Cristine Bedfor Mahón

Beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Mahon. The perfect base for a holiday in Menorca so you have access to the bars and restaurants in the evening. Within a 15 minute walking distance from a very nice beach but otherwise the island is very accessible from Mahon. We hired a car and can recommend Binibeca beach but its apparently very busy in the high season. Hotel decor is super chic and done very well. It's cosy but cool particularly in the small sitting rooms on the ground floor where you can sit and read, play chess or have a glass of wine. The restaurant is fantastic with a contemporary menu using all local ingredients. The chef was very friendly. The wine list is lovely and the atmosphere is romantic. There is a small courtyard garden which is lovely for a pre dinner cocktail and there are also drinks served around a small pool - perfect for a quick dip after a day on a beach. The clientele is polite and understated. Rooms are nicely decorated and the beds are comfortable. All rooms are very different from each other and we weren't lucky enough to have a balcony or a garden view but were otherwise happy. Probably the highlight of this hotel is the staff. Possibly the most friendly and helpful bunch I've experienced. Jose on reception and Jasper in the restaurant are two that stand out but everybody else was perfect too. We hope to visit again soon.

This small guesthouse (not a hotel) is on surface level cute but lacking in service, amenities and training of its staff. Clearly it has taken its design cues from Kit Kemp and The Firmdale Group - a very successful operation out of the UK/US. There is nothing Spanish about the hotel, it is more colonial English and they have carbon copied Kit’s designs from Crosby Street in NYC and her many hotels in London. But, that’s where the good part ends. The staff, particularly those imported from Indonesia and The Philippines still come with that air of incoherence, abruptness, aggressive and shortness of response who also lack in the cultural awareness and understanding of the hospitality industry. Odd, given in Asia service is generally top notch. It is obvious that this culture has been encouraged from the top down as it is across the board. In this guesthouse it’s a no, until it’s a yes. Ask anything and they immediately say NO. The rooms do not have phones. Your only method of contacting reception or concierge etc is via what’s app. Then you can just hope and pray that they respond. The pool is not a pool but a pond and good for them for at least managing to get some body of water on the property. Do NOT stay in Rooms 1 or 2. These rooms are ground floor and actually inside the restaurant and beyond having to face a crowd of diners whenever you exit your room, you will be kept awake with the noise of the restaurant as well as the morning silverware clanging about and staff making loud noises as they set up for service. My room also ran out of hot water for the remaining two days of my trip and the electricity kept shorting out. I was also charged for parking when I was never advised there was a parking charge. I expressly asked to speak to the manager about this and of course there was no manager, but as I had departed the guesthouse then charged my card. Thankfully American Express are able to refute it. The other rooms my co-travellers were staying in were on a higher floor but prepare for a rabbit warren to get to them. It’s charming but awfully confusing to find your way. Kit Kemp deserves all the praise for the design of the hotel which is all they really have to bank on. In fact, I’d recommend Firmdale take over the hotel given they’re trying so hard to be a Firmdale Hotel. Don’t bother with what’s app - it’s such a rudimentary way for this guesthouse to communicate with guests and your responses will not be answered in a timely manner. Each time I made a request, it took 30 mins for them to respond or receive it. I really wouldn’t recommend this guesthouse for a stay in Menorca. It’s poorly organised and operated. The staff roll their eyes at any request and are inconvenienced by their guests as opposed to going above and beyond to assist them. It’s really the antithesis of good hospitality. I’d highly recommend staying at a Firmdale Group Hotel if you would like the ‘English’ design but also want quality service and ou