Ta3rtolas

About Ta3rtolas

Ta3rtolas suits travellers who want a quiet base in the Menorcan countryside rather than a resort strip. The three-star hotel is aimed at couples, families and small groups who plan to explore the island by car. Its listed facilities include a pool, garden, tennis court and parking, with Cala en Porter and Maó within a short straight-line distance. The setting is rural, outside the main resort areas.

This is a practical countryside stay rather than a polished resort. Ta3rtolas lists air conditioning, non-smoking rooms, a safe and free Wi-Fi, alongside a kitchen, washing machine and dishwasher that suggest self-catering flexibility. A garden, terrace and outdoor pool give space to slow down after a day at the coast, and free car parking removes the usual worry about leaving a hire car on the street.

Location: Alaior

Ta3rtolas is in the countryside outside Menorca's main resort areas. The nearest large town is Maó, 8.5 km away, and Cala en Porter is 6.1 km away. This is a car-first location: the coast, the capital and the airport are all short straight-line hops, but the lanes around the hotel are not a place for a casual evening stroll to bars.

A hire car is the simplest way to link Ta3rtolas with Cala en Porter, Son Bou and Maó. Buses and taxis can cover parts of the journey, but confirm current lines and availability with the island bus operator or the hotel. In high summer the roads to the south coast fill early; in spring and autumn the same distances feel quieter, although many seasonal businesses close from November to April.

Rooms and facilities

The listed facilities at Ta3rtolas include air conditioning, a bath, a safe, a TV and a CD player. Non-smoking rooms are listed, and free Wi-Fi is available. Some facilities point to apartment-style comfort for a longer stay, with a kitchen, oven, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher and washing machine. Treat these as listed features and confirm with Ta3rtolas which are in every unit before booking a particular room.

Couples may value the terrace and garden, while families can use the pool, tennis court and kitchen equipment to keep days simple. Guests arriving late should confirm arrival arrangements with Ta3rtolas in advance. The hotel also lists golf, diving, horse riding and water sports, which are useful pointers for planning activities, but check locally whether they are arranged on site or nearby. Non-smoking rooms are listed for those who prefer them.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 7.1 km from Ta3rtolas in a straight line. A taxi or a hire car collected on arrival is the direct option. Buses from the airport serve Maó, and from there a taxi can cover the last stretch to Ta3rtolas; check the island bus operator for current routes. In winter, flights are fewer, so match your booking to the airline timetable.

Maó port is 8.3 km from Ta3rtolas, and the town centre is 8.5 km away. Ferries from Maó link Menorca with Barcelona and Palma; check the operators for timetables. From the port, a taxi or hire car is the practical way to reach the hotel. Seasonal buses are more limited outside summer, so confirm connections before a late arrival at Ta3rtolas.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

Cala en Porter is 6.1 km from Ta3rtolas, a deep cove between high cliffs on the south coast. Son Bou, the longest beach on the island, with dunes and wetland behind it, is 8.4 km away. Both are straight-line figures, so allow for the winding lanes. The hotel lists a beach nearby, but these are separate outings rather than a walk from the door.

A talayotic village is 8.2 km from Ta3rtolas, and S'Albufera des Grau is 9 km away. Maó, 8.5 km away, is the place for a boat trip round the harbour, also 9 km from the hotel. Menorcan food is part of the draw: Mahón-Menorca cheese has a protected designation of origin, and caldereta de llagosta is a local lobster stew worth trying in a Menorcan town.

A day from Ta3rtolas

Begin with the prehistoric past: a talayotic village is 8.2 km from Ta3rtolas, so an early start gives cooler air. Continue to S'Albufera des Grau, 9 km away, for the lagoon, dunes and birdlife at the core of Menorca's Biosphere Reserve. Return to Ta3rtolas for a swim in the outdoor pool and a late lunch on the terrace before the afternoon heat peaks.

In the afternoon, drive to Cala en Porter, 6.1 km from Ta3rtolas, for a cove between high cliffs, or head into Maó, 8.5 km away, for the old town and harbour. A boat trip round Maó harbour is 9 km from the hotel, a calm way to end the day. Check seasonal timetables and book any boat trip ahead, then return to the countryside for an evening in the garden.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April, so check Ta3rtolas's opening dates before booking a winter or early-spring stay. High summer is the busiest period, when the south-coast lanes and Maó traffic are heavier. Menorca's sustainable tourism tax, the ecotasa, is charged per person per night by the accommodation; rates vary by season and accommodation type, children under 16 are exempt, and the Govern de les Illes Balears publishes the current rules.

Questions about Ta3rtolas