The other side of Ibiza

When you mention Ibiza as a holiday destination, most people think of clubbing, groups of stag and hen parties and tourists partying long until the early hours on the morning as they watch the sunset and sunrise.

However there is another side to this wonderful island and the 300 days of sunshine make it the perfect place for escaping our dreary, wet weather. Stepping off the plane after a short two-hour flight, I was transported to the north side of the island to Cas Pla, a boutique hotel, nestled in the hilltops with lovely sea views from the terraces.

Cas Pla is a boutique country hotel, located at San Miguel de Balanzat only 15 minutes from the city of Ibiza.

Ibiza may be small – measuring approximately 35 kilometres in length at its longest point, and just 20 kilometres in width but it makes an ideal destination for short or long stays on the island as nowhere is very far away.
The boutique hotels come under two categories Agro-tourism, which are situated on rural land where the owners combine agriculture, husbandry, forestry with B&B and Country hotels which provide accommodation, breakfast and a minimum of half board, some also offer spa facilities, yoga classes and trips for diving, biking, horse riding, golf and sailing.

After refreshments, I was shown around the old city of Ibiza by my guide Dominique Lacroix. The historic tour started with the renaissance walls built around 1555, walking through the narrow streets you will find the places like the contemporary art museum, convent church, Monastery of Sant Cristófol, that Cathedral and Puget Museum.

After a paella lunch at one of the nearby beach restaurants, I took a short taxi ride to Atzaró. Standing in its own orange groves, this ancient estate has been converted into a unique place to relax, with beautiful rooms, an haute cuisine restaurant and exclusive Spa.

As I headed for the Spa, walking through the grounds past rows of large day beds for the guests to lounge on, past the long, narrow pool I caught a glimpse of a yoga class taking place outside in the afternoon sun. The spa was beautiful and my own yoga class, personally tailored to my level of fitness, somehow seemed far more relaxing than the cold village hall back home.

After a quick swim, I changed and made my way to one of their restaurants for an amazing seven-course dinner before heading back to my room at Cas Pla.

Day two gave me an opportunity to visit the unspoilt beaches of Ibiza, hidden coves, crystal water and gentle chill-out music playing from the beachside restaurants. After another wonderful lunch of bullit de peix, a local freshly caught fish and potato stew, I made my way to Hotel Hacienda N Xamena, perched dramatically 80 metres above sea level on the edge of a cliff.

Famous for The ‘Cascadas Suspendidas’, combining high-tech thalasso treatments with spectacular views of the ocean, the waterfalls feature a series of relaxing rock pools, to wash away, your stresses, ache and pains while gazing out over the ocean.

Started in 1969 by the architect Daniel Lipszyc, a Belgium architect, Daniel and his wife finally opened the hotel in 1971 and over the years has become the most quoted hotel on the island because of it’s discreet luxury and magical atmosphere.

Now run by his son, Alvar Lipszye, he speaks passionately about the island and the hotel. He explained the philosophy behind the architecture and the choice of natural materials and planting. The result is that you feel safe, surrounded by nature and the natural environment I felt instantly at ease with my surroundings.

After watching the famous sunset of Ibiza from the terrace, I savoured the sensational food in the El Sueno de Estrellas, one of their four restaurants. The five-course meal could only be described as a sensation for the tastebuds, a cuisine without borders designed to give the body energy, vitamins and pleasure all at the same time.

This like many other of the small boutique hotels on the island, left me feeling that I could come here with friends, family or even travelling on my own for peace and relaxation…

Ibiza is packed full of spectacular surprises, all of which reveal themselves as soon as you leave behind the larger towns and head for the woods and beaches. Indeed, the island has around sixty beaches, an abundance of hills, forests, cliffs, small villages, traditional restaurants, exclusive eateries, stunning architecture, breathtaking sunsets.
the perfect destination for anyone looking to improve their health and wellbeing.

Ibiza has now found a place in my heart… and yes I will be returning very soon.

Hotels we visited

Cas Pla
Sant Miquel de Balanzat
www.caspla-ibiza.com

Atzaró
Santa Eulalia
www.atzaro.com

Hotel Hacienda Na Xamena
San Miguel
www.hotelhacienda-ibiza.com

Aguas de Ibiza
Santa Eulalia
www.aguasdeibiza.com

Amante Beach Club & Restaurant
Santa Eularia
www.amanteibiza.com

Es Cucons
Santa Agnes de Corona
www.escucons.com