Weekend Vibes Ibiza
Set aside all of your preconceived notions about Ibiza. As Norah Casey discovers the famous party island has a whole other side where wellness and nature are celebrated.
I have wanted to go to Ibiza for years, it just never made it to the top of the bucket list. Admittedly, the reason was partly a bit of fear about whether I would enjoy mixing and mingling with the party-going, club loving devotees of the island. And while there is plenty of hedonistic pursuits to be had I was really amazed that the Ibiza I was exploring was far removed from the foam-filled dancefloors of the all-night music raves.
While the celebrity party-goers head to the south of the island to the Las Salinas in Playa d'en Bossa, I was staying in a beautiful oceanfront oasis on the west coast. Amàre Ibiza is situated on the pretty Cala de Bou beach in San Antonio Bay and is the perfect blend of Ibiza style with contemporary luxury and wellness.
This little gem opened in the summer of 2019 (there is a sister Amàre beach-front hotel in Marbella) and enjoyed a season of guests before travel was curtailed over the last couple of years. Ibiza is a great destination, just two hours twenty minutes flying time from Dublin (ryannair.com fly direct). Amàre Ibiza is a 40 minute drive from the airport and this vibrant, stylish, adults-only four-star hotel has everything you need for a weekend break. There are four restaurants, three swimming pools and a fantastic rooftop with infinity pool, great food, nighttime DJ and majestic sunsets. An evening highlight of our stay.
THE CITY OF BES
Of course before the hippies descended in droves, Ibiza, one of the Balearic Islands, had a long and rich history dating back to the Carthaginians in 654 BC (one of the oldest towns in Europe). Perhaps with the gift of foresight they named the island ‘Ibossim’ which translates to the ‘City of Bes’ – the Egyptian God of music, dance, joy and pleasure.
Fast forward (past Roman and Islamic rule) to 1235 when the Catalans (and Christianity) arrived, their gift was the incredible cathedral in Dalt Vila, which is really worth a visit. The current Catalan name, Eivissa, is also thanks to them. Ibiza is the sum of all of those parts of its varied history with many cultures, architecture and artistic influences blended together to create a harmonious, boho retreat.
CELEBRITY HAUNT
Celebrities have been flocking to this blissful island since the 1960s when Ursula Andress and Elizabeth Taylor were lured by the beaches and parties. Nowadays it’s more likely to be Amy Schumer, Kate Moss, Shakira, Idris Elba and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with Calvin Harris. Paris Hilton’s yacht takes up mooring residence during august and Fatboy Slim takes to the decks. The hotspots are inevitably Nikki Beach and the Blue Marlin (where Beyoncé and Elle Macpherson regularly grace the exclusive beach club).
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
Before the DJ decks and dance clubculture in the 80s there was rock ‘n’ roll, the genesis of Ibiza’s music scenewith the likes of Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix. And there are no shortage of stories (apocryphal and otherwise) about the rock star legends. Almost all centre on the infamous Pikes Hotel where it all began. There are rumours of Eric Clapton nearly drowning in a shipwreck back in the 70s (with George Harrison on board), it is here that Wham! Recorded their Club Tropicana video – with George Michael in the pool. That legendary 41st birthday party for Freddie Mercury was at the Pikes. And I was staying a hop and a skip across the beautiful Mediterranean waters from where it all happened.
MEDITERRANEAN LIFE
Our side of the Island was far away (not geographically as the Island is fairly small) from the Ibiza club scene. This lovely picturesque and peaceful stretch of coastline with steep cliffs and pretty little coves and beaches are full of birdsong and cicada sounds. We made the most of being right on the beach with evening trips from the jetty to see the island from the sea, we paddleboarded into tranquil caves, snorkeled in the clear blue waters and swam in the ocean when the heat of the sun had diminished. If you plan to take a boat trip then the pretty coves of Cala Bassa, Platges del Comte and Cala Tarida are unmissable. We booked through ibizajetskibeach.com.
MYSTICAL IBIZA
There is something about Ibiza that is a little bit magical, the sunshine, spectacular sea views, natural beauty and pretty towns coupled with a laid back way of life adds layers of spiritual goodness. But there is also a vibe born out of the flower power generation and it is said that the soil itself has high levels of quartz crystal.
MAGNETIC VIBRATIONS
The mystical limestone of the rock island of Es Vedrà is the stuff of myths and legends. We ventured out one evening to do some snorkeling along the south west coast and got up close and personal to the monolith - local folklore declares it the third most magnetic place on earth. True or not there is something mesmerising about the silhouette of Es Vedrà as the light starts to fade and I can see why it draws spiritual seekers for meditation and contemplation.
YOGA & WELLNESS
For me Ibiza came at just the right time while I was recovering from post-covid complications. I had developed some anxiety about travel and new things, all un-founded, but Ibiza was a very special and serene place to be.
Early on my first morning I headed to the rooftop for some sunrise yoga. It was an intimate session of just six of us and the spectacular sea views enhanced the whole experience of awakening the mind and body through some gentle yoga flow movements. It was beautiful and a lovely start to the day.
I also spent time in the wellness centre with glorious products from Spanish skincare brand Germaine de Capuccini. I love hands-on spa treatments and the signature Aromas d'Ibiza massage was 50 minutes of bliss, evocative of the scents of the island using hot oil from a candle of lavender, olive and citrus fruits.
The highlight of my wellness experiences was a sound therapy bath. I have tried sound therapy only once before and was really keen to immerse myself in a longer session. I can’t honestly tell you exactly what happened because pretty soon after the first sound vibrations began I completely zoned out. I was aware of the Tibetan Singing Bowl being placed on various parts of my body and the sounds but I was in a very deep relaxed state.
To put it in context, I loved and enjoyed the relaxation of a lovely massage the following day but I was awake and conscious throughout. The other part of my Ibiza wellness was provided by mother nature – the spectacular scenery, the sunshine, blue seas and those magnificent sunsets each evening. If only you could bottle it and take it home!
LAY YOUR HAT
Amàre is a classy hotel which makes the most of its oceanside perch with big expansive vistas from floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly frame the bluest of skies, matched by the sparkling azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The contemporary artistic interior style is exactly what you might imagine a perfect Ibiza haven to look like. Gloriously white with fun colour pops, blonde wood floors, comfy chillout spaces and quirky hanging wicker chairs abound.
Amàre cleverly separates the resort experience into three ‘club’ areas of the rooftop, pool, and beach, with each having a different vibe. There is also a feast of the senses with subtle changes in aromas and music to delineate the spaces.
Amàre is much larger than it appears, there are 366 rooms which share similar contemporary beachy interiors with balconies. Rooms are available in five categories which differ by size and views (80 per cent have sea views). The space is contemporary and compact (great beds), a lovely wicker hanging chair to lose a few hours soaking in the view.
They all come with LED televisions, air conditioning, hair-dryers and Molton Brown amenities. The top two bedroom categories - The Ooh La La The One and Dolce Vita The One - include access to a beach-front and pool side lounge and private terrace serving complimentary drinks and snacks. It was a lovely calm and relaxing place during our stay – it doesn’t get better than sipping ice cold fizz while gazing out over the ocean.
DINING
We dined at the Mare Nostrum restaurant on the first and final evening. It features an incredible buffet with freshly cooked dishes (amazing pasta).
It is also the place for breakfast with an array of fresh breads, all manner of fruits, mediterranean specialties and salads as well As a cooked breakfast and tempting fresh pastries and pancake sweet treats. During the day we ordered healthy (ish) poolside snacks of sushi, poke bowls and tapas.
Each evening we headed to the Belvue Rooftop Bar for sunset cocktails (created by world- renowned mixologist Diego Cabrera) to the mellow sounds of a cool DJ. A real treat was dining at the rooftop Hayaca with a Latin American fusion menu overseen by Michelin-starred chef Mauricio Giovanini.
THE LOW DOWN
>> Two seafront pools
>> Rooftop infinity pool
>> Beach shack on Cala de Bou beach
>> 24-hour gym
>> Complimentary yoga and HIIT classes
>> Hair and beauty salon
>> Spa (Germaine de Capuccini products)
>> Live DJs all day by the pool
>> Nightly sunset ritual on the rooftop, with DJ and live music
Visit amarehotels.com
What to do
SANT JOSEP DE SA TALAIA
For great panoramic views and an ‘o the beaten track’ trip, hire a car and drive inland to Sant Josep de sa Talaia in the foothills of Ibiza's highest mountain.
It’s a lovely quiet village of cobbled streets with a beautiful 17th-century church. Best of all you get to see the real 'Ibiza” and sample some local food with stunning views.
DALT VILA
This Unesco World Heritage Site is a fortified quarter of Ibiza Town. Dalt Vila is on a hill nestled within steep 16thcentury walls and is steeped in history.
Lose yourself for a while in its pretty laneways popping into the many boho Ibiza-style shops, restaurants and bars.
BEACH HOPPING
Head north for pretty and secluded beaches, just south of where we stayed is the lovely cove of Cala Carbo while on the opposite side is the secluded bay of Cala Xaracca. The coast, near San Antonio Bay, also has some incredible beaches.
LAS DALIAS HIPPY MARKET
There are lots of hippy markets in Ibiza but the most bohemian and atmospheric is Las Dalias in San Carlos, north of the Island, with over 200 stalls of crochet dresses, eclectic jewellery and stitched cloth bags. Head there on Saturdays (the only day it opens) and go early to avoid the crowds (from 10.00 - 20.00).