Gunpowder Does Ibiza
Those who like their clubbing fast-paced, frenzied and frenetic will love Ibiza, a craggy Balearic Island that sits just off the coast of Spain. Renowned for the world-famous DJs who flock here every year to play its clubs and for the partygoers who spend most of their week-stay in Ecstasy-and alcohol-induced hazes, Ibiza certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted. But aside from the non-stop partying, it’s somewhat surprising to discover that the island itself is a natural beauty with long stretches of beach, rustic architecture and more U.N. World Heritage Sites than revellers can spoil. Charter a yacht to the neighbouring island of Formentera or take a hike to the natural mud baths of the north to get a glimpse of the island’s underrated beauty. If you want to stay put, then have a walk around the cobblestone streets of Ibiza Town; Dalt Vila, the oldest part, is a Unesco World Heritage site and comprises a tiny modern art museum that proves Ibiza has more than a little culture. But of course, you have to do some partying while on the party isle, so head to a superclub such as Space, Pacha, Privilege and Amnesia to sweat ‘n’ sway until noon the next day. If you like your clubbing experience a little more chilled, then swing by the iconic Café del Mar or the rooftop bar of L’Elephant to watch the sunset with an ice-cold Coronita in hand. Indeed, there’s no better way to bid adieu to another languid day in paradise.
In typical Gunpowder fashion, we suggest staying at one of the island’s luxury boutique hotels, complete with five-star service, fine-dining and fine thread-count sheets. El Pacha Hotel fits the bill nicely, and is arguably one of the hippest places to stay on the whole island. Decked out in signature white, El Pacha is situated just minutes from the famous nightclub of the same name and offers 57 well-appointed suites in hedonistic, state-of-the-art surroundings. Minimalist and stylish, El Pacha also has an outdoor pool for the obligatory après-party skinny-dipping. If you’d rather stay somewhere a little more private but still in the heart of things, then snap up the keys to Villa Roca, a popular hideaway for royals and rockstars. Carved into a cliff that overlooks some of Ibiza’s best beaches, the private cubist-style villa is completely neighbourless apart from the surrounding pine trees, meaning you'll enjoy the type of privacy only dreamt of by paparazzi-hounded celebrities. Featuring a swimming pool with underwater windows, a bar and a rooftop terrace with Jacuzzi, your stay on the island can be as wild or as sedate as you want; the choice is completely yours.
If you want to be a little further away from the action, however, then you may be better suited to something more country chic. As a converted century-old farmhouse Atzaró is as rustic as contemporary boutique beauties get, with just ten rooms for ten very exclusive guests. Boasting original Ibizencan architecture, a Zen-like ambience and features such as private terraces, courtyards, open fireplaces and a swimming pool, guests will feel completely at home. Hangover munchies? No problem; simply step into the in-house restaurant, which serves Mediterranean food with a nouvelle twist, to soak up all those cocktails. Another rustic wonder is Hotel Rural Es Cucons. Perfect for those with a love of interior design, the hotel is built into a magnificent country house that dates back to 1652 and is where the A-listers stay when they’re in town. Set majestically before the sea, the hotel is an oasis of calm and tranquillity, where anything goes and nothing is expected of you but to relax and enjoy yourself.
Naturally, when staying in places like these you’re advised to avoid rolling in completely drunk, though no stay in Ibiza would be complete without a little rock ‘n’ roll behaviour.
For a bite to eat outside of the hotels you stay in try the ultra-trendy Es Torrent in San Josep, Ibiza’s answer to San Tropez’s Club 55. Cool, relaxed and painfully trendy, you’ll be able to while away the languid hours over sangria and paella with some of the funkiest people in town. For dinner check out Ama Lur in the centre of San Miguel, where the elite spend their evenings munching on Mediterranean fare with an innovative Basque twist. Set in an old country house with a large garden terrace, fine-dining has never been so, er, fine.
Ruined somewhat by the football shirt-wearing Brits who come to puke on its pavements, it’s refreshing to learn that Ibiza is more than just a party town; it’s a place of wonderful hospitality and beautiful culture; of classy establishments and unspoilt nature; it is, some might say, paradise on earth. So do Ibiza this year; just make sure you do it Gunpowder-style.
/ Hotels
www.elhotelpacha.com
www.villarocaibiza.com
www.atzaro.com
www.escucons.com
