Cristine Bedfor Mahón

This small guesthouse (not a hotel) is on surface level cute but lacking in service, amenities and training of its staff. Clearly it has taken its design cues from Kit Kemp and The Firmdale Group - a very successful operation out of the UK/US. There is nothing Spanish about the hotel, it is more colonial English and they have carbon copied Kit’s designs from Crosby Street in NYC and her many hotels in London. But, that’s where the good part ends. The staff, particularly those imported from Indonesia and The Philippines still come with that air of incoherence, abruptness, aggressive and shortness of response who also lack in the cultural awareness and understanding of the hospitality industry. Odd, given in Asia service is generally top notch. It is obvious that this culture has been encouraged from the top down as it is across the board. In this guesthouse it’s a no, until it’s a yes. Ask anything and they immediately say NO. The rooms do not have phones. Your only method of contacting reception or concierge etc is via what’s app. Then you can just hope and pray that they respond. The pool is not a pool but a pond and good for them for at least managing to get some body of water on the property. Do NOT stay in Rooms 1 or 2. These rooms are ground floor and actually inside the restaurant and beyond having to face a crowd of diners whenever you exit your room, you will be kept awake with the noise of the restaurant as well as the morning silverware clanging about and staff making loud noises as they set up for service. My room also ran out of hot water for the remaining two days of my trip and the electricity kept shorting out. I was also charged for parking when I was never advised there was a parking charge. I expressly asked to speak to the manager about this and of course there was no manager, but as I had departed the guesthouse then charged my card. Thankfully American Express are able to refute it. The other rooms my co-travellers were staying in were on a higher floor but prepare for a rabbit warren to get to them. It’s charming but awfully confusing to find your way. Kit Kemp deserves all the praise for the design of the hotel which is all they really have to bank on. In fact, I’d recommend Firmdale take over the hotel given they’re trying so hard to be a Firmdale Hotel. Don’t bother with what’s app - it’s such a rudimentary way for this guesthouse to communicate with guests and your responses will not be answered in a timely manner. Each time I made a request, it took 30 mins for them to respond or receive it. I really wouldn’t recommend this guesthouse for a stay in Menorca. It’s poorly organised and operated. The staff roll their eyes at any request and are inconvenienced by their guests as opposed to going above and beyond to assist them. It’s really the antithesis of good hospitality. I’d highly recommend staying at a Firmdale Group Hotel if you would like the ‘English’ design but also want quality service and ou

Lovely hotel in the heart of Mao. Great staff, beautiful attention to detail in the rooms and common areas. Small pool but no problem. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Location great for walking around the port, shopping. On site parking v useful. Very relaxing