The Spanish resort with live DJ pool sessions and famous celebs – with flights just £21
I KNEW I was in Ibiza the moment I stepped off the plane, surrounded by women with hair rollers in – part of their prep for a wild night out that evening.
But despite its party reputation, there is much more to this Spanish island than booming clubs and all-day boozing.
Upon landing, I was greeted by a glorious 26C heat — a far cry from the far less impressive temperatures my weather app had promised me.
My tour guide had reassured me that “whatever it says for the Ibiza weather, it’s always better than you think it will be”.
Thankfully, she was right.
And my adult-only hotel Amàre Ibiza, just outside San Antonio, is one of the best spots in town to soak up this sun.
Its rooftop infinity pool is not only the perfect location for topping up the tan, with an Aperol Spritz in hand, but for celeb-spotting too.
Towie’s Amber Turner, plus Coco Lodge and Cheyanne Kerr who featured on Love Island last summer, have all stayed at the hotel.
There’s two other pools as well, plus a hot tub to soak in while live DJs and singers perform mellow tunes all day, creating the perfect ambience.
If you really like the tunes you hear, the hotel’s Amare Music app means you can listen to its curated playlists wherever you are.
When the heat got too much, my Oh La La room had a private balcony featuring a swinging egg chair, ideal for spending lazy afternoons relaxing in, taking in the views across the resort.
And those spectacular sights could even tempt the most exercise-averse into the hotel gym, as the many machines overlook the stunning beach.
There’s also an onsite spa that offers a glorious aromatherapy massage which lulled me into a midday nap, plus several great restaurants and bars.
For something special, on top of the hotel is the Belvue rooftop bar and restaurant Hayaca where Michelin-star chef Mauricio Giovanini serves up South American wagyu and sea-bass dishes alongside punchy cocktails.
Hidden beaches
Or there’s Amàre’s Mare Nostrum restaurant which, despite being a buffet seems anything but, with its delicious fare.
I gorged on fresh pasta, plus tasty bruschetta, gazpacho and flao — an Ibizan cheesecake laced with spearmint similar to a Kendal Mint Cake.
There’s a seemingly endless choice of quality restaurants and fancy bars outside the resort too
And both the island’s party quarter and historical side are within easy reach of the hotel.
San Antonio is home to the famous party strip — packed with bars serving shots and sugary concoctions that trans-ported me back to my 18-year-old days.
Or a 20-minute drive away is Playa D’en Bossa, featuring Hi Ibiza, which has just been named the world’s best club by dance music bible DJ Mag, for the second year running.
But if you’re not up for the partying, head to the port for a boat trip around the coves and hidden beaches — a highlight, for me.
We boarded the Salvador Ibiza, having the entire boat to ourselves as we sped off.
Our driver happily gave us control of the music, so our Spotify playlists blared out as we danced on the deck with a glass of rosé in hand before jumping into the water under the setting sun.
If you’re keen for culture, a short taxi ride away from the hotel is Ibiza Old Town.
It’s home to many Spanish fashion brands including Mango and Zara, but bring your walking shoes for a steep climb to the 16th-century Castell de Eivissa perched high on a hill.
The uphill slog is worth it for the views alone — peer out across the whitewashed buildings to boats sailing across the bright-blue sea and the planes landing at the nearby airport.
On our venture we even stumbled upon the annual Medieval Market, featuring hundreds of stalls and strange live shows of trumpets and drums.
If pounding the streets sounds like too much hard work in the Ibizan heat, you can rent bicycles from the hotel for a few hours.
My cycling attempt came with its own adventures — not only did my bike chain come off, leaving me with oily hands, but my poor navigational skills meant I quickly got lost and had to be directed back to the main road by a motorcyclist.
It was worth it, though, as I arrived at the famous Cala Bassa Beach club nearby to watch the sun go down.
I may have had a hangover or two during my first trip to Ibiza, but I’ll certainly raise a glass of sangria to toast this beautiful island.
GO: Ibiza
GETTING THERE: Ryanair flies from Luton to Ibiza from £42 return.
See ryanair.com.
STAYING THERE: One night’s room-only at Amare Ibiza is from £120.50 (€139) per room, based on two sharing or from £160.45 (€185) on a half-board basis.
See amarehotels.com.
OUT & ABOUT: A sunset boat trip costs from £70 (€80), including snorkel kits and paddleboarding.
See salvadoribiza.com.
