Where to stay in Ibiza

First things first, where to stay. There’s no end of wonderful hotels in Ibiza and every preference can be catered for, from serene holistic-focused retreats to buzzing centre-of-it-all hot spots and everything in between. For this visit we stayed at the 7Pines Resort Ibiza on the east coast of the Island and W Ibiza in Santa Eulalia the opposite side of the Island – two sides, two styles and two very different vibes, showcasing the best of what Ibiza has to offer.

7Pines Resort Ibiza offers a laidback approach to island life. It’s a truly luxurious resort set amidst a pine grove on the cliffs of the west coast. The vibe here is relaxation, and nowhere is this more apparent than at the 1,500m² ‘Pure Seven Spa’, with two saunas, a steam room, exclusive treatments and year-round well-being programme of events inspired by the Mediterranean and Ibiza's energy.

Accommodation is made up of 185 suites and two Grand Villas. The suites all feature either a terrace or a balcony with views of the resort, gardens, or sea, and a number which even have their own pool. The style can be best described as having a traditional whitewashed village feel, light and airy with accents of turquoise. The rooms are perfect for chilling after a hard day bronzing yourself by the pool.

W Ibiza is located on the beachfront of Santa Eulalia, just a 20-minute drive to Ibiza town. The vibe is more cosmopolitan, taking influence from the hippie culture of the island. Made up of 124 rooms with walk-on balcony and 38 unique hotel suites with terraces with sea views, rooms are bright, clean with splashes of colour, they are brilliantly thought out, even down to the personalised Spotify playlist which you can download when you arrive (I arrived to Beyonce, which could not have been more perfect!). The room types have names like ‘Wonderful Room’ and ‘Spectacular Room’, and I tend to agree.

What to do in Ibiza

Our accommodation was so great it was tempting not to leave, but with so much on offer in Ibiza we had to get out and experience it. A definite must-do when staying at the 7Pines is the Sunset Ritual. Head up to the Cone Club restaurant, perched up on a cliff top with a stunning view of the sea and Es Vedrà, for the daily Sunset ritual which starts at 6pm. Cited as one of the most sought-after sunset spots on the island, it’s a truly magical experience.

No trip to Ibiza is complete without a look around the Old Town in the historic heart of the island. Often referred to as Dalt Vila by locals (“High Town”), it commands impressive views of the harbour and the neighbouring island of Formentera – but be warned, pack some comfortable shoes, there is a lot to see but the cobblestoned streets can be hard going.

Ibiza has 200 kilometres of coastline, so a boat trip is a must. Our trip took us past the 148-acre island of Tago Mago, Europe’s must exclusive private island (supposedly rented by Justin Bieber recently, but we didn’t see him!). Our boat rental also included use of a Seabob which I highly recommend.

Where to eat in Ibiza

Now to the best bit, the food! I’m Italian, so food is extra important to me, and both properties delivered. 7Pines is home to The View restaurant, recommended by the Michelin guide. Led by Executive Chef Óscar Salazar, this is a true stand out experience – the views over the Mediterranean are spectacular, and the food is even better.

Although, with that said, I think our last meal on the island took first place for me. Steps Restaurant at W Ibiza steps it up a gear or two, focusing on local produce and healthy, sustainable and eye-catching dishes. Sitting on the terrace, bathed in sunshine and eating delicious local food was the perfect end to an incredible 72hrs in Ibiza.