Villa Roxana

About Villa Roxana

Villa Roxana suits travellers who want a self-catering stay with an outdoor pool and a garden, in a quiet residential setting near the mouth of Maó harbour. The villa is not rated and has no guest score, but the listed facilities include air conditioning, free WiFi, a washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, oven, toaster, coffee maker, refrigerator, TV, DVD player, iron and board, hairdryer, safe, cot, high chairs, bath, bidet, terrace, family rooms, non-smoking rooms and free car parking. This is a practical base for couples or families who prefer to cook and relax in private rather than eat out every evening.

The villa is in Es Castell, a town of Georgian houses and a small cove port at the harbour mouth. The straight-line distance to Es Castell centre is 0.8 km, to Maó (Mahón) 3.2 km, to Sant Lluís 4.2 km, to the port of Maó 3.4 km and to Menorca Airport 6.8 km. A car is useful for reaching beaches, coves and the Camí de Cavalls, but the nearest village is walkable for supplies.

Location: Es Castell

Es Castell sits at the entrance to Maó harbour, a natural harbour about 5 km long, one of the largest in the Mediterranean. The town was built as a Georgian barracks settlement during the British occupation of the 18th century, and its grid of streets, sash windows and the cove port of Cala Corb still reflect that history. From Villa Roxana, you can walk into Es Castell in about 10 minutes for a small supermarket, a bakery and a couple of bars. The harbour front has a promenade and a small beach at Cala Font, but the villa itself is not beachfront.

In high summer, Es Castell is less crowded than the southern coves, but the popular beaches of the Migjorn coast – Cala Galdana, Cala Macarella, Cala Turqueta, Son Bou – are a 20- to 30-minute drive. In the shoulder months of May, June, September and October, the town is quieter, the weather is warm enough for the pool and the roads are free of summer traffic. A hire car is recommended for exploring the island, but taxis from Maó or the airport are also an option.

Rooms and facilities

Villa Roxana is a self-catering villa with a kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, oven, toaster, coffee maker and refrigerator. The listed facilities include air conditioning, a washing machine, iron and board, hairdryer, safe, TV, DVD player and free WiFi. There is a bath and a bidet in the bathroom. The villa has family rooms and can provide a cot and high chairs, so it works for families with young children. The outdoor pool, terrace and garden give space to relax without leaving the property.

Guests arriving late should confirm with the property the check-in procedure and whether the kitchen is stocked with basic supplies. The villa has free car parking on site, so you can drive to a supermarket in Maó or Sant Lluís on arrival. The facilities listed do not mention a dishwasher or a washing machine in every unit, but the property should confirm what is available. The villa is non-smoking throughout.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 6.8 km in a straight line from Villa Roxana. A taxi from the airport to the villa takes about 10 minutes. Buses run from the airport to Maó, and from Maó you can take a local bus to Es Castell, but the service is limited in winter. A hire car collected at the airport gives the most flexibility for reaching the villa and exploring the island. The airport has several car rental desks in the arrivals hall.

From the port of Maó, the straight-line distance is 3.4 km. If you arrive by ferry from Barcelona or Palma, you can take a taxi from the port to the villa in about 5 minutes. Es Castell is 0.8 km away on foot. In winter, flights and ferries are fewer, so check the schedules with the operators. The villa's free parking means you can leave a hire car on site and walk into town.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

The nearest village is Es Castell, 0.8 km away, with a small cove port, a few shops and a promenade along the harbour. Maó (Mahón) is 3.2 km away, with its 5 km harbour, Georgian architecture, gin distilleries and the main market. Sant Lluís is 4.2 km away, a white village with windmills. La Mola fortress, a 19th-century Isabel II fortress guarding the harbour entrance, is 1.2 km straight line from the villa – a short drive or a walk along the coast. A boat trip round Maó harbour is 2.7 km straight line, departing from the port.

S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, the core zone of the Menorca Biosphere Reserve, is 9 km straight line north-east of the villa. The park has a lagoon, dunes, birdwatching and the Favàritx lighthouse. The Camí de Cavalls, the 185 km coastal bridleway, passes near Es Castell. For food, try Mahón-Menorca cheese, a protected designation of origin, and caldereta de llagosta (lobster stew) from Fornells on the north coast. The villa's kitchen lets you cook local produce.

A day from Villa Roxana

Start the morning with a swim in the villa's outdoor pool, then drive 1.2 km to La Mola fortress. The fortress was built in the 19th century to defend Maó harbour and has views over the entrance and the open sea. Walk the ramparts and the dry moat for about an hour. From there, drive 3.2 km into Maó and park near the harbour. Walk along the port, past the Georgian houses and the fish market, and take a boat trip round the harbour (2.7 km straight line from the villa). The trip lasts about an hour and shows the naval base, the islet of Llatzaret and the cliffs.

For lunch, buy bread, cheese and tomatoes from a shop in Maó and drive back to the villa for a picnic by the pool. In the afternoon, drive 9 km to S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park. Walk the lagoon trail and look for herons and ospreys. Late afternoon, return to Es Castell and walk to the cove port at Cala Corb for a drink. The villa's terrace is a good spot for an evening meal cooked in the kitchen. In July and August, book the boat trip in advance.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business – many hotels, beach bars, boat trips and seasonal buses – closes roughly from November to April. Check Villa Roxana's opening dates before booking, as the property may close in winter. July and August are the peak months, with crowded southern coves and higher demand for car parking. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax (the ecotasa) is charged per person per night by the accommodation; the rate depends on the season and the type of accommodation, is reduced for longer stays and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate with the Govern de les Illes Balears.

Questions about Villa Roxana