Stella Marina Son Bou

About Stella Marina Son Bou

Stella Marina Son Bou is a beachfront hotel on the south coast of Menorca, set back from the sand at Son Bou, the island's longest beach. It suits travellers who want a self-catering base with the sea on the doorstep, a pool for cooling off, and a garden for relaxing. The hotel is not rated with stars and has no guest score, so the emphasis is on the practical facilities it lists rather than a formal category.

The hotel is a good fit for families and couples who prefer to cook their own meals and keep their own hours. The listed facilities include a kitchen, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine and iron, which make longer stays straightforward. There is air conditioning for the hot months, a fireplace for cooler evenings, and a balcony or terrace for sitting out. Free wifi and a safe are also listed, along with cots and high chairs for younger children.

Location: Son Bou

Stella Marina Son Bou is in the Son Bou area, on the south coast of Menorca. Son Bou is known for its long sandy beach, backed by dunes and wetland. The hotel is 1.3 km in a straight line from the beach itself, and the property is described as beachfront, so the sand is effectively on the doorstep. The area is low-rise and relaxed, with a handful of shops and eateries, though the hotel does not list any on-site restaurant.

The hotel is 6.8 km from Cala en Porter, a deep cove between high cliffs, and 9.2 km from Es Mercadal and Monte Toro, the island's highest point. A car is useful for exploring the south coast, where coves like Cala Macarella (11.7 km away) have car parks that fill early in summer. In high season, the beach and nearby roads are busy; in May, June, September and October, the area is quieter and the wetland behind the beach is good for birdwatching.

Rooms and facilities

The hotel lists a range of facilities that point to self-catering accommodation. Each unit appears to have a kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher, plus a washing machine and an iron and board. Air conditioning is listed, which is welcome in July and August, and a fireplace suggests the rooms are usable in cooler months. A balcony or terrace is available, and the property has a garden. The hotel also lists a safe, TV and free wifi.

For families, cots and high chairs are listed, and the hotel is non-smoking throughout. There is an outdoor pool and a private beach, which means you can swim in the sea or the pool. The hotel lists diving and horse riding nearby, but you should confirm with the property exactly which of these are included or arranged locally. Late arrivals should check the check-in time and how to access the room, as the hotel does not state a 24-hour reception.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 13.6 km in a straight line from Stella Marina Son Bou. A taxi from the airport takes about 20 minutes in normal traffic, or you can hire a car at the airport and drive. Buses run from the airport to Maó and, in summer, to some resorts, but there is no direct bus to Son Bou, so a taxi or hire car is the practical option. The hotel is in an urbanisation, so having a car makes shopping and exploring easier.

If you arrive by ferry, Maó port is 16.6 km away in a straight line. Ferries from Barcelona and Palma dock at Maó, and from there you can take a taxi or drive. The hotel is 1.3 km from Son Bou beach, so once you are at the property, you can walk to the sand. In winter, flights and ferries are fewer, and many hotels in Menorca close from roughly November to April; check with Stella Marina Son Bou whether it is open when you plan to travel.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

The nearest beach is Son Bou, 1.3 km away, the longest beach on the island, backed by dunes and wetland. The wetland is a natural area where you may see birds, and the beach is sandy and gently shelving, good for families. Cala en Porter is 6.8 km away, a deep cove between high cliffs with a village above. Cala Macarella, 11.7 km away, is a classic south-coast cove with white sand and pine trees; arrive early in summer as the car park fills.

Inland, Es Mercadal and Monte Toro are 9.2 km away. Monte Toro is the highest point on Menorca, about 358 m, with a sanctuary and views of both coasts. The island's prehistoric sites are part of the Talayotic Menorca World Heritage listing, and a talayotic village is 3.4 km from the hotel. For food, Menorca is known for Mahón-Menorca cheese, which has a protected designation of origin, and for lobster stew (caldereta de llagosta) in Fornells, but you will need to drive to find a restaurant.

A day from Stella Marina Son Bou

Start the day with breakfast on your terrace or balcony, then walk the 1.3 km to Son Bou beach. The beach is long, so you can find a quiet spot even in summer. After a swim, walk back to the hotel for lunch, or drive to Cala en Porter, 6.8 km away, and explore the cove and its cliffs. In the afternoon, drive to Es Mercadal and Monte Toro, 9.2 km away, and climb to the sanctuary for views over the island.

In the evening, return to the hotel and use the outdoor pool or the garden. If you have energy left, drive to Cala Macarella, 11.7 km away, for a late swim in the clear water, but remember the car park fills early and may have summer limits. Alternatively, visit the talayotic village 3.4 km away, which is part of the island's prehistoric heritage. End the day with a meal cooked in your kitchen, or drive to a nearby village for dinner.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April, so check with Stella Marina Son Bou whether it is open during your dates. July and August are the peak months, with the busiest beaches and roads; May, June and September are milder and quieter. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax (the ecotasa) is charged per person per night by the accommodation; the rate depends on the season and length of stay, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate with the Govern de les Illes Balears.

Questions about Stella Marina Son Bou