Penny McCormick touches down in Ibiza …
This month Nay Palad Farm (see below) opens in Ibiza – a solar-powered escape offering guests everything from alpacas and a yoga yurt, to natural ponds and padel courts. It’s owned by Bobby Dekeyser, former Bayern Munich goalkeeper and founder of chic outdoor furniture brand Dedon. With six bedrooms in a main finca building and a separate guest house, it’s low-key yet luxurious, and blends in with the undulating hills and olive groves of Sant Mateu d’Albarca, in the northwestern wine-growing area of the island. Close to a secluded beach and authentic villages such as Santa Gertrudis, it can be booked as an exclusive rental for twelve people; a seven-night minimum stay applies. To find out more, email home@naypaladfarm.com.
Nay Palad Farm is a world away from the recent four-part BBC3 documentary Ibiza: Secrets of the Party Island exploring the tawdry underbelly of the island, which I watched with some trepidation before my first visit. For a more balanced view, I also consulted a few Ibizan insiders for their recommendations.
Rachel Kelly, former Northern Irish international equestrian-turned-designer, knows the island well. Her pretty La Mandarine ka ftans and sun dresses are stocked in some of Ibiza’s best beach clubs (Melé and the Jockey Club). Rachel recommends Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel in Santa Eularia des Riu. This boutique hotel, which operated as a farm for 300 years, arguably kickstarted Ibiza’s agritourism trend. Its 24 rooms with private pools, terraces and gardens are surrounded by orange groves and gorgeous gardens, from €245 for an overnight stay. I recommend one of its special day packages for non-residents, incorporating yoga, spa treatments, lunch and a posh daybed by the pool, surrounded by lavender and salvia borders, from €100. www.atzaro.com
Do take a day trip to the petite island of Formentera, advises designer Rae Feather. “I stay at the Gecko Hotel & Beach Club where the vibe is understated elegance. Dinner in Juan y Andrea on Playa Illetes beach is a must – not just for its delicious menu but also for its superb people watching!” www.geckobeachclub.com
To help with packing, channel Loewe’s playful Paula’s Ibiza capsule (available at Brown Thomas), created by Jonathan Anderson who has been holidaying on the White Isle since he was a child. For background reading, I enjoyed Renu Kashyap’s Ibiza Bohemia (Assouline, €105). Having visited the island last month I’d agree with Bobby Dekeyser: “You can’t explain Ibiza. You either feel it or you don’t, and it’s not for everybody. Ibiza forces you to release your grip. People who come with too much of a plan – maybe it doesn’t work out for them.”