The shimmering turquoise Mediterranean Sea gently
hugged the pebbly beach. So beautiful and beguiling, so calming and tranquil,
it reminded me of being on an idyllic Caribbean island. However, I was actually
in Ibiza. This was a far
cry from what I imagined the Balearic
Island to be.
Ibiza is renowned
for its clubbing night-life and is a favourite destination for those on hen or
stag weekends, but the hotel where I stayed, Me Ibiza, showcased a quieter and
more sophisticated side of the island.
Nestled in a secluded bay in S'Argamassa on the east coast
between the resorts of Santa Eulália and Es Caná, the Me Ibiza dishes up
relaxed luxury in a pretty setting. Stunning in its simplicity with white being
the predominant shade, this hotel is the place to go to relax and de-stress. It is a heady mix of seductive
sophistication and laid-back chic.
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| Me Ibiza, showcased a quieter and
more sophisticated side of the island Courtesy of Me Ibiza |
There are several pools, a spa and gym. My favourite was the
infinity pool on the rooftop. I spent hours in this gorgeous location lazing on
a Bali bed drinking in the views. For those in need of some pampering you can
indulge in a massage or beauty treatment. There are also free yoga sessions.
On the ground floor you can lounge by the pool or in the
gardens and listen to music selected by the DJ of the day.
The standout feature of the hotel is the energetic staff.
The team is on a mission
to do everything it can
to ensure your trip is everything you want it to be.
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| Hippy Market |
Food is good too. There is a choice of places to eat including the new
gourmet restaurant The Radio Rooftop managed by one of Spain’s most prestigious chefs, Ángel León. Sadly I did not get the chance to try as
it opened after I left. You can breakfast in style with a glass of
champagne to set you up for the day.
Venturing out of the hotel on the beach, I discovered lovely
coast walks. Turn left out of the hotel and you find yourself in the resort of
Es Caná. It has distinctly British flavour. I hardly heard any Spanish being
spoken as I walked along its sandy beaches. Reminiscent of a 1980s beach resort, this place is ideal for those
looking for cheap package holidays.
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| Ibiza Old Town |
The Punta Arabi hippy market which takes place every
Wednesday attracts people from
all over the island. Jewellery, clothes and handicrafts are among the wares you
will find on the many stalls lining the maze of the market’s winding paths. It
is unlikely that you will pick up any bargains but it is fun to go and see. Be
warned, it does get extremely crowded.
Forty minutes’ walk or a 15-minute cab ride from the ME
Ibiza is the rather delightful town of Santa Eulália. Life, in this former
fishing village, moves at a slow, leisurely pace. I enjoyed some me-time
meandering along the well-kept beaches and the palm-tree-lined promenade as I
soaked up the sun’s rays. There is a sense, in a good way, this town still
belongs to a bygone era.
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| Santa Eulália |
It also has a marina and a good gastronomic scene catering
for all tastes and budgets. In addition there are plenty of boutiques and
galleries to mooch around as well as arts and crafts stalls in the main street.
Ibiza Town was my day trip on this holiday. Eivissa, (Ibiza
Town) is the capital and largest city on the island. When you are yearning for
a culture shot and a dose of retail therapy this will tick all the boxes. The
old town, Dalt Vila, looming high over the sea, is the magnet for tourists. I,
along with the crowds, entered this citadel by the Portal de Ses Taules. Narrow
cobbled alleyways take you on a historic journey through the walled city
passing buildings, some of which date
back thousands of years. At the top is a Gothic cathedral.
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| The drowsy charms of Santa Eulália |
Eivissa was first settled by the Phoenicans over 2,500 years
ago. Other civilisations including the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors have
left their mark. The walls were built in the middle of the 16th
century to keep out attackers. From one of the seven bastions, you can take in the captivating views
of the harbour below.
The trendy Marina Botafoch, on the other side of the
harbour, is a pleasant place to stroll around and indulge in some shopping or
refuel at one of the many cafés and restaurants.
All too soon it
was time to leave the hustle and bustle of Eivissa behind
and catch the ferry back to the drowsy charms of Santa Eulália.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
BA CityFlyer
flies from Stansted to Ibiza. Fares from £56 (prices are per person and
are each way fares based on a return journey). For more info visit britishairways.com
BA CityFlyer also flies from London City Airport to Ibiza. Fares from £78 (prices are per person and are each way fares based on a return journey). For more info visit britishairways.com
Customers have a quick and easy journey through the Docklands airport, with hand baggage it takes just 15 minutes to get from kerbside to airside. On arrival in London City I was out in approximately the same amount of time
BA CityFlyer also flies from London City Airport to Ibiza. Fares from £78 (prices are per person and are each way fares based on a return journey). For more info visit britishairways.com
Customers have a quick and easy journey through the Docklands airport, with hand baggage it takes just 15 minutes to get from kerbside to airside. On arrival in London City I was out in approximately the same amount of time
(In addition BA has services from Heathrow and Gatwick with
connections available from across the UK and Ireland.)
Club Europe fares include a generous baggage allowance,
complimentary refreshments and drinks on board and no debit card charges
Stay at the ME Ibiza by Meliá. For more information and best
rates visit melia.com
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