IBIZA TRAVEL GUIDE - Published in The Mail

 

Popping my Ibiza Cherry! 

Decades ago, I was a club promoter and DJ, running nights and spinning tunes in bars and clubs around Dublin. I lived and breathed dance music. Fast forward to 2025, and—somewhat incredibly—I’ve only just made my first trip to Ibiza, the global mecca for ravers and dance music lovers. Maybe it’s because I left it until my 50s, but the urge to hit a super-club and dance until sunrise just wasn’t there. What I craved instead was some Ibiza style and elegance, some history—and, yes, a touch of kitsch.

This trip was a last-minute decision, so I didn’t overthink accommodation. For the first two nights, I wanted something stylish and comfortable so I booked the W Ibiza, which I knew would be a solid five-star bet. I told my plus-one that the “W” stands for “Wow,” and she totally believed me. I made that up—but honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if it were true.

There are plenty of wow moments at this beachfront hotel, starting from the airport pickup. Waiting for us was a two-tone, lime-green VW van—making the 20-minute drive up the coast to Santa Eulària des Riu a fun introduction to the island.

The W Ibiza has plenty of ‘wow’ elements : the scent of fresh jasmine drifting through the chic ground-floor pool area, the dreamy rooftop bar GLOW with its infinity pool overlooking the bobbing boats and fancy yachts docked in Eulària Bay, the slick, subterranean spa and club-style gym, all giving what you’d expect from the W brand.

Food-wise, there are several options without a commute. SEU Pizza @STEPS, is right next door. It’s a pizza restaurant but —it’s world-class pizza, literally. The 50 Top Pizza Guide ranked it the 3rd best in Italy and 6th best in the world. It’s run by renowned pizza chef Pier Daniele Seu, and the menu is a tribute to his award-winning creations. They're available late into the night, alongside antipasti, pasta, and other Italian staples. Add in the chilled beachfront view, and it’s a great local option. 

A short stroll away, is the latest addition to W Ibiza:Yellow Fish Beach Club, adding a classy layer of Ibiza magic. Yellow Fish is laid-back beach club vibes with authentic Mediterranean cuisine and live DJ sets, right on Santa Eulalia Beach. Here, it’s all about fresh fish, oysters, and cocktails, and it’s definitely the kind of place where lunch turns into sunset drinks before you even notice! 

Most rooms at W Ibiza offer sea or pool views, and the beach is just steps from the hotel. Each morning, I went for a dip, often not seeing another soul in the water. It felt like my own private slice of the Med.

I noticed Nobu Ibiza was just down the road from the W Hotel, so we booked in for dinner on our second night. While the W has aqua tones and splashes of colour everywhere, Nobu’s lobbies and furnishings stay safely within the realm of natural, uniform neutrals. Its Ibiza Bay restaurant that delivers a riot of flavour with every bite. Again, I removed the guesswork and opted for the Nobu taster menu. My five courses included sashimi, sushi, the signature blindingly good black cod and sizzling mushroom and beef mains. I couldn’t have chosen better dishes if I tried. The views from the restaurant are as stunning as the food, so I had a ‘four roses and banana wash’ cocktail to finish as we watched people take their dogs for evening strolls and listened to the waves gently lap against the sea wall. www.nobuhotelibizabay.com

After the luxury, I felt ready for something more fun and affordable—still stylish, but with a party edge. Enter the Concept Hotel Group, headed up by local man Diego Calvo, CEO and co-founder, a fashion devotee and the creative force behind eight (soon to be nine!) of the island’s boutique hotels. In all my years as a travel writer, I’ve not met a more imaginative hotelier. He’s created a collection of wildly creative hotels, each steeped in retro design and bursting with personality. When you meet Diego, dressed like a 1950s teddy boy rocker, you instantly realise these places are his love letters to Americana style and architecture.

Each hotel is unique—dusty pinks, avocado greens, flamingos, kitsch furniture, pastel Smeg appliances, and vintage jukeboxes in the lobbies. Every fitting is bespoke. Staying in one of these hotels feels like stepping onto a perfectly curated film set. If Miami Barbie were a design genre, Tropicana Ibiza Suites would be its flagship. If Wes Anderson designed a hotel, you’d end up with something like Grand Paradiso or Les Felices—dreamy, magical wonderlands packed with playful, cinematic touches. At Grand Paradiso, you can spend a night in a glowing glass box in the lobby or watch movies in a vintage-style theatre. At Romeo’s Motel & Diner, each room is themed after a Route 66 stop. These hotels are more than just beds—they’re experiences. Even the mini-bars come stocked with retro sodas and locally made artisan snacks. Rooms at Grand Paradiso start from €150. More info at www.theconcepthotels.com.

One pilgrimage I knew I’d have to make was a visit Pikes of Ibiza. Few places on the island carry the legendary status of Pikes, the wild-child hotel that helped define Ibiza’s hedonistic heyday. Founded in the late '70s by British ex-pat Tony Pike, it became famous after Wham! filmed the Club Tropicana video there. Over the years, it hosted raunchy parties with guests like Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones, and George Michael. Today, it’s owned and run by Dawn Hindle, creative director of Ibiza Rocks, who has lovingly preserved its rock ‘n’ roll soul while injecting a fresh artistic flair. There’s even talk of creating a Pikes Hotel in the UK and expanding beyond. 

Each of the 25 rooms is unique. Think rustic style, with eccentric touches. It’s adults-only and still one of the coolest places to stay on the island. Rooms start from around €250–€300 per night depending on the season, and by booking a room, you’re checking into a piece of Ibiza’s party history. www.pikesibiza.com 

It’s understandable when you are in a place as pretty as Ibiza town you want to find a rooftop bar for cocktails so you can gaze on Dalt Vila (meaning “Upper Town”). Perched high above Ibiza Town, Dalt Vila is the island’s ancient fortified heart and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Winding cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and stunning sea views define this atmospheric neighbourhood. Steeped in history, its 16th-century walls once protected against pirates, and today they shelter charming boutiques, art galleries, and authentic tapas spots. You can visit the famous Annie’s Ibiza boutique here. Go early to beat the heat—or consider a visit at night when the streetlights are on and it looks even more beautiful. It’s Ibiza’s cultural soul, far from the party clichés. If you don't fancy walking there, perch yourself at the beautiful rooftop bar of Ibiza's original five-star hotel, Montesol’s. You can watch the sunset from Café Montesol & Rooftop Bar but booking is required to get a good table. www.montesolexperimental.com

Let’s talk taxis. They're not extortionate, but if you don’t hire a car, you’ll need them often—and it adds up. A 30-minute ride to San Antonio cost me €30. Another €20 to reach Pikes and €30 back to Ibiza Town. Fares are fair, but frequency will sting your budget. Driving has its own stresses—narrow roads, summer congestion, and tourists behind every wheel. Still, if you're up for exploring hidden coves and off-the-beaten-track beaches, a car could be your best bet.

One of the biggest surprises of the trip came on my final day. I wandered into a small, unassuming cafe called Bossa Burger la Mamma, near Concept’s beachfront Dorado hotel on Playa d\'en Bossa. The airport is just a 10-minute drive, so I wanted a light lunch before catching my flight. After a week of five-star dining, this place was refreshingly real. I ordered the squid—two whole, freshly grilled squid arrived, served simply with lemon and potatoes. No frills, no fuss—just perfect seafood. A glass of house white was €3, so I had two! Coffee was €1.50. A traditional Ibiza crème dessert? €3.50. It felt like I’d been transported back to 1980s Ibiza, when food was cheap, and Pikes was still the naughtiest place in town.

Now that’s an Ibiza I can get behind.