From military barracks to the most zen (and beautiful) rural hotel in Menorca

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One already begins to activate the evasion mode when crossing the path of vineyards between orange, lemon and olive trees, arriving at the main building.

Or that spectacular

finished off in immaculate white with large lime-green balconies, roofs and windows.

It is walking through the door and immediately becoming rural with those

exquisitely decorating a wall;

those semicircular arches winding in another;

those tiles climbing the reception to the ceiling or those espardeñas inviting you to explore the countryside,

to which Menorca Experimental belongs, the most Zen (and beautiful) rural hotel on the Balearic island, as we already advanced in the headline.

Opened in 2019, it is now, after the

, that this old 19th-century farmhouse located on a 35-hectare plot of land between the countryside and the sea, or to be exact near the town of Alaior and from

.

It belonged to a family of wealthy locals until, after falling into disrepair, it became a military barracks.

"In this main building was the captain's house, while the soldiers' barracks and

have been transformed into rooms, the spa or the dining room where we serve the sustainable breakfast buffet," recalls Jaime Maestre, director of the hotel.

The 19th century mansion of the main building.

After a thorough renovation by the prestigious French interior

respecting original elements such as balconies, arches and floors, the estate became a refuge dedicated to

disconnection and the enjoyment of small details, new luxuries that symbolize the hallmarks of the

, the boutique brand of French origin to which the hotel belongs, along with six other offshoots scattered around

, the company's other Spanish mainstay.

And attention, they already have their eye on Madrid.

The minimalist design permeates every corner.

Its initial owners are three childhood friends from the French capital who, in 2007, decided to open a different bar in the Montorgueil neighborhood, Experimental Cocktail Club, which soon became a sensation in the city.

In 2010, a fourth partner, Xavier Padovani, joined and the business grew with the opening of more bars,

restaurants, wine bars and hotels like this Menorcan jewel.

Yoga class on a platform overlooking the sea.

Not in vain, Padovani is largely to blame for the latter being born, since he fell in love with the island and the estate on which it is located, so he did not stop until he saw it become what it is today: an

where you can devote yourself to contemplation and the good life.

Your team serves it up on a platter sipping a signature cocktail by

strolling through the vineyards, browsing

the stylish shop's

to mugs, flowy dresses to notepads), spending some time in the spa (that

...) or signing up for a yoga class on the platform overlooking the sea in the middle of the countryside and a walk of the

that emerge in the vicinity of the complex, just a 20-minute walk away.

One of the 43 hotel rooms.

In the hotel they even organize picnics to reach them and enjoy nature in full.

You can also go down to

and take a bath.

"Walking along the cliffs, activating your body with a yoga class or enjoying local food are ways to reconnect with yourself and enjoy a

," explains Maestre while the breeze from the Mediterranean Sea caresses him.

The complex's infinity pool.

At bedtime, one can choose between

, in a minimalist, refined and somewhat retro country style, distributed between the main building and the

that surround it with a garden included.

Four are independent and have a private pool.

In one of them, the one that occupied the old chapel of the military barracks, the first creative residence that the hotel has opened this year has taken place, one of the

that aims to promote the work of artists within the walls of the hotel.

Like the French

, a worldwide reference in the field of tattooing (in addition to being a photographer, ceramist, image director...), which has developed a series of unique pieces inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle.

And in Experimental Menorca, of course.

The artist Carlo Amen, in front of one of his creations.

His works can be admired in different spaces of the estate, from the kitchen to the

in the form of

.

"It is a pleasure to be able to work in such a place, in the midst of wild nature and with all the freedom in the world," says Amen in front of one of his creations on the façade of the former chapel.

In order to carry them out, he has collaborated with the

, made up of a couple of artists from Mahón, Bárbara and Joana.

"Carlo has made everything very easy for us," they add from his studio, located in a beautiful 18th-century mill-house.

Delicatessen' of Experimental Menorca.

Thanks to them, pottery classes can be part of the activities offered by the hotel.

For now, we are left with those of healthy cuisine or

, since gastronomy is another of the strong points of the place.

Chef

from Bilbao, is in charge of this. He has devised an

with fresh and seasonal products "in which Mediterranean and northern Spanish food is fused with nods to the French origin of the group", as he himself points out.

It can be enjoyed both at the pool bar and at the restaurant in the main building.

Some recommendations:

gazpacho with cucumber and feta cheese, sea bass ceviche with leche de tigre and chili,

of scallops, pickled mussels, Iberian feather,

... There cannot be a better climax.

Well, yes, a shot of ointment, the local brandy.

More information.

Experimental Minorca.

Military Battery of Llucallri, Camí de Llucallari (Alaior, Menorca).

Web: www.menorcaexperimental.com From 270 euros.

Open from March to November.

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