Playful and quirky-looking resort-style hotel on Menorca where Summer feels eternal
Menorca Experimental / Alaior / Menorca / Spain
There is something about full-service hotels. The kind of hotels where you have everything you might want or need within arm’s reach. And if this kind of resort-style hotel is boutique-sized I am beyond thrilled. Just like the case with this hotel, the Menorca Experimental.
The Experimental chain is growing slowly and has managed to create a unique niche in the market. It was started by three French friends back in 2015 and they keep adding hotels in great and often unexpected locations. This 43-key hotel was their sixth when it opened back in Summer of 2019.
This 19th century finca is located on the south part of Menorca, more or less in the middle of nowhere. When you arrive, you drive through a gate and then follow a narrow gravel road up to the main building. As soon as you enter the doors to the main building you are embraced by the warm, colorful and playful design of Dorothée Meilizchon.
Our room was situated in one of the side buildings and had that signature Experimental look. There is a quirkiness and a relaxed playfulness that I really like and which makes the design stand out among other design hotels. A soft pink base combined with pops of color and as always, the signature arch-shaped head board.
I wrote earlier that you have everything you need here and that is really the case. A great restaurant, a shop with some really nice stuff, a bar, infinity pool, spa with saunas and if you want to take a dip in the sea, a small pebble beach is located 10 minutes walk from the hotel. So arrive, check-in and enjoy.
Welcome to Menorca Experimental! You enter through this gate and follow the drive way all the way up to the old finca.
The main building where the reception, restaurant and spa are located.
This is what catches your eyes as you enter. A light space with splashes of color.
Right next to the reception there is a cute hotel shop. This is a feature you’ll always find at the Experimental hotels. They always have these great shops filled with a lot of stuff you want to bring home with you.
All checked in and heading to our room, which was located in the annex.
The hotel is filled with all these unexpected design features, like these abstract painted stairs.
Our spacious, colorful, playful room with the statement arch shaped headboard, which you’ll find in all Experimental hotels (at least the ones I have stayed at). Although the shape is always the same, the design always differ.
I love this soft pink color of the walls in our room.
Coffee maker from Swedish brand Sjöstrand.
Bathroom products from Swedish brand Lilla Bruket, from the small town of Varberg on the west coast.
How can an excellent day look, when staying at Menorca Experimental? Start the day with a slow jog or fast walk along the tracks just outside the hotel. There is a path that goes all around the island, Camí de Cavalls and this is part of that.
After the run, go for a morning dip in the infinity pool.
Head to main building for breakfast.
Breakfast is served both as buffet and á la carte.
I think this might be my favorite photo from our stay. Love the shapes and light that I managed to capture.
After breakfast, head back to the pool…
…for some swimming practice and/or relaxation in the shade.
Head into Ciutadella, the old capital of Menorca. A cute little town with colorful houses and narrow streets.
A great place for lunch/brunch is Nibs, located on Plaça d’Artrutx in Ciutadella.
They also have some really great sweet treats. Their banana bread was almost too delicious.
After lunch and “fika”, drive down to Cala Macarella and hike along the Cami de Cavalls
The views are spectacular and the sea increadibly inviting.
This little cove is called Macarelleta. I think this has to be the best beach on the island. We were on Menorca beginning of the season so we had the beach all to ourselves. Simply magical!
After some hiking and swimming in the sea, we drove back into Cituadella for early dinner. We got a recommendation from friends of the island to have lunch at Mexican inspired Katú. Really delicious!
Go back to the hotel and head downstairs of the dark and cozy spa.
Enjoy the sunset on the balcony…
…and end the day with a dip in the pool before retreating back to the room to call it a day.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…like full-service hotels with a resort feel, where everything is about lazy days in the sun. And if you on top of this like bold, colorful design full of quirky elements, you will love Experimental Menorca
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the bold design choices by Dorothée Meilizchon. She has an ability to crate spaces that are unique with colors and features you don’t see at every other generic design hotel. She manages to do this while also infusing a local touch to her design. The result are spaces you want to spend time in. A lot of time.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to explore the island. Even though it is tempting to just stay put, it would be a shame since the island has so much to offer. We fell in love with the small beach of
If you like this hotel you might also like:
Regina Experimental / Biarritz, France
Birch Community / Cheshunt, United Kingdom
La Mission / l’Île-d’Yeu, France
