Destination, municipality of Santa Eulària des Riu, Ibiza

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 16^th 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

(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

Flying from Stansted with BA

Checking in with BA for my flight to Ibiza was a breeze. But I would not have expected anything less from the British Airways wholly-owned subsidiary BA CityFlyer which run the flights from Stansted and London City Airport. I have always found it to be a slick operator. 

Despite long queues at other airlines’ check-in desks, my line moved swiftly and a pleasant lady had my case on the carousel and my boarding pass issued in no time at all. (You can check-in on line.)

This was 5am on a Sunday in May, not a holiday weekend, and the airport was heaving. There were no signs here of people being short of money.

Two and a half hours later after a relaxing flight we arrived in sunny Ibiza
Courtesy of BA CityFlyer

Thank goodness for fast track. It looked horrendous going through the normal security lines as there were so many people. Even if you are not travelling business class you can pay to use fast track. If time is tight, it is a worthwhile investment.

BA started flying from Stansted in 2016. Planes that were sitting on the ground on weekends at their base, London City Airport, were transferred to Stansted. It is now serving not just Ibiza but other popular summer destinations including Faro, Malaga and Palma (Mallorca). 

The service offered by BA, in my books, is far superior to the budget airlines that regularly operate out of Stansted. When I heard people having to go and reclaim luggage when their flight was cancelled, I felt secure in the knowledge that I had a BA ticket. 

In all the years that I have travelled with BA, only once did it have to change an aircraft. The baggage was taken care of. BA can usually get another plane from another airport if need be. I always feel that I will be looked after if something should go wrong.

There were people being bumped off flights. I knew if BA did have to do this, it would take good care of me and I would get to my destination – even if that meant travelling on an alternative service. Compensation might also be offered, depending on the circumstances.

Another airline announced a delay because a member of the crew did not show up because they called in sick. I am sure that BA would have had a replacement much quicker.

Ibiza,  a great destination for a quick pick-me-up

I kept thinking to myself these are reasons why I would never fly with these cheap airlines. As far as I am concerned having a BA ticket is knowing that you will get to your destination with the least possible stress if there are unforeseeable hitches. 

BA uses 98-seater Embraer 190 jets which I find more comfortable than those used by its low-cost competitors. A plus is that there are only window and aisle seats so you cannot get crammed in the middle.  

The downside of Stansted is once you have cleared security you have to negotiate your way through a crowded shopping arcade before ending up in a lounge which has people packed in like sardines.

If you are travelling Business Class you can use the aptly-named Escape Lounge which serves complimentary food and drink. You can also use the free wi-fi or read a newspaper or magazine to while away the time. All other passengers can pay £25 to use it. I would advise pre-booking as when I was there is was extremely busy. The lady on reception told me to give myself plenty of time to get to the gate as I would have to navigate through the crowds. She was not joking. It was a relief to find plenty of space when I actually got there.

My flight was really good. Service spot on. As I travelled in Business Class I was treated to an English breakfast. You could also have a glass of champagne or wine should you desire. 

In economy, when you travel from Stansted and London City snacks and drinks (soft, alcoholic and hot) are complimentary. 

Two and a half hours later after a relaxing flight we arrived in sunny Ibiza. Whether you want a short break or you are going for your two week annual break, BA CityFlyer should be your airline of choice. It is a cut above the rest.

Oh, in case you are wondering, Ibiza is not just a party place, it has a rather sophisticated edge to it as well. As getting there is so easy, it is a great destination for a quick pick-me-up. 

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

(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

Stay at the ME Ibiza by Meliá. For more information and best rates visit melia.com