With insider knowledge as a former Ibiza resident, Laura Garner steps into the position of travel writer and breaks down the must-visit places for a luxe break on the White Isle.

Touchdown

Luxury begins in this small yet smart airport, and straight into the pick-up zone where there are so many options for getting around the White Isle to choose from. For a hassle-free trip, Infinity Luxury Car Service (infinityluxurycarservice.com) have every journey from start to finish arranged. Think digital boards with your name on, air-con, mini-bar and a soft subtle soundtrack, to transport you to your next destination. If you’re more of a do-it-yourself driver, VIP Cars Ibiza (ibizavipcars.com/en/) are the epitome of high-end vehicle luxury. Choose from Aston Martin’s, Bentley’s to Maserati’s and even Ferrari’s - a home-from-home for some. For the fun-loving adventurer, one of the highly-available white taxi’s for five to seven people may suffice, and if you want to explore on a later date, Beach Buggies are the only way to be seen pulling up to the beaches and coves on Evissa.

 Sandy Sanctuary’s

For all the fun and hype built around the new ‘it’ destination for the club-loving teens Playa den Bossa, venturing down the coast just a few minutes to Figueretas is where the real adult fun begins. Known as the islands’ destination for those with style, this small yet sun-drenched spot is sure to supply just the right amount of people watching. Its much-loved neighbour around from Dalt Villa, Talamanca, is where Cathy Gutta has just opened her latest beach party offering, Bikini (bikinibycathyguetta.com) and Nobu (nobuhotelibizabay.com) has chosen to set up its hotel on the island. For those who want a true taste of laid-back Ibiza and long open stretches of beach, Sas Salinas is a must visit, as is the famous Cala Bassa Beach Club (cbbcibiza.com/en/) and Babylon Beach (babylonbeachbar.com/). For picturesque views head to Cala d’hort where you’ll be blown away by the stunning (and magically magnetic) Es Vedra, which stands proudly in the Mediterranean Sea.

Lounging at Lunch

Lunch is a thing in Ibiza, and it’s not just reserved for laying idol on a beach or hiding in your room for a siesta. Places like Cotton Beach Club (cottonbeachclub.com) have set a precedent for daytime drinking, lounging and eating and the original in Cala Tarida is one to visit about 2pm for good food and an even better soundtrack. Passion Cafe (passion-ibiza. com) in Marina Botafoch is excellent for filling up with vitamins and nutrients lost in other parts of the island, and the area offers a tremendous post-lunch walk too. In Benirass each Sunday, a new meaning is given to a Sunday lunch, as Elements (elements-ibiza.com) serves as the starter course to an early evening of bongo drumming as thousands of islanders and tourists hit the beach to celebrate the sunset. Across the island around from San Antonio, El Chiringuito at Cala Gracioneta (elchiringuitoibiza.com) is the tiny but beautiful spot to grab a sparkling glass of something and kick back while grazing on some of the best tapas around. Well if it’s good enough for the Mambo Brothers…

Daytime Deluxe

Any luxe-lusting reveller worth their weight has been and been seen in Blue Marlin (bluemarlinibiza.com) - the very beautiful and stylish destination in Cala Jondal. The rocky beach is a dramatic and majestic setting for this lounge, restaurant and bar which famously has some of the best DJ’s on the island playing for guests both day and night. Beach House (beachouseibiza.com) in Playa Den Bossa is a new addition to the roster, adding to the likes of Ushuaia (theushuaiaexperience.com) where resident DJ’s play for the sun-seeking loungers each day and it’s neighbour Hard Rock Hotel, which also offers up day passes for guests wanting a slice of the five star luxury party. Ultimate mid-day party vibes at their best are served up at Destino in Jesus though. We don’t need to tell you about it, just go and see for yourself.

Dinner with a Difference

When Heart Ibiza (heartibiza.com) opened a couple of years ago, people said it would never work on the island. Cirque du Solei and two of Spain’s most prized chefs Ferran and Albert Adrià plus Guy Laliberté had islanders tutting, yet tourists intrigued. Fast forward to 2018 and Heart is celebrating one of it’s most successful years to date as the immersive, gastronomic, club-come-restaurant-come-circus is a myriad of everything that makes Ibizan dining what it is today - fun! Across the harbour and into the old town, you can basque in the traditional cooking delights of Spain at La Bodega (labodegaibiza.es/en/) - tapas like you will taste it nowhere else in the world. La Oliva (laolivaibiza.com) up the ramp in the old castle is a romantic spot, as are the likes of long-loved KM5 (km5-lounge.com/en), Bambudda Grove (bambuddha.com), Amante (amanteibiza.com) (outdoor cinema anyone) Sa Punta (sapuntaibiza.com) and of course former chapel, Sa Cappella. New kids of the dining spots include Nobu Hotel (nobuhotelibizabay.com), Izakaya (izakaya- restaurant.com/ibiza) and STK (togrp.com/venue/stk-ibiza), both of which have grown in gravitas in their short time on the island.

Into the Night

Hi (hiibiza.com) might be the new club name on everyone’s lips but for anyone that knows what a party means in Ibiza has a tale or two to tell about Pikes. Free entry and guest list on request, plus a rural location mean that Pikes (pikesibiza.com) is intentionally off the beaten-track and wants to stay that way. Now run by it’s more commercial older brother Ibiza Rocks (think Craig David and live shows by urban/indie artists), Pikes is everything you would have imagined Ibiza to be circa 1983. Carefully curated artwork, a dressing up room, beds for dancing on, a bathtub karaoke party complete with ball pond filling and the ultimate party host du jour, Sunny. For those who like to experience a larger club, Pacha (pachaibiza.com) is a must visit. This multi-layered super club was one of the originals and still stands as a must-visit to date. Amnesia (amnesia.es) for Music On (musicon.com) and the club’s younger sister Cova Santa (covasanta.com) for after-party vibes and dancing from sunrise to sunset and back again. Its recent collaboration with Elrow and Absolute was out of this world!

Sleep, Rest and Recoup

Hotel MiM Es Vive (hotelmimibiza.com) is by far one of the chicest hotels on the island. Nestled away in an unassuming back street in Figueretas, this art deco inspired hotel has its own private club, spacious and airy rooms and the most brilliant room service you could ever imagine. For out-of-the-way relaxing and recuperating, try Atzaro (www.atzaro.com). If it’s linear pool doesn’t send you into a trance, the daily yoga sessions and spa treatments certainly will. Similarly, the pools in the Hacienda Na Xamena (haciendanaxamena-ibiza.com/) are as equally divine as the rooms.

Laura Garner

Disclaimer: All businesses featured in this article were operating at the time of print. The Cheshire Magazine does not accept any responsibility for a negative outcome upon recommending any of the services and places mentioned in this article.