S Algar Hotel

5 readers found this review helpful

After reading all of the reviews on this page I was quite shocked and I was inclined to add my own comments.
I am 23 years old and as a family, we have been going to S'Algar, Menorca since I was 4 years old. I practically grew up there and it is a child's haven!!! I have never stayed in any of the local hotels, only visited for meals, entertainment, drinks, etc. We have always stayed in the self catering villas opposite the Las Palmeras hotel. There is so much to do in S'Algar (if you're active of course). The S'Algar Diving Club offers every sort of watersport imaginable. And even though the evening entertainment at the San Luis Hotel can be at cheesy some nights, it is still a good night out.
Right opposite these villas, there is the start of a path which leads down to a hidden alcove which has a small beach and fantastic snorkelling! There are no directions or maps to get there so it's a bit of hit and miss to find it. I got lost first two times but know the path like the back of my hand now. The views from the cliffs are extraordinary.
Alcafar is a great beach again with wonderful snorkelling and it is extremely safe for little ones to be running around everywhere. Punta Prima is a another fantastic beach. If you're up for a drive, the island's best beach by far is Son Bou.
The old island capital, Cuitadella, is absolutely wonderful and well worth the 1 hour 20 minute drive. The current capital, Mahon, is stunning with great shopping and fabulous markets. The harbour is something else and really breathtaking. If you get a chance, go to Restaurante Roma in Mahon, food is marvellous!!!
Also, the closest town to S'Algar, Sant Lluis is definitely worth a walk around and if you happen to be there in the last week of August, you're in for a treat as the Fiesta is amazing.
Menorca is a fantastic island for that perfect relaxing holiday you've always wanted. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are from being in Menorca.
My advice for the best holiday in S'Algar is to go self-catering and hire a car for the duration of you're trip as there is so much to see and do outside S'Algar.
I'm off again in July 2008! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

2 readers found this review helpful

Fabulous hotel - Clean & comfortable rooms, individually controlled air-conditioning, satellite TV, balcony, daily maid service, close proximity to lovely clean pool & sea (no beach, but there a lovely secluded beaches within walking distance. There's a great walk to Punta Prima if you're up for a good hour-long coast walk, which was very nice!).
The food is EXCELLENT! Plenty of choice at both breakfast and evening meal, and considering we had a vegetarian & someone with wheat intolerance in our group, there was something for everyone to enjoy every day. Great variety and really tasty, and being a buffet style we were all able to try dishes we hadn't had before, which was great. The dinners were really something to look forward to! Staff were really friendly and helpful and the hotel itself was lovely - nicely decorated, clean and well equipped. There is a spa open from 4:30pm, a bar with evening entertainment (usually DJ or live band), a reading room and table tennis.
The pool area is clean & pleasant, and looks right out at the sea. One thing I like was that the lifeguards check where you are staying; meaning that as only guests staying at the hotel can use the facilities, there's never a problem getting a sun lounger! There is a diving centre right by the pool which does a wide range of courses and excursions, from snorkelling and taster scuba sessions to full PADI courses. Two of our party did a "discover scuba" dive & were well looked after & had a great time.
There are plenty of places to sit outside and enjoy a drink of your own, which is good as S'Algar isn't blessed with many bars! S'Algar is not a resort for those looking for a holiday filled with wild nights out, but if you want a holiday in a clean, well-kept hotel, eat fabulous food and relax in the sun, this is the place for you! Was also really impressed that as we had a late flight on our last day, the hotel gave us use of a spare room at no extra charge at the end of the day, including clean towels, so that we could freshen up before we left for the airport. Highly recommended.

2 readers found this review helpful

Excellent hotel for couples wanting quiet and relaxing holiday. Good sports facilities locally, diving school opposite hotel.
Rooms were clean and comfortable, staff helpful and friendly. Food varied and plentiful. The resort itself was very quiet with pleasant walks. First class pool and pool bar overlooking the sea, also sea swimming from rock platforms.
I would recommend this hotel for couples wanting to relax without hectic night life.

First impression was what have we done! Apartments were ok although we had asked for a double bed and got 2 lots of twins. Also the loo had a habit of overflowing and the bath was twice filled with sewage due to drains backing up. Not nice.
Hotel staff were not very friendly and anyone on all inclusive is treated like a second class citizen. You have a seperate menu and if you look at the order board you will see you get served after the paying customers. They do not seem to appreciate the fact that you have paid in advance. There are NO daytime snacks available either other than ice cream. Great if you are on a diet! I lost over a stone in the fortnight with the walks and lack of food. The burger bar advertised does not exist anymore either.
We spent about a grand in the fortnight on eating out and food from spar to make sure the kids got a good breakfast because at las palmeras they are not geared up to cater for you. There were 2 hot plates to serve ALL guests so breakfast could be eggs and mushroom or eggs and vegetables (yes really). There is NO entertainment at this part of the complex. You will need to walk for 20 minutes down a steep hill to the St Louis hotel where there is very basic entertainment apart from on a Sunday when there is NONE. Getting back is a problem too as the "train" finishes at 10 which is when the entertainment has not really got going. We had a 3 year old with us and had to push the pushchair back up the steep slope which took about 20-30 minutes and included lots of steps on the way. No chance for disabled people.
We went at high season end of July/August for 2 weeks and wished we had only booked a week or even better not booked at all. I had read reviews but believe me this is an honest one and I would hope people will read it before booking. Our teenager (14) was bored and would have preferred to be at home which sums it up really. The pool at Las Palmeras is the nicest of the resort but is cold due to the wind which is ever present. What else can I say? Can I think of anything positive? Not really. Still we know not to book there again and also not to book with Thomas Cook whose rep there is vile. We have always booked through them but never again. Service with a sneer.

Lovely hotel but the evening meal dreadful, we ended up eating out after finding chicken not cooked through (blood when cut open) & after reporting this to head waiter got no comeback, if you like rabbit you will be o.k. as this appeared on the menu every night. Would only rate the food as two star.
Also beware of the steps after the cleaning staff have been mopping, my husband had a really nasty fall unaware of how slippery this made them. Reported this to reception & the rep but nothing was done about it. S`algar very peaceful & relaxing, spotlessly clean & nice walks if you don't mind scrambling over a rock or two.
Bus service cheap & reliable to Mahon & a visit to the old capital Cuitadella recommended. Menorca very pretty island & would return to explore further.

Spent 2 lovely relaxing weeks, Sept 2005, at the S'Algar Hotel. Found the hotel staff very friendly, helpful and hard working.
But don't expect to see any 'My Travel Reps' they can be invisible. The hotel staff sorted out a hire car for us instead, and we had 3 great days visiting the many lovely resorts on the island.
All areas of hotel and Lido very clean. Enjoyed the food at the Lido or Bakery some lunchtimes. Were able to use the fitness centre at San Louis Hotel. It is worth getting the early bus into Mahon, to wander or go to other resorts. Can't wait for Sept. 2006 when we are returning with Portland Holidays.

Good standard of accommodation with varied and excellent menu.
Lovely quiet resort, ideal for couples and those with young children.
Holiday marred by four hour flight delay outbound and three and a half hour delay inbound, which seems ridiculous for a two and a half hour flight!
Island of Menorca is by far the most beautiful and well kept of the Balearics.
Car hire recommended to get about and see the island. Can find only good things to say about both resort and Menorca itself - will leave comments on Airtours to your imagination!