted of acrobats, tribute acts, the usual bingo and shows for the kiddies. You will find that the same acts play in different venues throughout the resort as well. I'm nearly sure Westlive had groupies who came to our hotel!

The food it lovely and there is always something to eat- even for the most fussiest eaters. My only criticism is that the snack bar by the pool is not All Inclusive. If you want lunch you need to get dressed and go downstairs to the buffet restaurant. The meals at lunch were virtually the same as dinner so it was a little heavy and could get repetitive. I would have preferred a light snack by the pool tp soak up that sun!!!

Also there are no lifts to the restaurant which was a little awkward with our baby.

If your child is a light sleeper but you want to enjoy the entertainment ask for a ground floor room overlooking the middle pool. This is where all the night time shows are put on. Be warned- they can be quite loud! While our son slept in the apartment we were able to sit right outside the door and still take in the shows.



The apartments are fine and really clean, but they really need air conditioning and could do with updating.

I would not hesitate to recommend anyone to go here. As long as you are not expecting 5 star luxury and don't mind a bit of laugh at the entertainment you will enjoy it.

I've just returned from the...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Gav Ellis

Comments:

I've just returned from the Bininmar apartments in Menorca, with my wife and our 11 month old daughter.

We went all inclusive, the meals had great choice and always bringing out fresh food. They have a hot plate on at lunch and dinner which cooked fresh meat, different every meal time. there was something there for even the fusiest of eaters!

The 2 problems with the all inclusive are.

1- You can't get any snacks during the day in between meals just a burger or a plate of chips instead you had to wait till lunch (1pm) and have a full meal which isn't what you want eveyday.

2- The bar in which you have to get all your inclusive drinks is far too small espesially when night entertainment is on. You seem to wait for a long time to get a drink, and when you do, on all inclusive you can only get half pint plastic cups which don't last! They make you wear wrist bands for all inclusive, so you should be able to go to any of the bars to get a drinks but they make you go to the little show bar.

I think these are teehting problems as been told it's the 1st year of all inclusive for the apartments.

Entertainment at night is brilliant for the kids ours was far too young to apreiciate it but the older kids loved it! I'm only 25 but they could do with turning the music down just a notch or two you couldn't talk because the music was too loud. The entertainers were great for the kids really energetic and full on beans, they should just tell 1 of them nicknamed "disco Stu" to stop singing, tone def would be a masive understatement but he tried i suppose!

Every other night they had a hired act in and they were really good Fake That (a take that tribute band if you hadn't of gueesed!) a magician, white magic, who wasn't brilliant but the contorsionist ( think thats how you spell it) who works with him was amazing and we watched the super supremes and yes they were a supremes tribute they were really good singers (made up slightly for "disco Stu").

The apartments themselves were small and basic but you don't spend alot of time in they were ideal for you needed cleaned everyday, if you have a pushchair state to your travel agent or whoevere you book it with you get a downstairs appartment ours was upstairs (a travel agent cockup!) and it was hard work lifting the push chair up and down evrytime you wanted to go to your room.

All in all the the holidays was a good and would recommend it to any family a very clean and tidy complex all three pools were good and clean.

I would say if they can get the little teething problems sorted out on the all inclusive, i would definaitely say go all inclusive as it is certainly not cheap due the rubbish exchange rate we are getting at the moment we went for a week all inclusive and somehow still manged to spend in excess of £300 and only once had lunch out of the clomplex

I have just returned from the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

 R Westmoreland

Comments:

I have just returned from the Binimar for the 2nd time this year and felt the need to comment after reading the review from a miss walker.

I had never been to Menorca before June 2008 and was thrilled with the whole experience. We have a 3 year old daughter who not like some of the other children was allowed to 'run riot', she is a very well behaved little girl, and i am certainly not a 'chav' for taking her there, and although i have never been to butlins in my life cant see it been a bad thing as this complex is totally family orientated.

The whole idea of this complex is about the children, which in my opinion is what you go on holiday for.....what is the point of taking small children on holiday if they cant have fun and there is nothing to do for them? The reps here....especially Aleasha are fantastic with the children dancing and playing games, but there is also time for adults too (there is a different show on every evening from tribute bands and acrobats).



Yes i agree the rooms are small, but you sleep there nothing more! The rooms are hot as they dont have air conditioning, however fans can be hired from the complex or bought form the asda down the road for 12 euros. There is a maid service 7 days a week, and the complex itself is spotless.



There are 3 huge pools located around the complex, again all clean and tidy, and yes people do reserve beds at times, but this was never a problem, and there was always enough room and enough beds.



The staff here are very very friendly, nothing is too much trouble for them, and you are located right in the heart of the town. Majority of the bars ect have enclosed kids play areas all supervised. Our daughter loved going out to eat knowing she could play for hours before and after her meal, and it was good to see her happy knowing she was safe.



I cannot comment on the food at the Binimar as we have been self catering on both occasions, however they have a takeaway service called 'la tasca' and i can recommend the pizza and the roast chicken!



All in all this was another fab holiday at the Binimar, and i can see why families come here year after year. This complex should not be a 2 star!

I have just come back from my...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

seanbeanisfit

Comments:

I have just come back from my second holiday at the Binimar (we stayed there in August 2007-see that review on this site too!)

From the minute we checked in at Liverpool John Lennon Airport the service was faultless.We were travelling as two families each comprising of 4-and the check-in staff seated us together on the plane.We couldn't believe how quickly the bags were unloaded off the plane when we got to Mahon Airport-we were still walking through to baggage reclaim and they were already on the carousels! The coach transfer was also super speedy-45 minutes or so.



I had emailed the Binimar previously requesting a middle pool ground floor apartment and was very pleased to be given exactly that-267 to be precise.We arrived at 1am,dumped the bags and went straight out for a late drink.We went up to Lorenzo's (just before the blue arch) for two then back to 61 bar for one(bit more pricey),getting back to the apartment at 3.30am.



I woke up the next morning just after 8am,looked out of the patio doors to find most of the sunbeds already bagged-so thought if you can't beat 'em,join 'em-and duly took residence right outside my patio. The sunbed situation was much worse this year than last-by 9am there was not a sunbed to be had around the middle pool-most had towels put on them but were empty till 10-30 or so when the entertainment kicked off. At least the whole time I was there,if I was up early I actually stayed on the sunbed and didn't bugger back off to bed like most folks. There are signs saying that towels will be removed before 9am but this was never the case.On speaking with one of the Reps,he said that one day he was so fed up of seeing beds getting reserved that he removed all the towels and took them to Reception only to be threatened with physical violence by irate holiday makers! After that needess to say he didn't bother removing them! Who ever said the Germans are bad at the sunbed bagging was having a laugh-most of the people at the Binimar were British or Irish and are obviously past masters in the art of putting on the towels!



Any way back to the Apartment itself-it was perfectly adequate-after all we only showered and crashed in it-it was brill having one right by the pool though-once the fridge was stocked with cool drinks and ice lollies it was great for the kids to nip in and out. Yes it was boiling of a night and no there wasn't any aircon,but we left both sets of doors open so the breeze could blow right through and that was fine.We felt perfectly safe doing that as it is a family orientated hotel and the security guard seemed to sit near our apartment most nights any way in beween his walks round the complex.



While some people may not like having the reps organising activities all day (10.30-5 ish) and music,there are three pools at the complex and the middle pool is the one where all the action takes place-so you do have the choice of two other pools to use,it didn't bother us in the least and we spent al of our time there.We didn't bother going to the beach-we went last year and found it small,crowded and overpriced.



It seemed a lot quieter this year than last-this could be down to the strength of the euro?There was a whole new square (Plaza Domingo) full of different themed pubs with a central stage just up before the blue arch-we went there one night for a change,but most nights we were back in Frankies (the owners Jose and Raoul and karaoke king Frankie all remembered us from last year which was great),we also went to Foxy's owned by the lovely Amanda and Giles,Lorenzo's and Tropical Kiss. All outside music has to stop at midnight due to local laws - the Police are quite strict-but the bars are generally open until the last person wants to go home-which in our case was usually round the 3-4am mark! On the rare occasions we had stayed on the Binimar of an evening it was the same-but the bar stopped serving at midnight too and it was quiet by 1am at the latest.We did see the Westlive,Fake That and the Bejiing Acrobats and they were all pretty good,especially as we could see it all from outside our apartment so it made for a cheap night in as we just used booze from our fridge!



Restaurant wise we ate in La Tasca (onsite at the Binimar-would thoroughly recommend the Greek salad there-also available as a take out during the day-it was just fab)Sa Caldereta-pricey but nice,Haiti-ok but we waited AGES both to get served and for our food,Daisy-set menu great value,the chinese set between the two gift shops and Giovanni's (through the blue arch,first left past the water tower and about 500 yards on the right hand side)where you could get a lovely 3 course set meal for 7 euros-you have to ask for it as they don't promote it!We also had breakfast a couple of times at Jimmy Hills-great value at around 4 euros and 2.50 euros for a kids breakfast.There are plenty of places to choose from-these are just the ones we liked the most.



Like any holiday it is what you make of it and everyones tastes/opinions are different,but we really enjoyed it and would stay at the Binimar again-we met up with people staying at the Roc Oasis Parc next door and went over to sit round their pool a few times for a change.Their apartment was slightly better in that it had a ceiling fan,and did happy hour every night between 5 and 6,but the pools were nowhere near as good as the Binimar. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Binimar or Cala en Forcat as a whole-I think it is brilliant for families-really safe,and as lively or as quiet as you want to make it-plus you come home with a fab tan due to the superb weather!



Am seriously deciding whether to go for the hatrick next year....watch this space!

Everyyear i go to the binimar...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2005

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss K L Root

Comments:

Everyyear i go to the binimar (Thats the reason i put the year in as 2005)

Ive been going for 8 years and this is my 8th year.

Im going in september.



The binimar is an amazeing resort and i strongly reccomend it to familys with or without children. There is alot of entertainment on site.

We have staryed around all three pools but the more entertaining one is the one in the middle. Its stage noice stops at about 12pm.



I highly reccomend hireing a car and going for some off sight sight seeing, as i have done for the past five years.

I will come back to binimar in the future and i will reccomend it to anyone.





10/10.

Well what can I say another...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs Donna Newman

Comments:

Well what can I say another great year at the binimar 13th time (sad according to some people) but wise, why spend all that money on a holiday your not sure your going to enjoy. Must say if your looking for a quite time around the pool you will not get it here, so be prepared to get wet by the kids. Apartments are not a great size but all we do is sleep in there & no air-con but after the first few days you get used of it. Things going on all day around the binimar you can take it or leave it. Agree with Anne Travis who i meet here 3 times The forum is a nice place to eat & a few others around the resort The chore & cala blanes which is on the roundabout. The only downside is since going all inclusive that means no where for the teenagers & adults to go after midnight, so you need to go out of the binimar but only 5 mins away not to far to stagger home. Already booked for next year so will se the same old faces again & can't wait.

Well what can I say another...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Self Catering

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs Donna Newman

Comments:

Well what can I say another great year at the binimar 13th time (sad according to some people) but wise, why spend all that money on a holiday your not sure your going to enjoy. Must say if your looking for a quite time around the pool you will not get it here, so be prepared to get wet by the kids. Apartments are not a great size but all we do is sleep in there & no air-con but after the first few days you get used of it. Things going on all day around the binimar you can take it or leave it. Agree with Anne Travis who i meet here 3 times The forum is a nice place to eat & a few others around the resort The chore & cala blanes which is on the roundabout. The only downside is since going all inclusive that means no where for the teenagers & adults to go after midnight, so you need to go out of the binimar but only 5 mins away not to far to stagger home. Already booked for next year so will se the same old faces again & can't wait.

We went as a party of 6, four...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

Freedom Direct

Submitted By:

Mr L Bolton

Comments:

We went as a party of 6, four adults and two teenagers, occupying two apartments, on the all inclusive basis. I shall focus on the all inclusive aspects in this review.



The advantages of going all inclusive were that it was convenient not having to carry any money, mealtimes were very fast (good for kids) and you could easily stick to your (prepaid) budget. However, if the above are not huge priorities for you, I do NOT RECOMMEND the all inclusive deal.



I doubt that the all inclusive price actually saved any money. Remember that food is reasonably priced in Menorca anyway and alcoholic drinks from the local and on-site shops are much cheaper than in the UK. So I'd give the Binimar's all inclusive deal a neutral rating on cost.



The main disadvantage was being restricted to the same buffet restaurant (the all inclsive restaurant is canteen style) for three meals a day. This restaurant becomes rapidly boring. It also means that you are more likely to stay on site all day to take advantage of the all inclusive facilities that you have all ready paid for.



With hindsight, I would strongly recommend the self-catering or B&B options. There is a good little general shop on site and plenty more supermarkets, souvenir shops and bars a few steps outside the hotel entrance. If you want to find a nice beach, you will have to venture further way.



The Binimar complex was clean throughout, the three pools were very good, there was no queuing and the whole place was laid-back and friendly. The little safe provided in the room was great for peace of mind - hire yourself a safe key on arrival.



There is an Aqua Park which you can easily walk to (or catch the 'turistic' road train to it). This park is located next door to Hotel Los Defines. The water park has several water flumes of various sizes which were great fun. Virtually no queuing at all and not too expensive (adults EUR 17 for an all day pass). There are lockers available in the downstairs cloakrooms - you just need a one Euro coin for this.



As most reviewers have said, Menorca is a great place for families, especially those with very young children.