Apartamentos Arco Iris

About Apartamentos Arco Iris

Apartamentos Arco Iris suits travellers who want a self-catering base on Menorca's north coast, close to a sandy bay but away from the busiest resort front. The apartments are listed with a kitchen or kitchenette, a washing machine and a terrace or balcony, making them practical for longer stays or families who prefer to cook their own meals. The property has an outdoor pool and a solarium, plus free car parking and free WiFi. It is not rated for stars and has no guest score listed.

The stay is in a ground-floor or first-floor apartment with basic facilities for independent living. Guests have their own cooking equipment, a fridge, a microwave, a toaster and a coffee maker. The complex has a garden and a terrace for sitting out. It works for couples, small families or groups who want a quiet residential setting rather than a full-service hotel. The nearest village or town is not given, but the Arenal d'en Castell bay is 0.9 km away.

Location: Arenal d'en Castell

Arenal d'en Castell is a near-circular bay of pale sand on Menorca's north coast. The area has a small resort with a few shops, restaurants and a beachfront promenade, but it stays quieter than the south-coast coves in high summer. The apartments are on Sollera 117 Punta Grossa I, a residential street set back from the seafront. The beach is 0.9 km away as the crow flies, so walking takes a few minutes. Fornells, a fishing village known for lobster stew, is 5.7 km away. Es Mercadal at the foot of Monte Toro is 8.7 km away.

In July and August the bay fills with families and day-trippers, but the apartment's location on a side street keeps the noise down. In the shoulder months of May, June and September the area is much calmer, and many of the seasonal beach bars and restaurants close from November to April. A hire car is useful for reaching the supermarket, the north-coast coves and the inland villages. Parking is free on site. The Camí de Cavalls bridleway passes near the bay for coastal walks.

Rooms and facilities

The apartments are listed with a kitchen or kitchenette, an oven, a microwave, a toaster, a refrigerator and a coffee maker. Each unit has a terrace or balcony, a TV, a fan, an iron and board, and a washing machine. The bathroom includes a bath and a bidet. Free WiFi is available. The property has family rooms and can provide a cot on request. A safe is listed, and there are smoke detectors. The check-in and check-out times are not given; guests should confirm these with Apartamentos Arco Iris directly.

The rooms are not described individually, so the exact layout and number of bedrooms should be checked when booking. The apartments are non-smoking. A cleaning service and laundry service are listed. The outdoor pool and solarium are shared. The property has a garden. For late arrivals, the reception hours are not stated; it is best to inform the management of your estimated arrival time. The apartments are on one level or have stairs; no lift is mentioned.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 18.3 km away in a straight line. By taxi the drive takes about 20-25 minutes via the Me-1 and the Arenal d'en Castell road. A hire car collected at the airport gives the most flexibility for exploring the island. Buses run from the airport to Maó and, in summer, to the north-coast resorts; from Maó you change for the Arenal d'en Castell bus. Services are fewer from November to April. The airport has car rental desks in the arrivals hall.

Maó port is 16.6 km away. Ferries from Barcelona, Palma and Ciutadella arrive there. From the port, a taxi to the apartments takes about 20 minutes. A bus from the port to the bus station in Maó, then a connecting bus to Arenal d'en Castell, is possible but slower. Fornells is 5.7 km away by road. Es Mercadal is 8.7 km away. The nearest area, Arenal d'en Castell, is 0.9 km from the apartments. In winter, flights and ferries are fewer; check the schedules with the operators.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

Arenal d'en Castell beach is the closest sandy bay, 0.9 km away. It has a gentle slope and calm water, good for swimming and families. Fornells, 5.7 km away, is a working fishing village with a sheltered harbour and a handful of restaurants serving caldereta de llagosta (lobster stew). Monte Toro, the highest point on Menorca at about 358 m, is 7.5 km away; from the sanctuary at the top you see both coasts. Favàritx lighthouse, 7.6 km away, sits on dark slate cliffs inside S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park.

The north coast has coves and headlands for walking and kayaking. The Camí de Cavalls trail passes through the area. Kayaking the north coast is listed as a nearby activity, 7.7 km away. The island's south coast coves, such as Cala Galdana and Cala Macarella, are a 30-40 minute drive. Mahón-Menorca cheese is produced locally and sold in shops and markets. The nearest supermarket is in Arenal d'en Castell or in Fornells. No restaurant or bar is named on this page.

A day from Apartamentos Arco Iris

Start the morning at the apartment with coffee on the terrace. Walk to Arenal d'en Castell beach, 0.9 km away, for a swim before the heat builds. The bay is sheltered and the water is calm. After a mid-morning snack at the apartment, drive to Favàritx lighthouse, 7.6 km away, on the north-east coast. The road ends at a car park; the lighthouse stands on dark slate rocks with a view over the open sea. Walk the short trail along the cliffs. The S'Albufera des Grau wetland is nearby for birdwatching.

Drive back towards Fornells, 5.7 km from the apartments, for lunch. The village has a harbour and a few shops. In the afternoon, drive to Monte Toro, 7.5 km away, and climb to the sanctuary for the island views. Return to the apartment for a rest by the pool or on the solarium. In the evening, cook dinner in the kitchen or eat at a restaurant in Arenal d'en Castell. The short walk back to the apartment is easy after dark.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April; check with Apartamentos Arco Iris whether it is open during your travel dates. July and August are the busiest months, with the hottest weather and the highest demand for car parking at the coves. The Balearic sustainable tourism tax (the ecotasa) is charged per person per night by the accommodation; the rate depends on the type of accommodation and the season, is reduced in low season and for longer stays, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate on the Govern de les Illes Balears website.

Questions about Apartamentos Arco Iris