Three islands, a short hop from each other and barely two hours from the UK, yet each has a completely different personality. Majorca is the big, beautiful all-rounder. Menorca is the calm, unspoilt sister, all turquoise coves and fishing villages. Ibiza is the free spirit, famous for its nightlife but, increasingly, for boutique hotels, yoga retreats and some of the best sunsets in the Mediterranean.
We send thousands of guests to the Balearics, and the question we’re asked most is simply “which island?”. This guide answers it honestly, island by island, and then points you to four of our best-rated hotels on each so you can go straight from choosing an island to choosing where to stay.
If you already know which island you want, skip ahead using the summary below.
You’ll find on this page
- The three islands at a glance: who each one suits best
- Four of our best-rated hotels on Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza
- How to choose for families, couples, food lovers and party people
- A comparison table of every hotel, plus answers to common questions
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikos Porto Petro | Porto Petro, Majorca | 5★ | All Inclusive Plus | 4.9/5 | No |
| Finca Ratxo Retreat Melia Collection | Puigpunyent, Majorca | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Iberostar Selection Es Trenc | Colonia Sant Jordi, Majorca | 5★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Alcazar Hotel Soller | Soller, Majorca | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 5/5 | No |
| Lago Resort Menorca Suites del Lago | Cala’n Bosch, Menorca | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board Plus | 4.8/5 | Yes |
| Seth 55 Santo Tomas | Santo Tomas, Menorca | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Hotel Artiem Carlos | Es Castell, Menorca | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | Yes |
| Barcelo Nura | Punta Prima, Menorca | 5★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Bless Hotel Ibiza | Playa Es Cana, Ibiza | 5★ | 4.6/5 | No | |
| Cala San Miguel Ibiza Resort Curio Collection by Hilton | San Miguel (Ibiza), Ibiza | 5★ | 4.6/5 | Yes | |
| Torre Del Mar | Playa D’En Bossa, Ibiza | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| Agroturismo Can Lluc Hotel | San Rafael, Ibiza | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
The islands at a glance
Majorca is the largest and most varied of the Balearics. In a single week you can swim in a hidden cove, hike the Tramuntana mountains, explore Palma’s Gothic cathedral and old town, and eat in some of Spain’s best restaurants. It has the widest choice of hotels by far, from five-star family all-inclusives to adults-only boutique stays.
Menorca is quieter, greener and much less developed. It is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, ringed by around a hundred beaches and coves with water so clear it looks like a swimming pool. Mahón and Ciutadella are two of the prettiest harbour towns in the Mediterranean. Choose Menorca for a slower pace, young families and couples who want to switch off.
Ibiza has two sides. The west and south (San Antonio and Playa d’en Bossa) are famous for superclubs, beach clubs and sunset bars. The north and east (Santa Eulalia, San Miguel, Cala San Vicente) are surprisingly peaceful, with pine-covered hills, rustic agroturismos and gorgeous small beaches. Ibiza Town’s walled Dalt Vila is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Majorca: the all-rounder
Choose Majorca for the most choice: beaches, mountains, culture and top-end hotels.
Ikos Porto Petro
- Porto Petro, Majorca
- 5-star
- All Inclusive Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Ikos Porto Petro is our highest-rated family resort in the Balearics. It sits on the seafront on Majorca’s calm south-east coast, and its all-inclusive concept goes far beyond the buffet, with à la carte dining, a luxury spa and facilities that keep children of every age happy while parents relax.
Best for: Families who want five-star all-inclusive
Finca Ratxo Retreat Melia Collection
- Puigpunyent, Majorca
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
For a total escape, Finca Ratxo is a traditional estate in the foothills near Puigpunyent. Think inviting outdoor pool, a spa built for long, slow afternoons, and a choice of rooms and suites with countryside views, yet Palma is close enough for a dinner out.
Best for: Couples and spa lovers
Iberostar Selection Es Trenc
- Colonia Sant Jordi, Majorca
- 5-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Newly refurbished and right on the seafront at Colonia Sant Jordi, Iberostar Selection Es Trenc has a rooftop pool and sits close to Es Trenc, one of the island’s most beautiful natural beaches.
Best for: Beach lovers who want calm and style
Alcazar Hotel Soller
- Soller, Majorca
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 5/5
In the heart of Sóller, Alcazar Hotel is an elegant boutique hotel with a fabulous sun terrace and friendly service. It is perfect for exploring the mountain villages and riding the vintage tram down to the port.
Best for: Explorers and walkers
Menorca: peace, coves and harbour towns
Choose Menorca for clear water, quiet beaches and a relaxed pace.
Lago Resort Menorca Suites del Lago
- Cala’n Bosch, Menorca
- 5-star
- Half Board Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
- Adults only
Adults-only and five-star, Lago Resort Menorca Suites del Lago in Cala’n Bosch has a modern design, rooms with private pools and the beach close by. It is the island’s most polished grown-up hotel.
Best for: Couples wanting a private pool
Seth 55 Santo Tomas
- Santo Tomas, Menorca
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Close to the beach at Santo Tomás, Seth 55 has a large pool, a fantastic spa and swim-up rooms. The south coast’s long sandy beaches are on the doorstep.
Best for: Beach lovers and spa fans
Hotel Artiem Carlos
- Es Castell, Menorca
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
- Adults only
With stunning sea views over the harbour mouth at Es Castell and a relaxed atmosphere, adults-only Hotel Artiem Carlos is a lovely base for exploring Mahón and Menorca’s culture.
Best for: Couples who like town and culture
Barcelo Nura
- Punta Prima, Menorca
- 5-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Five-star Barceló Nura at Punta Prima has a relaxing spa, swim-up rooms, a rooftop bar and a great all-inclusive option.
Best for: A stylish all-inclusive in the south-east
Ibiza: style, sunsets and secret coves
Choose Ibiza for boutique style, sunsets and the option of a night out.
Bless Hotel Ibiza
- Playa Es Cana, Ibiza
- 5-star
- Room Only
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Beachfront at Es Caná, Bless Hotel Ibiza is chic and stylish, with a fabulous infinity pool and a spa that makes it perfect for a pampering break on the calmer east coast.
Best for: Stylish couples
Cala San Miguel Ibiza Resort Curio Collection by Hilton
- San Miguel (Ibiza), Ibiza
- 5-star
- Room Only
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
- Adults only
Adults-only and close to the beach, Cala San Miguel Ibiza Resort has panoramic sea views and contemporary design in the peaceful north of the island.
Best for: Quiet, grown-up luxury
See Cala San Miguel Ibiza Resort Curio Collection by Hilton →
Torre Del Mar
- Playa D’En Bossa, Ibiza
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Seafront at Playa d’en Bossa with stunning views and a fantastic dining offering, Torre del Mar keeps a relaxed atmosphere while being close to Ibiza Town and the famous beach clubs.
Best for: The best of both worlds
Agroturismo Can Lluc Hotel
- San Rafael, Ibiza
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Agroturismo Can Lluc near San Rafael is pure rural Ibiza: traditional charm, boutique-style rooms and a modern pool terrace in idyllic countryside.
Best for: A rustic, romantic retreat
How to choose
Families: Majorca has the most family resorts, kids’ clubs and splash parks, with Menorca a close second for younger children thanks to its calm, shallow coves. Couples: all three work. Choose Menorca for peace, Ibiza’s north for boutique style, or Majorca’s mountains for rural luxury. Food lovers: Majorca, especially Palma, Portals Nous and the Sóller valley. Nightlife: Ibiza, without question. Island-hopping: ferries link all three islands, so you can easily combine two.
When to go
The Balearic season runs from April to October. June and September are the sweet spot, with warm sea, long days and fewer crowds than July and August. Majorca stays open year-round and is lovely for walking and cycling in spring and autumn. Flights from the UK take about two and a quarter hours to Palma or Mahón, and about two and a half to Ibiza.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 194 hotels in the Balearic Islands. To build this list we started with the five-star and luxury hotels on each island, then read what our guests say: every hotel here scores highly on TripAdvisor. We spread our picks across different resorts so you can compare areas, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices and room types change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Things to do on each island
Majorca: explore Palma’s Gothic cathedral and old town, ride the vintage railway from Palma to Sóller, drive the spectacular mountain road to Cap de Formentor and swim at Es Trenc or the coves of the south-east. Menorca: wander Ciutadella’s old town, walk a section of the Camí de Cavalls coastal path that circles the island, take a boat to the hidden coves of the south coast and try caldereta de llagosta, the famous lobster stew, in Fornells. Ibiza: watch the sunset from the west coast, explore Dalt Vila in Ibiza Town, browse the hippy markets of Punta Arabí and Las Dalias, and take a day trip by boat to the beaches of Formentera.
Frequently asked questions
Which Balearic island is best for families?
Majorca, for the widest choice of family resorts and attractions, followed by Menorca for calm, shallow beaches.
Which Balearic island is quietest?
Menorca is the quietest and least developed. The north of Ibiza is also surprisingly peaceful.
Is Ibiza only for partying?
Not at all. The north and east of Ibiza, around Santa Eulalia and San Miguel, are relaxed and family-friendly, with boutique hotels and rural agroturismos.
Can you visit more than one Balearic island?
Yes. Regular ferries link Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza, so a two-island holiday is easy to arrange. Ask a Travel Designer to plan it for you.
Find your Balearic holiday
Search live prices on any of the three islands with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer which island suits you best.
Keep planning
- Majorca holidays
- Menorca holidays
- Ibiza holidays
- Best Ibiza resorts for couples, families and party vibes
- Best luxury hotels in Majorca
- Best adults-only hotels in Majorca
- Best luxury hotels in Ibiza
- Best hotels in Menorca
- Where to stay in Majorca
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
