Las Tórtolas

About Las Tórtolas

Las Tórtolas is a countryside hotel on Menorca, suited to travellers who want a quiet base away from the coastal crowds. The property has an outdoor pool and a garden, with free car parking and free wifi listed among the facilities. This is a self-catering stay: the rooms include a kitchen, microwave, oven, dishwasher, washing machine, toaster and coffee maker, plus a balcony or patio and a terrace.

The hotel is rated three stars. It stands outside the main resort areas, so a hire car is needed for most outings. The straight-line distances place it 6.1 km from Cala en Porter, 8.4 km from Son Bou and 8.5 km from Maó (Mahón). This makes it a practical choice for guests who plan to explore the south coast coves and the capital by car.

Location: Alaior

Las Tórtolas is in the countryside of Menorca, not inside a resort or village. The nearest area listed by distance is Cala en Porter, a deep cove with cliffs and a sandy beach, 6.1 km away in a straight line. Son Bou, the longest beach on the island with dunes and a wetland, is 8.4 km away. Maó (Mahón), the capital above the natural harbour, is 8.5 km away. A car is the most practical way to reach these places; the hotel has free parking.

In high summer, the south coast coves fill early, and car parks can be limited. The countryside location means less noise and traffic around the property. In the shoulder months of May, June, September and October, the roads are quieter and the coves less crowded. Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April, so check the hotel's opening dates before booking outside the main season.

Rooms and facilities

The rooms at Las Tórtolas are listed with air conditioning, a balcony or patio, a terrace, a TV, a CD player, a DVD player and a radio. The kitchen includes a microwave, oven, dishwasher, toaster and coffee maker, and a washing machine and iron with board are provided. Toiletries and a hairdryer are listed, as are a cot and high chairs for families. The property is non-smoking and has a smoke detector and first aid kit.

Guests arriving late should confirm check-in arrangements with the property, as the hotel is in a rural area without a 24-hour reception desk. The listed facilities do not specify the number of bedrooms or bathrooms per unit, so check the exact layout when booking. Free wifi is listed, but signal strength in rural Menorca can vary.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 7.1 km from Las Tórtolas in a straight line. A taxi from the airport to the hotel takes about 10-15 minutes by road. Buses from the airport run to Maó and, in summer, to the south coast resorts, but the hotel is in the countryside and not on a direct bus route, so a hire car collected at the airport is the most flexible option. The hotel lists free car parking.

Maó port is 8.3 km away in a straight line. Ferries from Barcelona and Palma arrive at Maó; from the port, a taxi or hire car covers the short distance. Ciutadella, the old capital in the west, is further away and requires a drive of about 40 minutes. Flights and ferries are fewer in winter, so check the schedules if travelling between November and April.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

The nearest beaches by straight-line distance are Cala en Porter (6.1 km) and Son Bou (8.4 km). Cala en Porter is a deep cove between high cliffs with a sandy beach. Son Bou is the longest beach on Menorca, with dunes and a wetland behind it. Both are on the south coast, where the rock is limestone and the water is clear. A hire car is needed to reach them.

Maó (Mahón) is 8.5 km away, with the natural harbour, Georgian architecture and a gin tradition. A boat trip round the harbour is listed as a nearby sight, about 9 km away. A talayotic village is 8.2 km away, part of the Talayotic Menorca World Heritage site. S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, the core of the Biosphere Reserve, is 9 km away, with a lagoon, dunes and the Favàritx lighthouse.

A day from Las Tórtolas

Start the day with breakfast on the patio at Las Tórtolas, then drive 8.5 km to Maó. Walk through the old town above the harbour, then take a boat trip round the harbour (listed as 9 km away) to see the 5 km natural harbour and the Es Castell barracks. Return to the hotel for lunch prepared in the kitchen.

In the afternoon, drive 6.1 km to Cala en Porter for a swim and late afternoon sun. The cove is sheltered by cliffs, so the water is calm. Return to the hotel for an evening meal on the terrace. In high summer, arrive at the cove early to find parking; in May or September, the beach is quieter.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April, so check the hotel's opening dates before booking outside the main season. July and August are the peak months, with more crowds on the south coast beaches and higher demand for hire cars. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax (the ecotasa) is charged per person per night by the accommodation; rates change by season and accommodation type, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate with the Govern de les Illes Balears.

Questions about Las Tórtolas