Mum and dad want to take their two pre-school children and one set of grandparents to Menorca to stay in a self-catering villa for a week between June and September, preferably with a private pool, in a quiet area not too far from the airport.
Budget: £3,000.
Verdict: The winning agent knew her stuff and created a friendly atmosphere
Sunpex Travel
Sunpex Travel98 High Street
Score: 58%
The agent was friendly, and found me one suitable option with Thomas Cook Style, Villa S’Escaleta, for £1,953 flying on September 23. Car hire would be an extra £600, but she suggested taking a transfer to save money.
However, the agent wasn’t enthusiastic, and didn’t persevere to find any other options. She kept the brochure facing her the whole time, so I had to crane to see. She also answered the phone during our consultation, despite the fact another agent was free.
She couldn’t get the printer to work and so I was only given a brochure and a compliments slip with the total price on to take away. She made no attempt to close the sale and didn’t take my contact details.
The Co-operative Travel
The Co-operative TravelTesco Extra, Margate Road
Score: 74%
This agency was very crowded, but I was greeted immediately by the lady on the foreign currency desk who directed me to the brochures and politely asked me to wait.
The agent was knowledgeable and asked the right questions, and provided me with three options through Thomas Cook Villas with Style: the Villas Amarillas in Cala Blanca, and the Villas Calitjas and Villa Ca Na Nita in Cala’n Bosch, with prices ranging from £2,085 to £2,275 flying on June 10.
Car hire was £667, plus €70 for child seats. The crowded nature and hordes of supermarket shoppers outside the window meant I didn’t feel relaxed, and the shop felt understaffed.
Thomas Cook
Thomas Cook52b High Street
Score: 82%
The agent was quick and enthusiastic. She had a thorough knowledge of the island, talked about heat and safety issues for the children and researched many dates and locations.
She offered three options through Thomas Cook Villas with Style, including Villas Amarillas in Cala Blanca, Bini Radia in Binibeca and Villa Viola in Cala’n Bosch, from between £1,823 and £2,280 flying in June or September, with car hire another £300.
I was given a brochure and a business card to take away, and she contacted me after my visit with more information on car hire. This agency was second because I felt more rushed than in First Choice.
First Choice
First ChoiceAsda, Westwood Road
Score: 86%
The shop was bright and airy, but the supermarket trolley park obscured the window display.
The agent was delightful throughout and I had her full commitment for 50 minutes. She listened intently to my requests and suggested locations. She included her colleague in the conversation who had taken a young family to Menorca and they worked well as a team.
We spent plenty of time finding the right accommodation, with Cala’n Bosch Villas from £2,700 and Galdana Palms Villas from £2,650 offered through Thomson including car hire flying on June 18.
She also offered Casa Ana through Meon Villas from £2,375. She quoted for insurance, suggested an airport hotel and a range of excursions, gave me her direct dial number along with brochures and quotes, and emailed me later that day to follow up.
Winning agent: Hannah Granger, assistant manager
“I’ve just been promoted and moved shops, so I’m now assistant manager of First Choice in Canterbury.”
Tips: Menorca villas
- Menorca is the second-largest of the Balearic islands and is served by two-hour direct flights from 17 UK airports with Thomas Cook, Thomson, Monarch, Jet2.com, Bmibaby and easyJet.
- It’s great for families, with as many beaches as Majorca and Ibiza combined, and a quieter atmosphere than either of those islands. Resorts aren’t too built up, and Thomas Cook, Thomson and Cosmos all offer villas with pools.
- Cala’n Blanes, Cala’n Forcat, Cala Blanca, Cala’n Bosch and Arenal den Castell are livelier resorts popular with families. Sa Caleta and Binibeca are quieter fishing villages.
- Outside the main summer holidays Menorca has plenty to offer the adult market, with food and music festivals, walking and riding options.
- For more information on Menorca see this week’s feature, or subscribe to Gazetteers.com for resort and hotel write-ups from agents and professional reviewers.