somewhere2stayVilla C'an Marques in Menorca, Balearic Islands

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Sitting in extensive gardens, the spacious Villa C'an Marqués has a really substantial feel to it. On top of that, it enjoys a quiet but handy location in Cala'n Porter - just a five-minute walk from shops and restaurants and another five or so further on to the beach.

The house makes a great first impression thanks to its graceful balustrades and terracotta-roofed verandah. The imposing looks continue inside, too. An exterior staircase rises to the front door and the single-storey accommodation, which is grandly furnished in traditional style. Chequered tiles, solid dark wood furniture and a grandfather clock greet you in the dining room, which flows through an archway into a roomy lounge featuring built-in cabinets, elegant sofas and a large, flatscreen TV. Setting the seal on everything is the compact, pine-fitted kitchen and four bedrooms. Comfortable and airy, they are made up of two double rooms and one twin furnished with beautiful antique bedsteads. The remaining twin room strikes a more modern note, with smart, wrought iron bedsteads.

Outside, the gardens are well stocked with shrubs and boast a water well that adds to the sense of grand rusticity. The good-sized pool sits to the front and is overlooked by a sunbathing terrace and a fantastic, built-in barbecue area. The finishing touch comes from the shaded verandah, which is reached through doors from the lounge and makes a lovely venue for alfresco wining and dining.