The adult-only 160-room hotel was renovated when Barceló took over the property in 2012. It is built around an atrium in which there are two swimming pools and a restaurant in an old converted mansion. Bedrooms, all neatly modern in style, either face in or out to sea. The en-suites have space-saving shower cubicles and toilets directly off the bedroom area but separated from the bed by a cleverly designed sink and mirror unit. Four gorgeous suites on one corner of the building face the sea and have fantastic views.
When I got there in June the hotel was bristling with older (read retired) folk and a smattering of younger couples - English and Spanish - there for the early Mediterranean sunshine and mild climate. Younger folk turn up later in the season attracted to the spa, choice of restaurants and showstopping roof-terrace bar with 360-degree views of the sea and town.
It's easy to spend time on the roof, lolling on huge flat mattresses or the four-poster sun loungers or cooling down in jacuzzi-style plunge pools.
By night, the terrace transforms with coloured lights into the nightclub-style Blue Sky bar. Saturday night was spent sipping glasses of cava with a raspberry plopped in and noshing mushroom croquettes with a port reduction, mango and seabass ceviche and goat's cheese toast with truffle honey, followed by white chocolate soup with raspberry foam and chocolate ganache with olive oil and a distinct flavour of salt.
From mid-June, the hotel installs a DJ on the terrace every Saturday night until 1am, and it becomes a venue for local folk, with sunset and full-moon parties.
barcelohamiltonmenorca.com
