Known for decades as a clubbing and party island, Ibiza is now transforming into a sophisticated destination. Luxury hotels, events and gourmet restaurants are making this lovely island a chic holiday retreat.
I recently visited Ibiza where I found the charming Atzaro Agroturismo housed in a 300 year old finca, a white plastered 24 room hotel set in ten hectares of lush gardens and orange groves. Family owned for centuries, the property has old black and white photographs of the Gusch family on its walls and is furnished throughout with pieces from its own design company. With influences from Morocco and Indonesia everything is made to order in an understated fashion which the hotel calls ‘natural luxury’
Then it was on to the newly opened 7 Pines resort – an unashamedly modern hotel with the sleek lines of a luxury yacht. One of The Leading Hotels of The World, it has 186 spacious suites spread over an area of 56,000 square metres.
Ibiza also has an interesting food scene and is set to host the The Amorevore Food & Arts Festival (26-28 October) with stands of street food, wild food walks, long table banquets,pop up dining, cookery demonstrations and photography exhibitions.
The festival highlights Ibiza’s growing status as a artisanal food destination and offers insights into global food issues. My favourite eating spots included fresh seafood overlooking the sea at Atzuro Beach with its beach club atmosphere to farm to table fare at rural garden restaurant Aubergine. Vegan dining establishment Wild Beets is run by long-time Ibiza resident American Cliff Rubin
British Airways flies to Ibiza from London Gatwick.
