Ibiza, Ibiza, Ibiza. So good they named it three times. Ok, maybe that’s just my doing but you get my point.
This magical, fun-filled Spanish island is frequented by pleasure-loving, party goers every year from May until mid October – when the famous closing parties celebrate the end of Summer in style.
This is personally my favourite time to visit as I always love nipping off to warmer climes when London’s soggy summer starts to fade – along with my tan.
Ibiza is a sun-kissed paradise for those with a penchant for food, dance music, relaxation, scenic beaches and even yoga – but with so many places to see and things to do, how do you fit it all in to your five day stay?
To help ease your niggling FOMO worries, I’ve put together this nifty guide on where you need to go, so you can make the most of your time on this naughty but nice island that never sleeps.
This effortlessly chic beach club in Playa Es Cavallet is a sun-worshiping foodies dream. A sandy beach is adorned with white sun loungers for guests to top up their tans before making their way inside to experience a lunchtime culinary extravaganza. We gorged on creamy Buratta and cherry tomatoes topped with fresh basil, marinated anchovies adorned with chopped chilies, beetroot, broccoli and feta cheese salads and a truffle-topped tuna tartare that had the power to silence even the most enticing conversations.
After devouring such tastebud tempting starters we watched in awe as a waitress brought over a slow roasted lamb shoulder surrounded by rosemary potatoes, carrots and sprigs of thyme. A second hearty main consisted of a flavoursome seabass baked in a salt crust and served with roast Ibicenco potatoes and a fennel jus. Puddings were a sugary dream of chocolate creations and fresh fruit washed down by exotic cocktails in elaborate glasses. Everything was perfect.
Go with your best friends and prepare to tip generously.
Generally frequented by excitable Brits with a love of UK garage, hip hop and old school dance anthems, this debaucherous day club hosts the kind of pool parties you’ll never want to end. I’ve visited three times now and every moment spent in this sexy adult playground was filled with the kind of crazy, unadulterated fun that almost tempts you into quitting your job just to move next door so you never miss a party. The club consists of a massive pool area surrounded by plush beds and tables – many situated in the actual pool itself. Yay!
The Kisstory party I attended a few weeks back at Ocean Beach Club was genuinely one of the best days of my week-long stay. Together with my beloved people I drank champagne, danced to the dance hits of my youth and frolicked in the pool under a cloudless blue sky. If you’re seeking a glam pool party vibe, vibrant dance music with an urban feel and laid back, friendly folk, get down to Ocean Beach Club as soon as you touch down on the island to get yourself into holiday party mode pronto.
For those of you partial to a spot of sexy booty shaking with your steak, STK is the restaurant you need to visit in Ibiza. Splendidly situated in the chic Ibiza Corso Hotel and Spa in Marina Botafoch, this seriously sassy eatery serves the most exciting meaty dishes you could possibly imagine, whilst go go dancers and cabaret performers strut their stuff in front of your very eyes. I was particularly fond of the mini wagyu truffle burgers, soft shell crab sliders, truffle Mac n’ cheese and refreshing chopped avocado, watermelon, mint and feta cheese salad – the perfect dish for those balmy summer pre-clubbing nights.
This is the place where gorgeous girls and guys arrive dressed up to the nines to dine on their favourite food and get into the party spirit before hitting the superclubs later on. Just remember to wear something with an elasticated waistband…
Proudly marking its seventh season on this world famous white isle is the inimitable Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel, nestled within the sultry streets of Playa D’en Bossa. I adore this modern, ultra cool venue due to its swanky beach club complete with white day beds, hedonistic beats, cooling cocktails and lavish lunch menu.
I took along my favourite person for a long, lazy seafood feast before we made our way to the Disturbing Ibiza party happening in the hotel’s outdoor clubbing space. We devoured platters of picturesque octopus, Instagram-friendly salmon tartare with avocado and a prawn and squid heavy paella which surely must have put all other paellas to shame.
With such heaving bellies of a slightly rounded nature, it was a miracle that we even managed to party afterwards, but once we heard the UK Garage tunes we knew and loved we somehow conjured up the energy and danced long into the night. Once the legendary DJ EZ got on the decks, our hips took on lives of their own – gyrating to the sounds of our uni days like a bunch of mischievous students. By the time Tinie Tempah closed the party with his fierce tracks, pouring champagne into the open mouths of frenzied revellers as dancers swayed on the stage alongside some feisty fireworks, we were ecstatic and dreading the end of the party.
No trip to Ibiza is complete without having a good old rave in everybody’s favourite super club – Pasha. This buzzing club is made up of a maze of various floors and rooms, hosting world famous DJ’s and parties packed with celebs, music lovers and hardcore clubbers from across the globe. I minced along one evening with my squad for the My House Party with DJ Martin Solveig and had a whale of a time. I drank pretty cocktails, danced to deep house and hip hop beats, tried (and failed) to slink my way in to VIP and doused myself in glitter.
Ibiza. I’ll be back next year. Or most probably in a couple of weeks…
Monarch, the scheduled leisure airline, operates flights to Ibiza from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £35 one way (£59 return)
For further information or to book Monarch flights or Monarch Holidays please visit www.monarch.co.uk
