Hostal Casbah Formentera

It's more than a little enchanting to arrive at the Hotel Casbah, which is surrounded by the scent of pine forest and the chirruping of birds. The hotel is a charming collection of whitewashed Balearic blocks and north African village flavor, scattered around peaceful tropical gardens that brim with cacti, juniper scrubs, and tropical flowers. Inside, the Moroccan theme continues with blocky wood furniture, natural fiber fabrics, colored glass lanterns, and geometric patterned tiling, all against a backdrop of uneven whitewashed plaster. The overriding atmosphere is one of relaxed seclusion. Friendly staff provide a warm welcome to a mixture of European vacationing couples, plus the occasional family with kids. It's also one of the few hotels on the island that stays open into the winter (until late November).

The hotel's natural setting is a real highlight. It's nestled among pine forest and a 10-minute walk from the more remote end of lovely sandy coastline on Migjorn Beach. There are a couple of restaurants within walking distance, though a flashlight is recommended for strolling around after dark. A small supermarket is a few minutes' walk away at a neighboring hotel. Banks, shops, and a post office can be found at the island's capital of Sant Francesc Xavier, a 10-minute drive away. Ses Illetas -- named best beach in Europe by TripAdvisor in 2016 -- is around a 20-minute drive. The ferry port of La Sabina is around 10 to 15 minutes. There's no airport on Formentera; it's only accessible via ferry crossing from Ibiza, which takes around an hour.  On-site parking is available free of charge at the hotel.

The hotel features 29 Single, Double, and Family Rooms on ground floor and first floor levels, which sleep up to four guests. The design style in most rooms is a tastefully stylish rustic-chic, combining whitewashed plaster walls, chunky wood furniture, and patterned tiles. Superior Double Rooms have more modern styling with clean lines and contemporary furnishings. All rooms open to furnished balconies or terraces with views over the garden or pine forest. Family Rooms also have separate single rooms connected by a corridor. Rooms are air conditioned and come with 32-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and old-fashioned safes. Free Wi-Fi is generally reliable. Aesthetically, bathrooms are a bit of a letdown. These have run-of-the-mill tiling and stall showers. All are clean and provide wall-mounted hairdryers and standard toiletries.

The Casbah Restaurant is considered to be one of the finest in the area, with a lunch and dinner menu featuring an innovative take on Mediterranean and Galician cooking. Breakfast is either a la carte or buffet (though not included in the room rate) and can be enjoyed by floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the pool and gardens. While the food is excellent, it's on the pricey side. Snacks and drinks can be ordered from the poolside bar and enjoyed on the pretty patio surrounded by nature. An inside bar also has Moroccan-style seating and an open fireplace for winter coziness. The hotel's pool area is particularly relaxing with soft background music, sun loungers, and dappled shade from the neighboring pine trees. There's also a separate section for kids and grown-ups can enjoy alfresco massage treatments under a garden gazebo.