Hotel Agamenon

With its nondescript white balconied facade and underwhelming portico entrance, its hard to get too excited upon first view of Hotel Agamenon. Stepping inside, the lobby is a bright, perfectly pleasant space with a neatly arranged central check-in desk surrounded by polished marble floors, potted palms, and slightly dowdy floral curtains. With the last major renovations of this '70s-era property completed in 2007, the hotel is starting to look a little dated, albeit clean and well-maintained with a scattering of contemporary furniture. A single elevator with a heavy manual door services the property's five floors; it can be slow and there's only space for a few guests at a time. Corridors can feel a little old-fashioned and gloomy, with mustard-toned walls and dim lighting. While there's not much in the way of gardens, the grounds comprises a series of tiered and balustrade terraces that make the most of the hotel's highlight -- superb views over Mahón's enormous harbor. The ambience is friendly, relaxed, and particularly quiet, appealing to the mostly over-50 British couples that make up the clientele, including many repeat customers. There's little to break the silence beyond the occasional passing cruise ship, though its position also means winds can occasionally be irritatingly strong.

The hotel is set in the small and largely unremarkable Es Castell neighborhood just outside the Minorcan capital. The immediate surroundings are very residential, with no beaches nearby and little in the way of tourist attractions. What it does have, however, is a privileged setting overlooking Mahón's huge natural harbor, right opposite King's Island and within eyeshot of several historic landmarks. The city's famous military museum is also under 10 minutes' walk away, and a little farther to the pretty port of Cales Fonts, with its picturesque waterfront promenade lined with restaurants. The city center is a 10- to 15-minute drive, and with little public transportation, car rental is certainly recommended. The nearest beach is Punta Prima, roughly 20 minutes by car, while Menorca Airport is just a 12-minute drive. 

The hotel's 75 guest rooms are all largely identical, finished in bright and modern styling with wood-effect flooring, simple contemporary furniture, and blue-beige color schemes. Yet, while the rooms themselves are a bit forgettable, they hold what is arguably the hotel's crowning feature: balconies or terraces with views over the harbor. All room categories offer this, while higher levels showcase some genuinely impressive panoramas. Superior Rooms are all positioned with better views and are larger than standard. On the flip side, it's worth mentioning that other rooms have side-on views and also overlook the car park. 

Amenities include flat-screen TVs (with a good selection of U.K.-based channels), mini-fridges with free bottled water, and key-operated safes (for a fee). All rooms are air-conditioned, though there have been complaints that units can be noisy. Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout, though it can be slow and intermittent in rooms. Tiled bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, with shower/tub combos, separate hairdryers, and chain-brand toiletries -- in both bottles and wall-mounted dispensers.

Don't expect too much in the way of leisure, fitness or dining facilities at this property, but what it does provide seems to meet the expectations of the hotel's typical guest. Its buffet restaurant opens for breakfast and dinner, with breakfast always included in the rate and covering a decent range of continental and pre-cooked items. An optional half-board plan covers the buffet dinner, too. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide views over the harbor, while the bar offers an alfresco sea-view terrace as well as an a la carte menu for lunch. Entertainment in the form of live music is put on a couple times a week. 

The property's swimming pool is more than large enough for a swim, with a separate shallow section for kids. The surrounding sun terrace is lined with loungers, though it is prone to some morning shade. Steps also lead down to the waterfront and a private boat dock. Free parking is available on-site for around a dozen vehicles. Wi-Fi is also free of charge, and it's strongest around the reception and bar areas.