Villa Solivent

About Villa Solivent

Villa Solivent suits travellers who want an independent, self-catering stay on Menorca's north coast. The villa is not rated for stars and has no guest score listed. It provides a kitchen, an outdoor pool and free car parking, making it practical for couples or families who prefer to cook and drive to the coast.

The property stands in Punta Grossa, a quiet residential area about 1.7 km straight line from Arenal d'en Castell's sandy bay. The villa has a garden, a terrace and a patio, with a fireplace for cooler evenings. It is not beachfront, but the bay is a short drive or a longer walk away.

Location: Arenal d'en Castell

Punta Grossa is a low-density residential zone on the north-eastern coast of Menorca, just inland from the circular bay of Arenal d'en Castell. The bay itself has a curve of pale sand, a promenade and a few seasonal shops and cafés. In high summer the beach draws crowds, but the villa's position away from the front keeps it quieter. In the shoulder months of May, June, September and October the area is much calmer, with fewer visitors and cooler winds.

Arenal d'en Castell lies 1.7 km straight line from the villa – about a 20-minute walk or a short drive. Fornells, the fishing village known for its lobster stew, is 6 km straight line away. Es Mercadal, at the foot of Monte Toro, is 9.6 km straight line. A hire car is useful for reaching the beach, the shops in Fornells or the supermarket in Es Mercadal. Buses run along the main road in summer, but services are limited in winter.

Rooms and facilities

Villa Solivent is a self-catering villa, not a hotel with standard rooms. The listed facilities include a kitchen with an oven, microwave, toaster and coffee maker, plus a washing machine, iron and board. There is a TV, a DVD player, a CD player and a radio. Free WiFi and internet access are listed. The villa has a cot and high chairs, so it can accommodate a family with a baby or toddler.

The property lists a fan but no air conditioning; check with the owner whether the bedrooms have cooling units. A fireplace is listed for cooler months. The villa has a smoke detector. Guests arriving late should confirm the check-in procedure with the property in advance, as there is no on-site reception. Toiletries and a hairdryer are provided.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 18.7 km straight line from Villa Solivent. A taxi from the airport takes about 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic. A hire car collected at the airport gives flexibility for the whole stay; the villa has free car parking. In summer, a bus runs from the airport to Maó, where you can change for the Arenal d'en Castell route, but this takes longer. In winter, flights are fewer and bus services are reduced.

Maó port is 16.8 km straight line from the villa. Ferries from Barcelona and Palma arrive there. From the port, a taxi or hire car is the most direct option. The nearest area is Arenal d'en Castell, 1.7 km straight line away. Fornells, 6 km straight line, is a short drive north. The villa's address is Punta Grossa, a minor road off the main ME-15 between Maó and Fornells.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

Arenal d'en Castell is the nearest beach, 1.7 km straight line away. It is a near-circular bay with pale sand and shallow water, good for families. Fornells, 6 km straight line, is a fishing village on a long inlet; it is known for caldereta de llagosta (lobster stew) and has a small port. Es Mercadal, 9.6 km straight line, lies at the foot of Monte Toro, the highest point on Menorca at about 358 m, with a sanctuary and views of both coasts.

The Favàritx lighthouse is 7.2 km straight line from the villa, on the dark slate coast inside S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park. The park has a lagoon, dunes and birdlife. For a longer walk, the Camí de Cavalls (GR 223) passes along the coast near the lighthouse. Kayaking the north coast is listed as a sight 8.2 km straight line away; several coves and sea caves are accessible by kayak from Fornells or Arenal d'en Castell.

A day from Villa Solivent

Start the morning at Villa Solivent with breakfast on the patio. Drive 1.7 km to Arenal d'en Castell for a swim in the bay before the beach gets busy. Return to the villa for lunch at the garden table. In the afternoon, drive 7.2 km to the Favàritx lighthouse. Walk the short trail around the dark slate headland, watching for seabirds. The lighthouse is inside the S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, the core zone of the Biosphere Reserve.

Late afternoon, drive 6 km to Fornells. Walk along the port and, if the season allows, buy fresh fish or local cheese for dinner at the villa. Drive back to Punta Grossa before sunset. Light the fireplace if the evening is cool. Cook in the kitchen and eat on the terrace. The villa's quiet location means the night is dark and still, good for stargazing away from the coastal lights.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April; check with Villa Solivent whether it is open in those months. July and August are the peak, with Arenal d'en Castell busy and car parks filling early. 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 villa, and children under 16 are exempt. Check the current rate on the Govern de les Illes Balears site.

Questions about Villa Solivent