Not just for young ravers, the famous party island of Ibiza has lots to offer the luxury traveller too. From concept design stores to chic hotels with Clarins spas, read on to discover the stylish side to Ibiza.
Where To Shop
The cobbled streets of Ibiza’s heritage-listed Old Town are a great place for sight-seeing and shopping. Traditional lace and leather merchants are tucked away in the winding streets alongside souvenir shops, boutiques and houses with pretty shuttered windows.
For a uniquely Ibizan shopping experience head to the Hippy Market in Punta Arabi. Although a few copy cats have sprung up across the island, the Hippy Market at Punta Arabi is the original hippy market in Ibiza and oldest market on the island overall. Expect to find stalls stuffed full of colourful handicrafts and hippy clothing as well as live music and craft workshops.
To shop like the style-savvy locals seek out La Galeria Elefante, a concept store featuring trendy homewares and fashion finds in Santa Gertudis. There’s also a yoga studio and beauty rooms on site at this style haven so it’s a great place to spend a few indulgent hours.
For a taste of Thailand on the White Island head to trendy Bambuddah restaurant. Hidden in a quiet area 8.5km outside Santa Eulalia, Bambuddah is housed in a traditional Thai style thatched building that’s been decked out in blinging chandeliers to give it an Ibizan twist. Their infamous platters of MediterrAsian® cuisine are designed to share – fill your table with Thai Green Curry, Malaysian Tiger Prawns, Palawan BBQ Chicken Skewers and get stuck in!
To sample platters of modern tapas by innovative Spanish chef Sergi Arola, head to Vi Cool restaurant at Aguas de Ibiza Hotel in Santa Eulalia. The decor at this upmarket restaurant is just as chic as the clientele so you can enjoy some people-watching along with your patatas bravas.
Stylish Places To Party
Speaking of people-watching, there’s plenty of eye candy to admire at stylish beach club Blue Marlin. The beautiful people of Europe come to laze on the sunloungers and sip cocktails by day, and by dusk partiers arrive by yacht and luxury car to enjoy the venue’s restaurant, bar and open air nightclub. Sun beds must be reserved in advance but once you’re in you can stay, play and party into the night.
For the best pool party on the island get your hands on tickets to a club night at Ushuaia. Leading DJs take to the pool-side stage as bendy dancers float across the pool in giant inflatable balls. With names such as Armin and Avicii on the billings you can expect the party to take off at this glamorous venue.
Stylish Place To Stay
If you’re looking for somewhere stylish to retreat after all the shopping and partying, look no further than Aguas de Ibiza Lifestyle & Spa Hotel near Santa Eulalia. This luxury, 5-star hotel features contemporary, light-filled bedrooms, free wifi and unlimited spa access. (Yes really, UNLIMITED spa access – what more could you want in Ibiza?) The spa boasts more than 1,500 square metres of relaxation areas and treatments rooms and offers exclusive skincare programs in association with Clarins. The hotel also features 3 fine restaurants. including the acclaimed Vi Cool by Sergi Arola, so you don’t have far to go for superb cuisine either.
Ibiza has now been on my list for so long. Hopefully I make it there soon haha x
Love from Germany
Lynn | http://www.nexttolondon.com
Ibiza was totally different than what I expected. Here I had my first ‘real’ encounter with Tapas and stayed at the north of the island in a little boutique resident called Can Pujolet. Pictures are on my blog. It was wonderful and the vibe I got from the island was one with a red centre and loving heart. We hired a car and drove round most of it, to gain an overview and dived its pristine but bloody cold waters on our trip. I’d go again in a heartbeat. What an amazing island!