‘Thank you for all your hard work, cabin crew,’ the pilot said over the tannoy as we touched down in Ibiza, ‘you’ll have to do it all again in half an hour.’
This tongue-in-cheek thanks was due to the two huge groups of hammered hens on our plane – shout-out to the bride-to-be who was sitting in front of me FaceTiming her fiancé during the entire pre-flight safety talk with a vape in her hand.
This is pretty much exactly what I expected from the plane ride over to this clubber’s playground.
But, while everybody knows Ibiza is famous for being a partier’s paradise – more of that below – the island also has plenty to offer the club-adverse as well.
Ibiza’s size means the tranquil, hilly countryside isn’t that far away from the hustle and bustle. This, in turn, meant that barely an hour and a half after we landed, we were already chilling by the pool at the stunning Las Cicadas villa in central Ibiza, near a village called Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera.
During our stay, the sprawling 500-year-old restored farmhouse had been transformed into Casa San Miguel. (We had a competition being run by the brand to thank for that, and as a beer fan, I certainly wasn’t complaining!)
The whole place was quiet, calm, and idyllic. Set far enough back from the main road to ensure the only sounds you can hear are the birds and the breeze rustling the trees that surround the place, it was truly an escape.
The meal we enjoyed on the spacious patio one balmy evening was delightful, and sipping on a bevy by the giant pool with the sun beating down on me was my idea of heaven.
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I could have quite happily spent the whole trip just chilling at that villa.
But there was gorgeous relaxation elsewhere on the agenda too, and I certainly wasn’t going to give that a miss.
A four-hour boat trip took us around parts of Ibiza’s perimeter, the calm, crystal blue Mediterranean gently rocking many of our number into a little siesta between stops to let us take a dip and soak up the scenery.
There was no way I wasn’t getting in, but the very still sea was nice to look at but pretty cold, so a quick splash about was all I could handle.
If you decide to take your own boat trip out, try to squeeze in a trip around Es Vedrà to take in the impressive island that’s said to be the home of sea nymphs and sirens.
After we disembarked, we freshened up for dinner at La Torre, a secluded hotel and eatery that promises ‘one of the most magic sunsets of the world’… and definitely delivers.
La Torre has partnered with San Miguel throughout summer for that very reason, offering a tapas-centric ‘Sundown Experience’ that more than lives up to the hype.
Our meal, which included bread with aioli and marinated olives, croquettes with blue cheese, patatas bravas, padron pepers, Iberian ham with bread and tomato chipirones, and aguachile with prawns, was very enjoyable.
That goes double for the dessert platter, which was piled with sorbets, cakes, cream, and a chocolate fondant that was to die for.
We were also greeted with a Sundown Spritz cocktail made with the eponymous beer that wasn’t too shabby either. In total, this would all set you back €150 [£130.33] per person.
With the restaurant perched atop a cliff overlooking the water, I’d recommend taking a break from your table to wander just a little closer to that gorgeous horizon while you watch the sun meet the sea.
Another popular laid-back eatery with incredible views over the water is Es Boldado on the southwestern side of the island where the seafood comes highly recommended by patrons.
All this is to say that, whether you’re an attack-the-day kind of girlie or more into rotting by the pool, don’t rule out Ibiza for your next holiday.
Sure, the island’s reputation might not have it at the top of the to-visit lists of those who prefer the day over the night.
But, from scenic boat trips and stunning clifftop sunsets to just laying by a pool listening to the breeze brush through the olive trees, there’s so much beauty around the island to enjoy far away from the party scene.
However, if you are heading to the White Isle to party…
Then tick these four off your list:
Ibiza’s Wow Factor
If you’re looking for somewhere that offers the luxe factor, but won’t break the bank, then a hidden gem called House of WOW hits the spot perfectly. A restaurant and bar, it is packed with greenery and decadent decor, with a chilled-out super-stylish outdoor area that’s home to endless tables and big old beds. But don’t be fooled by all this glam, as the prices are pretty reasonable for Ibiza.
Cocktails are around the £8 mark and come with fun little touches (the frozen gin and tonic is, well, frozen, and the Aperol-based Paper Plane comes with a… you get the gist). The food also gives that little bit extra – one dish is called The Best Green Salad You’ll Have This Week, while you can get your mac n cheese topped with truffles or beef cheek.
A definite new jewel in Ibiza’s crown, so discover it before everyone else does!
Cocktails start at €9.50, for more information click here.
Soak in a pool party
Not for the faint-hearted, Ibiza Rocks is the place to go if you fancy a bit of razzle-dazzle while you sizzle under the poolside sun. Declared ‘the biggest and the best’ daytime pool parties in Ibiza, you can dance anywhere you can find space in or around the pool that sits in front of a huge stage. Performers this season include Becky Hill and Joel Corry, while punters can make the most of the afternoon with boozy packages that include prosecco, mega-bottles of Grey Goose – and obligatory sparklers to make sure all eyes are on you!
Tickets for each event are priced separately, and start from just €10, for more information click here.
Club Tropicana
Pikes is one of those ‘if you know, you know’ places and the hotel certainly lives up to its rock n roll party reputation. With events throughout the summer, such as Balearic Brunch, All Back to Mine with Gok Wan and a set from returning friend Fatboy Slim, there’s something for everyone – as long as you’re over 25.
The dance floor is called ‘intimate’ – and they’re not wrong – but that’s what makes this place so special. There are nooks and crannies to explore everywhere, and the garden terrace is a great space to cool down in, as it can get quite packed.
If you head down during the day you can even splash around in the famous pool from the iconic Wham! Video. Of course, if you really fancy filling your Pikes boots with both, you can even book a stay at the newly-refurbed hotel, that once was a favourite of Freddie Mercury.
Pikes Room rates start from €199 per room in the low season, while Garden Suite rates start from €312 per room in low season. For more information and to find out about Pikes club nights click here.
Club Classic
Pacha may be 50 this year, but Ibiza’s original nightclub can still throw a damn good party. Get sweaty on their famous dance floor under the laser beams and fancy ceiling (which is always packed to the brim, which is half the fun) or explore further and head up to their chill-out area, where you’ll find a pretty good mojito to sip on while cooling down on the sofas.
This summer the iconic club has handed over the decks to the likes of CamelPhat and Robin Schulz. And given the queues to get in (so buy a ticket), the place is showing no sign of getting old, despite hitting the big 5-0.
Prices for events vary, but early bird tickets start at €30. For more information click here.
How to get there
This weekend, return flights from London to Ibiza start at £212 from British Airways.
As for the villa, that’s booked up until October. If you did want to book to stay when it’s available, you’ll have to chat with the owners because the cost will depend on the number of days and adults planning to book it.
And yes, you do have to book the whole thing – you can’t just reserve it room by room.
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