They say you should never judge a book by its cover. Nor, in this case, a hotel by its facade. From the outside, Hort Sant Patricia (or Ca Na Xini, as the hotel part is known) looks the classic Menorcan rural estate: traditional yellow and white walls, forest green shutters, and a sweeping driveway for added gravitas. Visitors flock to the working farm to discover more about its award-winning wines and delicious cheeses. But look a little closer and you'll find some surprises - a trio of seamless glass archways down one side, a contemporary sculpture garden, state-of-the-art production methods - which point to a different story under the covers.
So what’s inside? Well, it’s like stepping into a snow-globe: an 8-bedroom, very angular, not-a-snowflake-out-of-place snow-globe. One for the design buffs rather than the crayon-happy kids, with a sense of calm intimacy. Double beds have crisp white sheets, meals are taken at cubic white tables, and lord only knows how they keep the floor that (ahem) flawless.
Highs
- The opportunity to stay on a working vineyard and learn about production methods at close quarters
- In the centre of the island: well located for exploring Menorca by car
- Striking minimalist interior design contrasted with a colourful, traditional exterior
- A beautiful estate to roam around, yet the hotel and pool closed to non-guests, creating an exclusive and calming atmosphere
Lows
- Dinner isn’t always available, so be prepared to drive a couple of miles for lunch and dinner
- The atmosphere often mirrors the décor, and may be too hushed for some
- Room terraces lack privacy: you're close enough to chat to your neighbours
- Some might find the design cold and stark rather than striking and calm
Best time to go
Wine buffs may want to coincide their visit with the autumn harvest or near abouts - this is also a lovely time to see the island, as temperatures are pleasant and the summer crowds have departed. Spring is similarly appealing, though the farm may be quieter. The estate closes annually from November until February.
Our top tips
Drive down to stunning Cova d'en Xoroi one evening to catch the sunset from the cliffside bar, then drive a couple of minutes inland for dinner at Hotel Torralbenc's fabulous restaurant. (Book ahead and request an alfresco table.)
- Agroturismo hotel
- 8 rooms
- Breakfast (+ dinner on request)
- Adults only
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
In the bedrooms, the hotel’s flawless white design is softened only by natural wood floors and gauzy sheer drapes. Such simplicity can feel unforgiving (bring a bottle of red back to your room at your peril), but it certainly makes for a calming place to lay your head.
Second-floor Standard Rooms gain added character from their original beamed ceilings, but we liked the grand proportions of the Superior Rooms. In summer, we’d opt for those which lead out onto the wraparound first-floor terrace (despite each section being divided by little more than shrubbery). If you want more privacy, or are visiting during cooler months, the fourth Superior Room has a beautiful bay window seating area overlooking the manicured gardens.
For full room details see our Rates page.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- WiFi
Eating
When you’re not touring the winery or watching the cheese in production, you’ll be sampling them in the gallery-white dining room, where a handful of angular tables gaze out over bougainvillea-strewn hedgerows towards the landscaped grounds. If you like what you try, you can buy it from the on-site store (open every day except Sunday).
Dinner (usually thrice weekly in summer, on request only in winter) has a strong emphasis on island produce; we sampled Menorcan sobrasada in a green bean and asparagus starter, and local cod with pear aioli (though we could barely taste the latter). Nevertheless, we found the simple menu - 2 dishes per course - both enticing and creative.
Equally the buffet breakfast includes the estate’s cheeses and their olive oil, which isn’t available anywhere else on the island.
Activities
- Start with a tour of the cheese factory (3 mornings per week) to see fresh cheese being wrapped in muslin ready for storage. Batches are removed at various stages of maturation, giving a range of flavours from parmesan-style options (great for cooking) to lighter cheeses which manager David recommends fried with fresh tomato (or with bread at breakfast)
- Next it’s on to the winery (tours vary according to season). Autumn brings the manual harvest; we saw wines fermenting in enormous metal drums, complete with heady aromas. David talks you through the process and the story behind each wine; the reds in particular have won various awards. Be sure to ask about how the Cayetana rosé got its name
- When the learning is done, wander the artful sculpture garden or unwind on a lounger beside the pool - lush gardens abound
- At just 50km long, Menorca is easy to explore and this is a great, central base - check out our must-visit sites (including nearby Playa de Cavalleria and El Toro) on the destination guide
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Shopping / markets
- Wine tasting
Kids
This is an adults-only hotel; the modern minimalist design cultivates a calm atmosphere, and it's easier to sample the vineyard's wines without little ones around!
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hort Sant Patrici (also known as Ca Na Xini) is just outside the village of Ferreries, in central Menorca. It's approximately 30 minutes from Mahon (Maó) and 20 minutes from Ciutadella.
By Air:
Mahon (29km) is Menorca's only airport - click on the links below for a list of airlines serving it.
From the Airport
You can take a taxi - but we'd recommend that you hire a car (see below).
By Car:
This is an isolated rural hotel, so you'll want the means to explore - see our car rental recommendations. The hotel has secure on-site parking.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Menorca and getting around
Airports:
- Mahon (Maó) 29.0 km MAH
Other:
- Beach 10.0 km
- Shops 2.0 km
- Restaurant 2.0 km