This month, in its article ‘3 Beautiful Balearic Breaks’, Condé Nast Traveller heralded the opening of Luxury Villa Hotel Cugó Gran in Menorca. Its reference to Cugó Gran as a ‘Super Villa’ is prescient since this new luxury full-service bespoke villa aims to bring the concept of the Super Yacht ashore.
This month, in its article ‘3 Beautiful Balearic Breaks’, Condé Nast Traveller heralded the opening of Luxury Villa Hotel Cugó Gran in Menorca. Its reference to Cugó Gran as a ‘Super Villa’ is prescient since this new luxury full-service bespoke villa aims to bring the concept of the Super Yacht ashore.
Privately-owned, Cugó Gran is the culmination of many years of meticulous renovation of an old Menorcan farmhouse with exceptional attention to detail. Sleeping up to 22 guests in 11 en-suite bedrooms, Cugó Gran is situated in a 250-acre estate in the countryside just outside San Climent, and has breath-taking 180° sea views with Mallorca on the horizon.
Cugó Gran is managed by Toby Thornton and Tamsin Adlington both of whom, have extensive experience working at the most exclusive end of the hospitality industry. Toby has worked as a Private Chef, Butler and Personal Assistant to private clients in London, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Tamsin has worked as a Private PA in Chelsea, London, and in international marketing. Their experience ranges from managing families, as well as corporate groups, to Toby owning his own restaurant. Toby has been coming to the island for over 30 years and has extensive knowledge of Menorca and all that it has to offer.
“Most super yachts are totally self-sufficient in terms of providing the owner or guests with a full armoury of the highest trained staff at the top of their game from Chefs to Butlers and Captains to steer the ship to whichever wonderful location they so wish to go. Whilst budgets do exist on most boats, generally anything within reason can be organised and carried out, with seamless precision,” says Toby Thornton.
From the minute you step on board the crew know your name, your favourite drink, and will, if they are really good, always be available at the right moment without being noticeable. Crew need to be forward thinking and preempt situations before they occur. For example, the Butler notices the lady at the end of the table starts to feel cold at dinner; a pashmina might be placed on the side of her chair before she even needs to ask for it… there has to be the utmost attention to detail.
Luxury Villa Hotel, Cugó Gran will have its own in-house concierge team to take care of the guest experience, both prior to and during the stay. The team includes a House Manager, an Assistant Manager, an Events Coordinator, a Chef, a Butler, Hostesses and Housemaids. A member of staff will be on-site 24/7 and a driver will be available to guests daily. Qualified nannies, personal trainers, nutritionists, therapists, yoga and Pilates instructors can also be arranged.
A stylish venue for gatherings both large and small, Cugó Gran can organize everything from special events and weddings, to activities such as yacht charters, beach picnics, guided walking and cycling tours, and wine and gin tastings.
The name Cugó Gran is believed to derive from the word Cugulló Gran, or ‘Grand Peak’. The Estate has its own vineyard, lavender fields, exquisitely landscaped gardens, greenhouses to supply its own cut-flowers, and vegetable and herb gardens. Whilst totally secluded, Cugó Gran is conveniently located just 10 minutes by car from Menorca Airport and 15 minutes from the capital, Mahón.
Facilities at Cugó Gran include a 25-metre outdoor heated pool, a barbecue area, a gym and a massage treatment room. The property is fully air-conditioned and has under floor heating for the cooler months. A new top-of-the-line Spa and Gym will open in 2016.
For children, there is an outdoor play area, hand-built tree house and swings, giant Jenga, outdoor chess, and a croquet lawn to keep the adults entertained as well.
At the heart of Cugó Gran will be inspirational Mediterranean cuisine; this is included in the offering and is prepared by a highly experienced and professionally-trained chef. All the ingredients will be of the highest quality, locally sourced, where possible, and skillfully prepared and presented. There will be a selection of fine local and world wines and spirits on offer, as well as wine from the neighbouring Sa Forana Estate incorporating grapes from Cugó Gran’s own vineyard.