Sant Roc

About Sant Roc

Sant Roc suits travellers who want a self-catering base in the capital of Menorca, with the independence of a kitchen and the convenience of a central location. The property is not a full-service hotel but a self-contained unit with a patio, terrace and swimming pool, listed without a star rating or guest score. It works for couples, small families or solo travellers who prefer to cook and explore Maó on foot.

The stay is in a residential or semi-residential setting on Plaça 8 San Roc, a short walk from the harbour and the old town. The listed facilities include a dishwasher, oven, microwave, toaster, washing machine and ironing equipment, plus air conditioning and free WiFi. There is no on-site restaurant or reception desk, so guests should confirm the check-in procedure with the property before arrival.

Location: Maó (Mahón)

Sant Roc is in Maó (Mahón), the capital of Menorca, perched above a natural harbour about 5 km long. The hotel is 0.3 km straight line from the centre of Maó, so the main squares, shops, bars and the covered market are within a few minutes' walk. The port is 0.4 km away, where ferries to Barcelona and Mallorca depart, and where you can find waterfront cafés and boat trips. Es Castell, a Georgian barracks town at the harbour mouth, is 2.2 km straight line, and Sant Lluís, a white village of windmills, is 4.4 km away.

In high summer, Maó is busy but less frantic than the coastal resorts; the streets and harbour are lively with visitors and locals. In the shoulder months of May, June, September and October, the town feels more relaxed, and many of the southern coves are quieter. A hire car is useful for reaching the south-coast beaches and the Camí de Cavalls, but the hotel's central position means you can leave the car parked and walk to most daily needs.

Rooms and facilities

The property is listed as a hotel but functions as a self-catering unit with a full kitchen (oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker) and a washing machine. The sleeping arrangements are not specified, so couples should confirm the bed type, and families should ask about the cot and high chairs listed in the facilities. The unit has a desk, a fan, air conditioning and free WiFi, which suits guests who need to work or plan their days online.

There is a fireplace and a patio or terrace, plus a swimming pool shared or private (confirm with the property). The listing includes non-smoking rooms, iron and board, and parking. Late arrivals should check the key collection procedure, as there is no 24-hour reception. Guests should also confirm whether the pool is open year-round or seasonal, and whether the parking is on-site or nearby.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 5.2 km straight line from Sant Roc. A taxi takes about 10-15 minutes; a hire car collected at the airport gives flexibility for the whole stay. Buses run from the airport to Maó and, in summer, to the resorts; the bus stop in Maó is about 0.3 km from the hotel. In winter, flights are fewer, so check the airline schedules. The port of Maó is 0.4 km away, with ferries to Barcelona (overnight crossings of several hours) and to Palma on Mallorca.

From the port, it is a short walk uphill to Plaça 8 San Roc. From Es Castell (2.2 km) or Sant Lluís (4.4 km), a taxi or a hire car is easiest. The hotel's central location means you can park the car and explore the town on foot. For the south-coast coves, a car is recommended, as buses are less frequent outside summer.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

The nearest beach is not within walking distance; the closest coves on the south coast are about 8-10 km by car. Within 0.4 km, you can join a boat trip round Maó harbour to see the cliffs, naval base and the mouth of the port. La Mola fortress, a 19th-century Isabel II fortress guarding the harbour, is 3.9 km straight line. S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park, the core zone of the Biosphere Reserve, is 6.8 km away, with a lagoon, dunes and the Favàritx lighthouse on dark slate.

Maó itself offers Georgian architecture, a gin tradition from the British period, and the local Mahón-Menorca cheese with a protected designation of origin. The covered market sells local produce. The Camí de Cavalls, the historic bridleway around the whole coast, is about 185 km in 20 stages; the nearest access is at the harbour or at Es Castell. For a longer day out, the Naveta des Tudons, a boat-shaped prehistoric tomb, is near Ciutadella, about 40 km west.

A day from Sant Roc

Start the morning with a walk 0.3 km into the centre of Maó for breakfast at a café near the Plaça de la Constitució. Then walk 0.4 km down to the harbour and join a boat trip round Maó harbour, which takes about an hour and shows the full length of the natural harbour. After the boat, walk back up to the hotel for lunch on the patio or terrace. In the afternoon, drive 6.8 km to S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park for a walk around the lagoon and a visit to the Favàritx lighthouse.

Return to Maó in the late afternoon and park at the hotel. In the evening, walk to the port for a drink at a waterfront bar, then have dinner at a restaurant in the old town. The hotel's kitchen means you could also cook a meal with ingredients from the market. The central location makes it easy to end the day with a stroll along the harbour before returning to Sant Roc.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April, so check the hotel's opening dates before booking. July and August are the peak months, with higher demand and warmer sea temperatures around 25-26 °C. 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 on the Govern de les Illes Balears website.

Questions about Sant Roc