If you wake up in the morning in one of the cozy beds in Magister Gardens and see through one of the windows, you can look out over the beautifully designed Mediterranean garden. Fruit trees exude a delicate fragrance, the water ripples in the swimming pool, bird singing is omnipresent and wild turtles indulge in the water of the irrigation system.
The 100-year-old, listed farmhouse is located in the middle of the Balearic island of Menorca, which was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1993. In 2012, the property was purchased by the couple Nicholas Hughes and Lorena Galvani, and the house was extensively renovated. To do this, each wooden beam and each terracotta tile had to be removed, refurbished and used again. The effort was worth it: the property is in an architectural pearl. If you are looking for authentic, quiet country life, this hidden gem is the perfect place.
The simple and harmonious coloring, the natural stone facade, the Mediterranean light and the modern, stylish furnishing create a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. The house is spacious and offers plenty of space to relax. There is a total of sleeping places for eight to ten people, three bathrooms, a separate toilet on the ground floor, a spacious kitchen with dining area and a living room. In the well-equipped kitchen, numerous delicacies can be prepared from the typical Balearic delicacies.
The house is surrounded by a well-tended garden with many old fruit trees, protected by a typical stone wall. The site covers a total of 2,600 square meters. With a good book, you can have a good time under the shady pergola, if you want to refresh yourself, jump into the old cistern that was converted into a swimming pool.
Magister Gardens is located on the outskirts of the small village of Alaior, which has supermarkets, playgrounds, bars and restaurants and can be reached in ten minutes on foot. Ideal for early risers who want to surprise their family with fresh bread and a newspaper for breakfast. Several beaches can be reached in just a few minutes by car.
Rooms + Rates
| entire house | from400 € |
Sustainable
ArchitectureThe property is a Grade I listed building from the 19th century that was in very poor condition only a few years ago. Between 2012 and 2015, the house was renovated extensively and with a lot of manual work. To do this, each wooden beam and each terracotta tile had to be removed, refurbished and reinserted. As far as possible, original materials were used; all new materials come from the surrounding area. Cork was used for natural insulation. The new owners, two landscape architects, placed great emphasis on garden design. The terraced grounds with ancient fruit trees, flowers and green lawns are playgrounds for many animals.
FoodMagister Gardens is designed for self-catering. Depending on the season, it is possible to buy the farm's own produce, such as wild Mediterranean honey, olives, capers, berries, apricots, figs, lemons, oranges, limes, blood oranges, cherries, apples, peaches, plums and grapes.
Much of the furniture, such as beds and bedside tables, was made by local artisans. Numerous furnishings have been manufactured by a local initiative that is committed to providing people with low income with an economic opportunity. When there are no guests on the property, the staff can help themselves to the fruit and vegetables that are growing on the premises. Income from self-produced products such as jams are divided fairly.
EnvironmentThe entire building was insulated with natural cork so that no electricity-intensive air conditioning is necessary. The water supply is particularly efficient: rainwater is collected and used. Dirty and gray water are recorded separately. The wastewater is reprocessed using a special biological system that uses gray water for irrigation. The hot water for the building is heated using a solar system. The staff was trained to be particularly environmentally friendly. The owners work with the local forest and nature conservation organization IBANAT. Many of the property's Mediterranean plants were bought by the organization that raised the plants from wild seeds.
Characteristics
- Beautifully renovated old country estate
- Rural oasis of calm in the Menorca Biosphere Reserve
- Mediterranean gardens
- Shops nearby, next village about ten minutes away on foot
- Possibility to book a chef who conjures up delicious dishes using local and regional ingredients.
- Nearest beach twelve minutes away by car
- Massages and yoga classes can be booked
- For those seeking peace, people who love country life and families
Features
- Holiday house with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms + separate toilet
- Living room with fireplace
- Fully equipped kitchen with gas hob, fridge, freezer, dishwasher and electric oven
- Large garden with pool and grill
- TV, DVD player, music system, books
- Washer, dryer, iron and ironing board available
- Bed linen and towels available
- Baby cot and high chairs on request, additional cot for an extra charge
- Non smoking property
- Free parking
- No cleaning fee
- A vegetable garden and a chicken coop are being planned
Rooms + Rates
| entire house | from400 € |
Location + Directions
By boat
From the port in Maó it takes about 20 minutes by car.
By plane
Menorca Airport is just 15 minutes away by car.
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