Valentin Star Hotel

Passing through the revolving door into the Valentin Star Hotel, guests are hit with a waft of floral air-freshener and a fresh smell of cleanliness. While the numerous flowers dotted around the reception area are a mix of artificial and real, it's clear much has gone into their presentation with several elaborate bouquets setting an upmarket tone. Polished marble floors, striped wallpaper, and wood paneling also contribute to the lobby's slightly formal and traditional atmosphere. New arrivals are greeted with a cold towel and chilled bottle of water, as well as particularly friendly and attentive staff, which past guests are quick to confirm. The complex is made up of six, two-story blocks that interconnect in a circle around the central gardens and pool area, creating an especially serene and relaxing space. A lagoon-style pool stretches almost the whole length, and is lined with paved terraces, mature palms, and more well-tended flora. As an adults-only hotel, there are no noisy kids to spoil the peace and quiet, and guests tend to be at the more senior end of the spectrum. Plenty of ramps throughout the property also makes for easier access for the mobility challenged. 

The hotel is located in small, laid-back Cala'n Bosch in the middle of its marina district where most of the resort's restaurants and low-key bars can be found. As well as being a short stroll from around a dozen eateries, there's also a shopping area right next door and boat hire agency opposite. The pretty Cala'n Bosch beach is under five minutes' walk away, while a local tourist train also runs around the resort and into neighboring Son Xoriguer, which also has a beach. Located on the southwest corner of the island, the picturesque city of Ciutadella is a 15-minute drive away, while it's about a 50-minute drive to Minorca's capital, Mahón. Ferries are available to both Majorca and mainland Spain, while Menorca International Airport is up to an hour by car. 

A traditional style of decor continues in the hotel's 210 guest rooms, with terra-cotta tiled floors, dark wood furniture, and crimson-colored seating. While immaculately clean and certainly well-maintained, some find the interiors to be too old fashioned and we found one of the rooms a little musty. All rooms have outside space with Double Room balconies overlooking the quiet street or pool area (depending on rates) and Superior Rooms opening to small garden areas with loungers. Superior Rooms are also slightly larger in size. 

Amenities are the same throughout all rooms, with 32-inch TVs (with over a dozen English-speaking channels), mini-fridges, and daily replenished tea- and coffee-making facilities; note that safes are old key-style and are for-fee. Wi-Fi, however, is free of charge on an open network; the signal was good during our visit though some guests report slow speeds. Bathrooms have piped-in music with a choice of channels, plus shower-tub combos (in all but four), wall-mounted hairdryers, and a good set of chain-branded toiletries. Upgraded rooms add robes and slippers. All rooms also have the convenience of bedside climate controls and a choice of pillows. 

The hotel's centerpiece is its particularly long freeform pool running the length of its lovely secluded gardens. The pool features four swan-neck water jets and a sloped, zero-entry area, and waiter service is available from the plentiful surrounding loungers (which also includes twice-daily free snack service). What was previously a kids' pool is now a large heated whirlpool tub, while low-key animation includes the likes of aquarobics, water volleyball, and yoga classes. Lack of gym, spa facilities, or indoor pool, however, feels like an oversight. 

The vast majority of guest sign on for the half-board plan, which covers buffet breakfast and dinner, though breakfast is always included as standard. The dining rooms is spacious with the feel of a fancy restaurant, with thrice-weekly themed buffets, live cooking, and an alfresco poolside terrace. A poolside bar offers drinks, snacks, and proper meals throughout the day, and in the evening the lounge bar puts on evening entertainment mostly involving music tribute acts. Past guests tend to agree that the quality of both food and entertainment can be inconsistent, though on the whole its good. A large marina-front bar is also open to the public and provides daily shows, abundant comfy seating, and fine-spray misting machines over the hotter months. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, however the signal isn't the strongest.