Kassiopea

About Kassiopea

Kassiopea is a four-star hotel in Cala Blanca, on Menorca's south-west coast, a short drive from Ciutadella. It suits couples who want quiet evenings and easy days on the southern coves, and families who need space and a pool between beach trips. The setting is residential rather than resort-like, so the stay is calm, and the white-sand beaches of the Migjorn coast are a short drive away.

The property is a four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, a garden and free car parking, all listed among its facilities. It works well for guests travelling with a car, because parking is free and Ciutadella is 3.7 km away for dinner. Air conditioning, internet access and a terrace or patio are also listed, which helps on warm summer evenings.

Location: Ciutadella de Menorca

Cala Blanca sits on Menorca's south-west coast, a few kilometres south of Ciutadella, the old capital with its cathedral, palaces and narrow port. The coast here is the Migjorn side: limestone rock, white sand coves under pine and shallow water. Kassiopea stands outside the main resort areas, so the immediate surroundings are quiet. In July and August the coves fill early and the roads are busy; in May, June, September and October the same drives take less time.

A car is the practical way to reach the coves, the Naveta des Tudons and Ciutadella, and Kassiopea lists free parking on site. Buses on Menorca run more often in summer, with extra lines to the resorts, and the island bus operator publishes current routes. Taxis are another option for evenings in Ciutadella, 3.7 km away. Walking is limited to the immediate neighbourhood and the beach listed as nearby.

Rooms and facilities

The facilities list covers the practical side of a beach holiday: air conditioning, free wifi and internet access, a TV, a DVD and CD player, a hairdryer and toiletries. Couples can settle in with the terrace or patio and the outdoor pool, while families get a cot, high chairs, an iron and board and, in the units that have them, a washing machine and a dishwasher. Confirm with Kassiopea which room types include the kitchen equipment.

Some of what is listed points to longer, self-catering stays: a kitchen with an oven, microwave, toaster and coffee making, plus a fireplace for cooler months. Pets are allowed, which matters for guests travelling with a dog, and the garden and smoking area give extra space outside the room. Ask Kassiopea about arrival arrangements, pet conditions and whether the parking space is reserved, since these vary through the season.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is about 4-5 km south-west of Maó, and Kassiopea is 34.9 km from it in a straight line, on the far side of the island. A hire car collected at the airport is the simplest option, since the drive crosses the island to the south-west coast and parking at the hotel is free. Taxis wait at the terminal; buses run to Maó and, in summer, to the resorts.

From the port of Maó the straight-line distance to Kassiopea is 37.7 km, so arrivals from Barcelona or Palma by sea need a car, a taxi or a bus connection through Maó. Ciutadella, the western port, is 3.7 km away and far closer for anyone landing there. Flights and ferries are fewer between November and April, so check Kassiopea's opening dates before booking a winter crossing.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

The nearest coves are on the Migjorn coast: Cala Turqueta is 7.6 km from Kassiopea in a straight line, Cala Galdana 11.1 km and Son Bou, the longest beach on the island, 22.2 km. Ciutadella's old town, best seen at dusk, is 3.7 km away, and the Naveta des Tudons, a boat-shaped prehistoric tomb, is 5.9 km. Car parks at the popular southern coves fill early, and some have summer limits.

Food on Menorca is regional and unfussy. Mahón-Menorca cheese carries a protected designation of origin and appears on most menus, and the lobster stew known as caldereta de llagosta belongs to the north-coast fishing villages. British rule left a gin tradition in Maó, worth trying on a day trip. Around Cala Blanca and Ciutadella the choice runs from simple cafés to longer dinners, and much of the trade is seasonal.

A day from Kassiopea

Start early and drive the 5.9 km from Kassiopea to the Naveta des Tudons, the prehistoric tomb near Ciutadella, before the day heats up. From there, continue to Cala Turqueta, 7.6 km from the hotel, and swim before the car park fills; in high summer some southern coves have vehicle limits, so check the island council's rules. Return for the pool and the garden in the early afternoon.

In the evening, drive the 3.7 km into Ciutadella for the old town at dusk: the cathedral, the palaces and the narrow port where people gather as the sun goes down. Dinner in the town is easier than driving further, and the return to Kassiopea is short. A second day can take in Cala Galdana, 11.1 km away, or Son Bou, 22.2 km, for a longer beach day.

Practical tips

Menorca's season is concentrated: many hotels, beach bars, boat trips and seasonal buses close roughly from November to April, while Maó and Ciutadella stay open all year. Check Kassiopea's opening dates before booking outside May to October, and expect July and August to be busiest on the south coast roads. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax is charged per person per night by the accommodation, at a rate that depends on the type of accommodation and the season, lower in low season and for longer stays, with children under 16 exempt; check the Govern de les Illes Balears for current rates.

Questions about Kassiopea