Barcelo Hamilton Menorca

“Stunning Location”

Lovely hotel in a stunning location overlooking the harbour. It was a mid September when we visited so coming to the end of the season in Menorca. Despite this we received a very warm welcome and a cold glass of fizz. The hotel had also very kindly set up cold plates as we arrived after the restaur… more

Lovely hotel in a stunning location overlooking the harbour. It was a mid September when we visited so coming to the end of the season in Menorca. Despite this we received a very warm welcome and a cold glass of fizz. The hotel had also very kindly set up cold plates as we arrived after the restaurant had closed. We opted for an AI package (must wear wristband) which covered meals in the main buffet restaurant and snacks (crisps and peanuts). Breakfast and tapas was also included from the pool bar and you could choose lunch which carried a 50% surcharge. The main buffet restaurant carried a good selection of food options although not always to my taste I could always find something to eat. They also have a gluten free station which had its own special food including it own toasters & microwave etc. A good selection of drinks in the AI package excl black label, vintage spirits and selected cocktails. We had a pool view room on the 4th floor with a small balcony which had the sun on it most of the day. Housekeeping keep the place spotless. The rooms are compact, and the layout a little different, separate toilet and shower with glass sliding doors with the sink in the middle of the room. Saying that the rooms and extra large bed were comfortable and good quality cotton bed linens. Unfortunately the roof top bar was closed the majority of our stay as it was exceptionally windy and cold, but I can imagine it’s would be a lovely place to spend the time in the jacuzzi. There is entertainment ( a singer) in the bar most evenings which was very well attended. The staff are very warm and friendly from housekeeping to management. Special mention though to the reception team who were so helpful and always with smile. Not sure if it was the time of the year we visited ( September just after the children had gone back to school) but most of the clients here were retired. A lot were repeat guests, which is always a good sign. Cala Fonts is a lovely 5min stroll. It has a pretty small harbour with lovely bars and restaurants and would highly recommend. A very pleasant stay.

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“It’s all about the roof terrace!”

We booked a good deal months ago and our review reflects this. The setting is a lovely area, a few minutes walk from the pretty Cales Fonts, with dozens of restaurants. The Reception team were really welcoming and one lady went out of her way to help us secure a hire car delivered to the hotel … more

We booked a good deal months ago and our review reflects this. The setting is a lovely area, a few minutes walk from the pretty Cales Fonts, with dozens of restaurants. The Reception team were really welcoming and one lady went out of her way to help us secure a hire car delivered to the hotel one stormy day. We stayed B&B as prefer to eat in local restaurants rather than a buffet experience. Breakfast was ok but buffet cooked options under the lamps were hardly warm – freshly cooked eggs and omelettes were hot. We had one tapas lunch in the poolside bar and that was good. Many other TA reviewers have commented about the hotel – some areas are pretty dated/tired; our room on the top floor (fantastic views) showed a lot of signs of wear, but we expected this and it comes back to the price paid. Seaview rooms have spectacular views although don’t get any daytime sunshine (North facing) – we were aware of this as the view makes it, besides there’s the roof terrace to enjoy the sunshine. The open plan sink area is good, but needs more space to access the wardrobe / toilet / safe – only space for one person here at a time. The roof terrace is exceptional (and the reason for booking!) Incredible views over the inlet to Mahon harbour and the islands and we loved watching daily boat and ship activity. Lovely loungers, hot tubs and chill music – perfect for generous G&Ts and relaxing. The pool area on the ground floor is a compact size and as it’s surrounded by buildings on all sides, has restricted sunshine – we only used it once on a stormy day when the roof terrace was too windy. Would we stay again.....probably not although the roof terrace might entice us back.

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“Overall, would not go again.”

Overall a little disappointed; We arrived at the hotel and the service at reception was fantastic, we even had a welcome drink. We were on the 3rd floor and our room was facing the inside of the hotel so not a great view for us. Room was a little small and dated with marks on the walls and showe… more

Overall a little disappointed; We arrived at the hotel and the service at reception was fantastic, we even had a welcome drink. We were on the 3rd floor and our room was facing the inside of the hotel so not a great view for us. Room was a little small and dated with marks on the walls and shower head not so great anymore. Twins bed are our nightmare, whilst you go as a couple, it is really annoying to keep pushing the beds together. We had room service which was great. The TV was never working properly, kept glitching and/or black screen.... Despite a sunny weather, we had chosen a hotel with "inside swimming pool" as we knew it could be a little cold and wanted to relax in a warm spa/swimming pool if rain were to happen. To our surprise, the "inside swimming pool" is in fact not inside and definitely not warm! Only a glass roof but no walls, also the little restaurant next to it is open to outsiders so even if you are near the swimming pool, people kept coming in and out and checking the inside of the hotel/swimming pool. Both swimming pool are absolutely freezing. The rooftop is stunning and beautiful during the day and night but the "hot tub" were so cold the first few days. We think that someone must have complained because 2 days before we left, the water was warmer. Had to pay 40euros deposit to get towels... which is not nice and really overpriced. Rooftop Bar closed after the 1st day we were there and the bar downstairs did not open til 5 pm so not options to get a drink. You could get a drink from the restaurant next to the swimming pool but not great choices. Also, pasta of the day was Bolognese the entire time we were there.. just put pasta Bolognese on your menu if you are not going to change it anyway... A few minutes walk from the hotel and you have a little quay to visit with lovey restaurants, I would recommend. Food wise: Breakfast was quite nice but it was the same thing every single day with no Spanish speciality... Boiled eggs were still raw so decided to not get it after the 3rd day... Only marmalade available, no chocolate spread, no jam, no honey... We were there a few days before they were closing for 6 months and we could feel like they were only giving us left overs and what was remaining - fruits were not fresh, juices changed from freshly squeezed to concentrate... so really not nice at all. Diners were nice the first 2 nights and suddenly, we kept having the exact same things the remaining nights... it was cooked in a different way but we could tell. We would have a type of fish or meat under the hot lamp one evening and the same on the plancha the next day... Overall, food was decent, we only ate there every night cause we had paid for it being half board but several times we wondered if we should eat out. Also - no food tag ever!! This was the worst thing ever, more than half of the dishes presented did not have a tag so we had no idea what is was or what was in it. Being someone with allergies and food restriction, it was an absolute nightmare to get an answer. Finally, dessert were horrendous... I am sorry but this type of establishment, a decent dessert should be required. Half of them were imported and taste was just wrong... We ended up having the ice cream (when available, cause at the end of the trip, none were stored since they were closing) and fruits, which were not as fresh but canned fruits.. We had a massage done on the Wednesday and the therapist was amazing and really kind, only issue is that we wanted to be together and once again, since they were closing, she was by herself so we had to wait for each other to finish. The town near by 10 mins by taxi is lovely but you don't really need more than half the day to visit and it took us about 1h to get a taxi back to the hotel. Positive point is the staff, from reception, to kitchen and cleaners, everyone was fantastic and welcoming!

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“On the whole, avoid.”

In some ways this is a good choice of hotel. The location is good and some aspects, like the view from the roof terrace, are well worth it. We paid a lot for a sea view suite. It was OK, and the views were spectacular, but the glass walls of the shower and toilet might well put some people off. Bar… more

In some ways this is a good choice of hotel. The location is good and some aspects, like the view from the roof terrace, are well worth it. We paid a lot for a sea view suite. It was OK, and the views were spectacular, but the glass walls of the shower and toilet might well put some people off. Barcelo management admitted then hotel was not what they wanted, but they did not own the building and there was little they could do. But - and there a number of buts: 1 - The "hot tubs" on the roof terrace are not hot. We spoke with management and they said they were heated for a few hours in the afternoon if someone remembers to turn the heating on. 2 - No other pool is heated, and because they get little sun they are really cool. There are buildings all around and sitting by the pool is not a great experience. 3 - Breakfast is only moderately OK food wise, and sitting in the sun outside on the terrace was lovely. 4 - Dinner was a buffet. Not a great experience - we tried it twice as we paid for half board. Dreadful. There are, though some wonderful restaurants a short walk away in Cala Fonts. 5 - I'd not want a room without a sea view - they looked small and a bit dismal. 6 - There are at least two other seafront hotels in Es Castell, which looked much better choices. On a positive, there are daily entertainments in the lounge, some of which were a lot of fun.

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