Hotel Sant Joan de Binissaida

Sant Joan de Binissaida is a charming rural hotel that opened in 2004, located in an 18th century manor house at the eastern end of the island of Minorca, very close to the entrance to the large natural harbour that is the port of Mahón.

In recent years one half of the estate has been replanted with native pines and wild olives to create natural Menorcan woodland, while the remainder supports the herds of sheep and pure-bred Menorcan horses and provides produce for the restaurant kitchen. It contains 12 guest rooms including suites, an haute cuisine restaurant, 12 hectares of green open space, a large swimming pool with an equally generous terrace, a play area, two lounges with fireplaces, WiFi internet connection and massage service. This is an ideal place to spend your leisure days in an ambience of silence and nature on the enchanting little island of Minorca, declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

The hotel comprises the principal house and the old stables and barn. The house has six rooms, the restaurant and the two salons. The guest rooms here are traditionally furnished, including antiques. The farm buildings were converted in 2005 to provide five additional double rooms. They retain the 19th century stone walls of the original, contrasting with the modern interpretations of the use of natural materials in the interiors. Every room has a view, either across the Menorcan countryside or over the Cala of San Esteban and the entrance to Mahon harbour.

Straight from the hotel, visitors may take walks through the surrounding country or along the “camí de cavalls” (horses’ bridleway) that follows the coast or the various hiking trails across the island. Being fairly flat, Menorca is also a good option for bicycle touring.

Sant Joan de Binissaida is an ideal destination for people seeking a charming hotel with personality, for lovers of rural tourism, tranquillity and good cooking, who identify with sustainable tourism and are looking for friendly, informal, approachable yet professional treatment.

Meals

Sant Joan de Binissaida has an haute cuisine restaurant open to residents and non-residents. Under the direction of the renowned Mahon restaurant "Ses Forquilles", diners are presented with finely prepared dishes based on fresh local ingredients and the best classic recipes of Menorca and the Mediterranean. The team's special respect for the product is revealed in the use of fresh fish from local waters, meat raised on the island and vegetables from the hotel's own kitchen garden. Rices dishes, fish, meat, vegetarian dishes, special diets, children's menus and take-out picnics are available for all occasions.  And the select wine list includes wines produced in Minorca.

The restaurant offers many places to dine. There is the main room indoors with walls of local stone which leads out onto the terrace, and a smaller private dining room with direct access to a pergola. In summer most people choose the terrace or the large pergola which give great views of the garden.

Out and About

Beaches (only ten minutes away)
Walking (many pleasant strolls within the hotel estate, as well as footpaths extending much further afield for the more ambitious walker)
Cycling
Horse-riding
Golf
Diving

Places to visit:
Mahon (don't miss the concerts in the Teatro Principal de Mahón (1829), Spain’s oldest remaining opera theatre)
Ciudadella
Binibeca
Son Bou beach
Fornells (famous for seafood restaurants)
Megalithic remains (in various places)

Puccini is a double room on the first floor with views of the surrounding countryside.

Donizetti is a double room on the first floor with views of the surrounding countryside.

Vivaldi, Bach, Handel, Mozart and Beethoven are the new rooms in the old stable block, with exposed rustic stone walls, smooth white sandstone floors and custom-made furniture in cedar. Three of them have double beds, two have twins, and some rooms can be interconnected to form a family suite. Each room has its own private outdoor space.

Strauss is a fantastic room on the second floor. It has a bright sitting room which enjoys views over the fields that surround the hotel.

Verdi is a double room with living room on the first floor with views of the countryside. For a family the living room can be converted into a bedroom – ideal for travelling with family.

Rossini is a large suite with high ceilings and spectacular views over the fields leading towards the entrance to Mahon harbour. It's a very light space, with a generous sitting area and a jacuzzi bath incorporating light therapy.

Bellini is a single room on the first floor of the main house, with views of the countryside.

Wagner is a splendid suite on the second floor with a sitting room and a large private terrace with views of Cala de San Esteban and the port of Mahon. The sitting room can be used as a second bedroom, for a family.