Why go?
Six Senses Ibiza draws in weary aesthetes – ready to sign off from the outside world and exist in a sun-dappled dimension, where design weaves reverentially into the surrounding landscapes and treatments and farm-to-table dining nourish body and soul.
Honeymoon style
This is where to go for guaranteed privacy and the chance to properly lower shoulders and recalibrate. The world’s beau monde descend on this photogenic stretch of coastline for an array of activities and innovative spa treatments, as well as simply relaxing by a good-looking pool. It’s a firm reminder that healthy, fresh dishes can be just as delicious as the butter and salt-laden sort (courtesy of five authentic, and wildly creative restaurants keeping island simplicity at their core). Ultimately, it’s the most tranquil and surreal of Balearic settings, where even the pool seems to fold into the surrounding landscape and the hotel doubles up as an amphitheatre for those blazing, crimson sunsets.
Set the scene
Chiselled into the craggy cliff face, this gloriously isolated hotel sends jaws dropping from the first glimpse. Friendly staff dressed in candy striped polos and chinos welcome you into the gently futuristic space, awash with terracotta and turquoise, and with a Porsche tractor summing up the very nature of the farm-to-fork operation here. The ‘lobby’ (more a plush sitting room) is located on the upper level, looking down over the cascading triple-level restaurant with gnarled olive trees drifting on to meet the sea. Peachy, terracotta walkways and minimalist white corridors, lined with island photographs and artwork carefully selected for the setting, snake around the resort. The furniture shows off true craftsmanship with tactile wooden masterpieces at every turn. Meandering terracotta steps adjoin each level of the hotel, silky underfoot and golden in the evening light. Native trees and wildflowers soften the near brutalist concrete buildings and the main infinity pool (a centre point) tips onto dramatic rolling hills, and is surrounded by white-fringed sunbeds. There’s a daily schedule of holistic yoga, pilates and workshops such as making your own lip balm from beeswax and other natural ingredients to keep green fingered guests busy.
Rooms
While it certainly doesn’t feel large, the resort is sizeable with 137 rooms in total, and 19 state-of-the-art residences including the Residential Suite (which with its private entrance and recording studio surely sets the bar). For honeymooners, the Seaview Premium Junior Suite is highly recommended, with its spacious private deck and the feel of a seriously stylish villa, just with slick hotel service. The outdoor space is configured like an opera balcony for the sunrise and sunset show with its rustic, driftwood canopy, while concrete beds, blooming with native wildflowers, soften the overall picture. With an alfresco dining area and day bed for two, it’s tempting to stay here for the entire trip and work your way down a wholesome (and wholly delicious) room service menu.
Inside, white, smooth concrete is mixed with natural woods, rattans and all the modcons you’d expect. Bathrooms are vast, with a standalone bathtub, gentle rain shower, marble his and hers sinks and colourful patterned bathrobes. Furniture tows the rustic ‘White Isle’ line with natural linens and and sink-in-to-me off-white sofas. Slicing dramatically through this subdued, organic picture are black-framed floor-to-ceiling doors that frame the sea and mountain views outside.
Food and drink
North is the place for a romantic Mediterranean alfresco dinner. The relaxed candlelit restaurant sits under mature olive trees just off the main pool, with an open kitchen, low cushioned seats and chunky wooden tables. You can slip off your sandals and sink into your seat whilst exploring a tantalising menu blending Israeli and Ibizan dishes. Throughout the resort it’s all about the fresh produce, North showcases this with many standout vegetarian plates and seafood dishes. The Farmers Market sits at the centre of it all (including Six Senses renowned farm-to-table ethos), where breakfast is served daily and evenings here feel buzzy and atmospheric with live music. The adjoining Orchard serves Italian-inspired cuisine amid its smooth terracotta walls and rush of scrubby island plants. Lastly, the Caves (open seasonally) features a striking colourful mural with hints of gold painted by local artist Karleto. It champions Ibiza’s bohemian spirit with a lively vibe in the most exquisite of settings, peering over the rocks out to sea.
The story
One of the most hotly anticipated openings of 2021, Six Senses Ibiza has quickly earned its golden reputation. As part of the Six Senses family, the design, build and ethos have sustainability and wellness at their core. Architect Jonathon Leitersdorf (responsible for the design) took his cue from the Ibizan architecture and design, choreographing a space that felt more like a real village community as opposed to a hotel or resort.
Family-friendly
The resort is home to a revolutionary kids club, Grow, which offers children from age 4-12 an extensive programme of activities, with an emphasis on education. Little ones are spoilt for choice, with activities such as cooking classes, salt and floral art, yoga and music lessons. Babysitting is on offer if booked in advance and all the restaurants offer to-drawer children’s menus (none of the nuggets-and-chips sort). If you’re poolside, order the kid’s chicken croquettes which will delight any little mouths and there are many other delicious but healthy treats. One thing to note is the abundance of steps around the resort, if you’re considering taking a pram.
Spa
All Six Senses resorts are known for their unbeatable spas, daily sunset yoga classes and innovative treatment lists. This is no truer than in their Ibizan outpost, where the spa is accessed via a sweeping staircase in the centre of a pool – as if descending into some celestial dimension. Inside, its a peaceful affair with sea views and everything wellness or beauty button you could possibly need to press: a nail bar, hair salon, biohacking, IV drips – you name it. Each treatment starts with a chime from a singing ball from Nepal and is highly personalised; the signature massage combines holistic techniques, Indian medicine and Thai massage to target… really whatever you wish to be targeted. After this heavenly pummelling (the sort that renders all future massages ‘average’), you can experience the hyper-ice compression boots or enjoy a sauna or steam in the futuristic, light-filled space. If you’re thinking of detoxing pre or post wedding, the resort is home to the first RoseBar, which offers medical programmes for 3, 5 or 7 days – all guaranteed to leave you feeling the best version of yourself.
Eco-friendly
Perhaps unsurprisingly for the Six Senses group, eco credentials are in abundance here – it would be impossible for anyone to not be impressed by the lengths at which the hotel has gone to to ensure their carbon footprint is kept to a minimum. The building was designed and built in a position where natural air flow keeps temperatures low, so there’s little need for air conditioning. Menus are radically seasonal with 60% of the produce across all Six Senses’ restaurants coming from their own farm on the island. What’s more, solar panels produce 30% of the resort’s energy, water is recycled and they donate 0.5% of profits to a sustainable fund. Roofs around the resorts tend to be alive with plants or turf, below them is typically a rush native wildflowers and plants, all of which is not only a design feat but contributes to the overall aim of reducing their carbon footprint.
Location
Located 30 minutes from the airport on the most northerly tip of the island, roads winding through pine trees take you to this bucket-list island resort. It’s very remote, a world away from the hustle and bustle of Ibiza town – which is worth noting so it’s not conflated with Ibiza’s party isle reputation. Steps lead down from the hotel pool area to a rocky beach below and a nearby sandy cove can be reached with a ten-minute taxi ride. The concierge are happy to arrange cars for day trips but really it’s all about switching off, enjoying the privacy and knockout views, and everything the resort has to offer.
Doubles from £294
To book: www.sixsenses.com/en/resorts/ibiza
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