Awash with luxury

The arrival of the all-new W Ibiza on far south end of the Santa Eulalia promenade was perhaps one of the most hotly anticipated hotel openings on the island in recent years. After briefly opening its doors – along with its newest restaurant concepts – towards the end of summer 2019, the luxurious seafront resort closed for further development in the winter months (like most resorts in Ibiza) and then, well, along came COVID-19. Fast forward through the global lockdowns and travel restrictions, and today the resort is finally open and welcoming travellers from around the world – both as hotel guests and visitors to the luxurious facilities alike. It’s an opening that has been well worth the wait.

The hotel boasts 162 incredible rooms and suites, and its food and beverage offerings include the already established Chiringuito Blue – just a hope across the promenade onto the sandy beach – and the plant-based eatery Ve Café, as well as glamorous gastronomic heart of the hotel, La Llama, curated by renowned chef Haim Cohen. In addition, W Ibiza’s Wet Deck and W Lounge offer guests chic and sophisticated spaces in which to lounge in safe (socially distanced, of course) surroundings, sipping on cocktails, listening to music from resident DJs and international guests, and snacking on a creative menu from day to night. With Ibiza’s nightlife scene temporarily on hold in 2020, holidaymakers are increasingly seeking luxurious day experiences and W Ibiza ticks all the right boxes.

Like a much more relaxed version of a beach club, Wet Deck is a private poolside terrace that also boasts direct access to the beach, should you wish to break out of your W Ibiza bubble and feel the sand in your toes at any time throughout the day. Speaking of toes, while current safety protocols mean there are no dancefloors to be seen, the DJs spinning poolside beats will almost certainly get your toes tapping on your luxury daybed, sun lounger or even in the pool – and that’s not only allowed, it’s encouraged! In keeping with the resort’s Ibiza-inspired colour palette and interior design, Wet Deck is awash with rich turquoise, inspired by the Mediterranean Sea on its doorstep, complemented by the vibrant yellow, green and blue sunshades cascading down the hotel walls, representing the island’s golden sun, lush campo and clear skies.

Sipping on cocktails here is de rigueur, with bespoke concoctions designed by W Ibiza’s master mixologists. Try a Piña Pagés – a twist on the classic, using homemade Hierbas Ibicencas for the local touch – or a Bohemian Sour, fusing Pampelle, Campari, Carpano Antica Formula, Beefeater 24 and fresh lime. More island twists come through in the Margabiza – using Olmeca Blanco, Mezcal and agave with the island’s own Sal de Ibiza and fresh lemons from the fields – and the Watermelon Frosé, which blends Ibiza’s famous Ibizkus rosé with ripe watermelons from the rich red soil plus fresh lime and raspberry. An array of smoothies, sangria in all colours of the vino rainbow (that’s white, red, rosé and sparkling, in case you needed a refresher), a very carefully curated wine list plus top shelf spirits are also on offer – needless to say, when it comes to whetting your whistle, Wet Deck has the situation in hand.

Inevitably one will start to feel peckish, with all that relaxing, swimming and toe-tapping, and the menu at Wet Deck offers something to suit all appetites. Healthy salads – from the classic Burrata and Caesar to a Korean Hanbok – sit alongside snacks like spicy chicken wings, tuna tataki, steak tartare, Iberian ham and edamame, while mains offer a much heartier source of sustenance. Choose between a premium Basque entrecote, salmon teriyaki, a crispy half roast chicken, classic fish and chips or the Italian crowd pleaser, Paccheri alla Norma. The Italian influence continues through a dedicated pizza menu – all your favourite toppings – while the sandwich and burger menu covers traditional clubs, the famed W Burger, the must-try vegan Ve Burger made with Beyond Meat patties and a decadent Croque Madame. The icing on the W Ibiza gourmet cake is, of course, dessert – think ice cream, fruit platters, vegan brownies and good old fashioned apple pie.

The beauty of Wet Deck is that it’s open to the public in addition to hotel guests, with day passes available for 50€ (which includes a 30€ credit towards your food and drink bill). The glamorous setting attracts the who’s who of Ibiza in addition to the visiting jetset, and as day to turns to night, the poolside action moves indoors to the adjacent W Lounge, where weekly events see special guest DJs such as Jodie Harsh and Fat Tony spinning alongside popular island residents including Guy Williams, Corbi and Simon Morell at W Ibiza. On Sundays, local musicians Banjaara Live set the scene with their cutting edge soundscapes, blending electronic elements such as synthesisers with the Indian Sitar and the Chinese Guquin – in the dreamy, boho surroundings of W Lounge, it’s a weekly event that’s not to be missed.

The design of the W Lounge at W Ibiza was inspired by another of the island’s icons – the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site Dalt Vila. You can spot the influence in the sandy-hued, terraza-style stairs that are covered in bright, hippie-style floor cushions that are just begging to be lounged upon. Swing sofas add that final touch of laidback luxury, the perfect place to sip W Ibiza’s signature cocktails at any time of the day or night. Facing directly out to sea– like all rooms and suites in W Ibiza – the views from W Lounge creates a feeling of bringing the outside in, while retaining that sense of cosiness and safety so many travellers are seeking these days.

Even if you’re not staying in one of the luxurious suites, you are invited to feel completely free and relaxed to enjoy all the spaces within the resort – and hotel guests report checking in, and never wanting to leave the ultra-convenient location as everything they could ever dream of is already on their doorstep. Whether you’re jetting in for a long weekend, are an island local looking for a new hangout, or are planning to spend a few weeks in the hotel, W Ibizaoffers all its like-minded guests a sense of coming home. Fusing the free-spirited Ibiza lifestyle with all the trimmings you’d expect from the W Hotels group, it brings a new level of luxury, style and service to the Santa Eulalia area – exactly what the island needs.