S'Escaleta

About S'Escaleta

S'Escaleta is a self-catering hotel near Punta Prima on the south-east coast of Menorca. It suits travellers who want a base with a kitchen and an outdoor pool, within easy reach of the airport and the capital Maó. The hotel is not rated with stars and has no guest score listed; it provides a straightforward stay with free parking and WiFi.

The accommodation is listed as a hotel but functions as a self-catering unit, with a kitchen, dishwasher, microwave and washing machine. It is not on the beachfront; the nearest named area is Binibeca Vell, 4.3 km away. The outdoor pool and pool bar are the main leisure facilities on site.

Location: Sant Lluís

S'Escaleta is in Punta Prima, a residential area on Menorca's south-east coast. The village has a small beach, a few shops and restaurants, and a relaxed, low-key atmosphere. It is quieter than the larger resorts on the south coast, such as Cala Galdana or Son Bou. In July and August the area is busier, but it remains less crowded than the main tourist centres.

Binibeca Vell, a whitewashed fishing-village-style hamlet, is 4.3 km away. Sant Lluís, a white village of windmills, is 4.6 km away. Es Castell, the Georgian barracks town at the mouth of Maó harbour, is 7.3 km away. Maó port is 8.7 km away. A car is useful for exploring the coves and villages; parking is free at the hotel. In the shoulder months of May, June and September, the area is quieter and the roads are less busy.

Rooms and facilities

The rooms at S'Escaleta are listed with air conditioning, a kitchen, a microwave, a dishwasher and a washing machine. This makes the hotel practical for couples or families who want to prepare their own meals. WiFi and internet access are included free of charge. Non-smoking rooms are standard, and a safe is provided. The hotel also has a hairdryer and a smoke detector.

Families will find the kitchen and washing machine useful for longer stays. Late arrivals should confirm check-in arrangements with the property, as reception hours are not listed. The outdoor pool and pool bar are on site; guests should confirm opening times, especially outside the main summer season.

Getting there

Menorca Airport (MAH) is 7.6 km straight line from S'Escaleta, making it one of the closest hotels to the airport. A taxi takes about 10-15 minutes. A hire car collected at the airport gives flexibility for the whole stay; free parking is provided at the hotel. Buses run from the airport to Maó and, in summer, to the south coast resorts; a bus to Punta Prima may require a change in Maó.

Maó port is 8.7 km straight line from the hotel. Ferries from Maó link to Barcelona (overnight crossings of several hours) and to Palma on Mallorca. From the port, a taxi or a hire car is the most direct way to reach S'Escaleta. In winter, flights and ferries are fewer; check the schedules with the operators.

Beaches, sights and food nearby

The nearest named area is Binibeca Vell, 4.3 km away, a reconstructed fishing village with white houses and a small cove. Sant Lluís, 4.6 km away, has windmills and a weekly market. Es Castell, 7.3 km away, is a Georgian town with a military history and a waterfront promenade. La Mola fortress at Maó, 7.7 km away, is a 19th-century fortress guarding the harbour entrance. A boat trip round Maó harbour, 8.2 km away, shows the natural harbour from the water.

S'Albufera des Grau, 15.4 km away, is the core zone of the Biosphere Reserve, with a lagoon, dunes and birdlife. The south coast coves such as Cala Macarella and Cala Turqueta are within a short drive. Menorca is known for Mahón-Menorca cheese, which has a protected designation of origin. Fornells, on the north coast, is known for caldereta de llagosta (lobster stew).

A day from S'Escaleta

Start the morning with breakfast at the hotel, using the kitchen. Drive 7.7 km to La Mola fortress for views over Maó harbour. Then take a boat trip round the harbour, 8.2 km away, to see the 5 km-long natural harbour from the water. Return to S'Escaleta for lunch by the outdoor pool.

In the afternoon, drive 4.3 km to Binibeca Vell to walk through the whitewashed lanes and see the small cove. Late afternoon, head 4.6 km to Sant Lluís to see the windmills. Return to the hotel for a swim and dinner prepared in the kitchen. In summer, the sun sets late, so there is time for a walk in Punta Prima after dinner.

Practical tips

Much of Menorca's tourism business closes roughly from November to April; check S'Escaleta's opening dates before booking. July and August are the peak months, with higher demand and warmer sea temperatures. 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 site.

Questions about S'Escaleta