Hotel Meliá Cala Galdana – Stunning Beachfront, Struggles with Accessibility

Set directly above the famous Cala Galdana beach in Menorca, the Meliá Cala Galdana has everything going for it in terms of location. The turquoise bay, white sand, and pine-covered cliffs create a postcard-perfect setting that’s hard to beat.But when it comes to accessibility, my experience was mixed, and in some ways, very disappointing.

Booking & Arrival

Even before arrival, booking an accessible room was a struggle. The hotel’s website doesn’t clearly indicate which rooms are adapted, and communication with staff was confusing. Upon arrival, things got worse: the accessible room wasn’t ready, and I had to spend the first night in a room where I couldn’t even use the bathroom. For a wheelchair user, this was a terrible and stressful start. Eventually, we were moved into an adapted family room, which made things more manageable, but the whole process left me with a negative impression of the hotel’s accessibility management.

The Accessible Room

Once settled, the family room did provide a better setup, but still had limitations:

• Space: Tight navigation around the bed, tricky for a wheelchair.

• Bathroom:

  • Built-in shower bench, too low, and difficult for safe transfers.

  • Grab rails present, but not ideally placed.

  • Sink not very accessible for wheelchair users.

Overall, the room felt more adapted than truly accessible.

The Hotel & Facilities

The hotel itself is large and modern, with plenty of amenities:

• Restaurants and common areas are accessible, with step-free entry and spacious layouts.

• Pools: Two in total.

  • One feels older and less inviting.

  • The beachfront pool requires stairs to enter, making it unusable for me.

• Beach access: This is where things became most difficult. To reach Cala Galdana beach, guests must use a very steep, high ramp. On my own, this would have been impossible. Even with help, it was unsafe and stressful.

  
  

At the beach itself:

• There’s a reserved accessible area with picnic tables.

• Accessible toilets are available.

• A beach shower chair was provided, but unfortunately, it was broken.

• Hotel sunbeds come at an extra charge, even for guests.

The beach is truly beautiful and worth visiting, but I wouldn’t recommend this hotel for a full holiday if you’re a wheelchair user who wants independence.

Location

The location is undeniably the highlight: Cala Galdana beach is breathtaking, one of the most stunning on the island. Nearby, there are other hotels, including the Artiem Audax Hotel, which may provide better accessibility for some travelers.

Final Thoughts

The Meliá Cala Galdana offers spectacular views and direct access to one of Menorca’s most famous beaches. But accessibility is inconsistent, poorly managed, and in my case, left me completely dependent on my travel companion.

• For ambulant wheelchair users, or travelers able to manage stairs and steep ramps, this hotel could be manageable.

• For full-time wheelchair users, like me, it’s not a recommended choice.

Beautiful setting, but accessibility shortcomings and high prices, make this hotel hard to recommend for disabled travelers.

My stay: september 2025