Sa Luna

About Sa Luna

Sa Luna is a one-star hotel on Menorca's north coast, in the resort of Arenal d'en Castell. It suits travellers who want a simple, independent base with a kitchen and parking, rather than a full-service hotel. The property is listed with an indoor and an outdoor pool, free WiFi and a washing machine, which makes it practical for longer stays or families.

The hotel has one star and no guest score is given. It is a self-catering property, so you manage your own meals and cleaning. The facilities include a dishwasher, microwave, oven and refrigerator, which points to a stay where you cook and eat in. The location, 0.4 km from the sand, means the beach is a short walk away.

Location: Arenal d'en Castell

Sa Luna is in Arenal d'en Castell, a near-circular bay of pale sand on Menorca's Tramuntana coast. The resort has a handful of shops, cafés and a supermarket; in high summer it is busy with families and day-trippers. In May, June, September and October the pace is quieter, and many places close outside the main season. The hotel is 0.4 km straight line from the beach, so you can walk to the sand in a few minutes.

The nearest village listed is Fornells, 5.9 km straight line, a fishing port known for its lobster stew. Es Mercadal and Monte Toro are 8.3 km away. For the airport, Maó port or the southern coves you need a car or a taxi. The hotel has free car parking, which is useful because the north coast has fewer buses than the south. A hire car gives you access to the rest of the island.

Rooms and facilities

Sa Luna's rooms are listed with air conditioning, a fan, a balcony or terrace, and a kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, oven and refrigerator. This setup works well for couples or families who want to prepare their own meals. The presence of a washing machine and a cot (listed among the facilities) suggests that longer stays and guests with small children are catered for. Rooms are non-smoking and have a TV and free WiFi.

The hotel has an indoor and an outdoor pool, which are shared facilities. The listed balcony or terrace gives each room some private outdoor space. No room types or views are specified, so you should confirm the exact layout and floor when booking. The kitchen and dishwasher are practical for self-catering, but you will need to bring or buy your own supplies. Check with Sa Luna about the availability of the cots and the washing machine.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 17.8 km straight line from Sa Luna. A taxi takes about 20-25 minutes depending on traffic. In summer, a seasonal bus runs from the airport to Maó, where you can change for the bus to Arenal d'en Castell; outside summer, services are fewer. A hire car collected at the airport gives you the most flexibility, and the hotel has free parking. The straight-line distance to Maó port is 16.2 km, so a taxi or car is again the most practical option.

From Maó port, where ferries from Barcelona and Palma arrive, you can take a taxi or a hire car to Sa Luna. The bus from Maó to Arenal d'en Castell runs more frequently in summer; check the island bus operator for current timetables. In winter, flights and ferries are fewer, and some bus lines stop running. If you arrive by ferry at Ciutadella, the drive across the island takes about 40 minutes. The hotel's free parking is a clear advantage if you bring a car.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

Arenal d'en Castell, 0.4 km straight line, is a sheltered bay of pale sand with calm water, good for swimming and families. Fornells, 5.9 km away, is a fishing village on a long inlet; it is known for its lobster stew, caldereta de llagosta. Es Mercadal, 8.3 km away, sits at the foot of Monte Toro, the island's highest point at about 358 m, with a sanctuary and views of both coasts. The Favàritx lighthouse, 7.7 km away, stands on dark slate inside S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park.

The north coast around Sa Luna is windier and less developed than the south. Kayaking along this coast is listed as a nearby activity, 7.7 km away. The Camí de Cavalls, the 185 km bridleway around the island, passes through this area; you can walk or cycle sections of it. For the white-sand coves of the south coast, such as Cala Macarella or Cala Turqueta, you need a car, and car parks fill early in summer. Mahón-Menorca cheese is produced on the island and sold in local shops.

A day from Sa Luna

Start the morning with a walk to Arenal d'en Castell, 0.4 km from Sa Luna. The bay is calm and the water is clear; you can swim or walk along the sand. After that, drive 7.7 km to the Favàritx lighthouse, inside S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park. The landscape here is dark slate and heathland, with a lighthouse at the tip. You can walk the short trail to the cliffs and watch the waves. The park has a lagoon and bird hides; it is the core zone of the Biosphere Reserve.

For lunch, drive 5.9 km to Fornells, a fishing village on a long inlet. The port is lined with boats and houses. In the afternoon, drive 8.3 km to Es Mercadal and Monte Toro. The sanctuary at the top has views of both the north and south coasts. Return to Sa Luna in the late afternoon for a swim in the hotel's pool. In the evening, walk back to Arenal d'en Castell for a stroll along the bay. The hotel's kitchen means you can cook dinner in your room.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April; check with Sa Luna whether it stays open during that period. July and August are the busiest months, with more crowds and higher demand for car parking at beaches. 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 hotel, and is reduced for longer stays and in low season. Children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate on the Govern de les Illes Balears website.

Questions about Sa Luna