Privately owned villas are available for those tourists looking for more private accommodation. Most of the resort areas are comprised of several hotels, restaurants, pools and activities for all ages. A few of Menorca's prime resorts include:

* Cala'n Bosch. The Cala'n Bosch resort area is located a short, 15-minute drive from the former capital city of Ciutadella, Menorca. The resort is home to one of the two five-star hotels in Menorca.

The Hotel La Quinta offers all the luxury you would expect from a five-star hotel. Accommodation includes air-conditioned rooms, a heated indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and massage, gym, beauty salon and boutique. For even more relaxation, they offer an a la carte restaurant, reading room and piano bar. Other accommodation in the Cala'n Bosch resort area range from low-rise apartments to large hotels. Cala'n Bosch Villas and Villas Begonias are available for larger groups and families looking for more privacy and space than hotels or apartments offer.

* Arenal Den Castel. Only 25 minutes from Mahon, the capital of Menorca, the beach at Arenal Den Castel has received an EU blue flag for cleanliness. The beach has a very large shelf, making it appropriate for families with small children. The resort has a wide variety of bars, restaurants and shops. A fully stocked supermarket makes it convenient for those who rent self-catering accommodations. Hotels and apartments near the resort offer one- and two-bedroom suites with pools, kitchenettes, restaurants, bars, game rooms and children's clubs.

* Mahon Harbour. Mahon Harbour is one of the largest natural harbours in the world. This resort area is smaller and generally less crowded than some of the larger areas. Seven hotels in the area provide accommodations to thousands of guests per month. The hotels range in size from low-rise to high-rise and vary from one-star to four-star. More than a dozen beaches and coves offer something for everyone. Mahon Harbour is about a 20-minute drive from many attractions on the island.

* Son Parc. Son Parc is home to the only golf course on all of Menorca. The resort is located on the northeast coast of Menorca and offers a great deal more privacy than many other resorts. Son Parc's primary beach is ideal for families with small children because of its gently sloping shelf and shallow water. Although the nightlife at Son Parc isn't as lively as other resort areas, it is far from nonexistent.

Reserve of Biosphere Designation

Menorca was awarded the designation of "Reserve of Biosphere" by UNESCO in 1993. A biosphere reserve is an international conservation designation given under UNESCO's Program on Man and the Biosphere (MAB). Biosphere reserves are created to "promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere," according to The Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Biosphere reserves must "encompass a mosaic of ecological systems," including terrestrial, coastal or marine ecosystems.

Many of the resorts and hotels on the islands also strive to aid in eco-tourism through recycling and conservation. Several of them educate their guests on the importance of being ecologically mindful.