Authentic winter vibes

There are still a few insider favourites to be uncovered however – those places that truly capture the authentic spirit of Ibiza – and one of the winter’s most magical destinations is La Torre Ibiza, the beautiful boutique hostel, restaurant and sunset bar nestled on the rugged, unspoilt cliffside of Cap Negret on the island’s west coast. While its reputation as the place to be for an alternative sunset viewing experience in summer precedes it, La Torre Ibiza has in fact always been a year-round destination – something its legions of loyal fans keep close to their chest. In winter, all the action takes place within the rustic chic interior and on the beautiful protected terrace. The breathtaking Mediterranean views don’t change of course, however as anyone who has ever witnessed an Ibiza winter sunset will attest, the nightly spectacular put on by nature is amped up in the off-season, in a kaleidoscope of vibrant pinks, oranges, amber and gold, followed by deep purple as night falls. And La Torre Ibiza continues to offer front row seats to the magic each and every night of the year.

While sunset is the best-known attraction at La Torre Ibiza, the hotel and restaurant offer an array of other reasons to visit from 8am until 11pm daily – plus ultra-affordable plush beds and pillows to sleep on in those hours in between. Breakfast with a view is a wonderful reason to bound out of bed (the kitchen opens at 8am) before choosing between a healthy or hearty start to the day. Speaking of healthy, La Torre Ibiza regularly organises special wellness or fitness mornings in the winter months (advertised via their Facebook page), such as the Yoga Detox – which includes a yoga session followed by a healthy breakfast – or the Workout Brunch, which as the name suggests starts with a training session with one of the island’s premier personal trainers followed by a fresh and healthy brunch. The coastline surrounding La Torre Ibiza offers a variety of walking and hiking trails that take you through the beautiful woodlands and along the rocky shoreline. Fuel-up with breakfast and then hit the trails – or perhaps you prefer to take a hike in the morning, then settle in for a long lazy lunch afterwards. The choice is yours, and in winter, there’s no rush. Reservations are not necessary and you can simply arrive and eat when you’re ready. The ‘menu del dia’ is a long-standing Ibiza lunch tradition and La Torre Ibiza offers a daily three-course set menu for just 20€ per person on weekdays and 25€ on weekends.

It’s easy to see why many diners at La Torre Ibiza like to extend their lunch to take in those incredible early sunset views. With the sun setting at around 6pm at this time of year, the sky begins its spectacular transformation during the hours before and islanders start popping into the venue to take a seat and enjoy the show, creating a lively buzz and fun ambience. La Torre Ibiza is one of the only sunset bars and restaurants in Ibiza remaining open all year round, and from Thursday to Sunday the sunset is soundtracked by the island’s best chill out DJs (including the renowned DJ Buda on Fridays) – harking back to the original ethos of the Ibiza sunset experience. Good vibes, sensational views and amazing Balearic beats. After dark, the restaurant becomes a candlelit, romantic paradise – the perfect place to extend your sunset experience into a beautifully decadent dinner. The La Torre Ibiza kitchen remains open until 11pm, seven nights a week, offering something to suit all appetites from the delicious à la carte menu, which is a fusion of seasonal Mediterranean and Moroccan influences lovingly created by acclaimed Argentinian chef, Andres Lalla. If you’re a local and the thought of driving home after dinner doesn’t appeal to you (when that lovely bottle of vino tinto does appeal!) be sure to enquire about availability at Hostal La Torre before you arrive. Winter is the ideal time to treat yourself to a sleep-in and nice breakfast the following morning, and waking up to those views is the perfect way to start the day.

Hostal La Torre offers out-of-season holidaymakers a variety of reasons to book a winter stay. Rooms – which range from basic doubles through to deluxe and junior suites with balconies and million dollar views – are accessibly priced, and totally equipped for the chillier months with cosy heating. Regular promotions include added incentives such as complimentary Vespa hire with any two-night stay in a double room or junior suite, or a full-day of car hire. Depending on the weather, you can whizz around the island immersed in nature and with the wind in your hair, or stay tucked up as you cruise the streets. The choice is yours, and with so many fun events and activities taking place across the island, there’s no better time to visit than right now. For those Ibiza lovers in love, Valentine’s Day is already looming in the not so distant future, and a long weekend or extended stay at La Torre Ibiza makes the perfect gift. A special set Valentine’s dinner is on offer for 35€ per person, and includes an aperitif of red shrimp veloute and a cream of leek soup, followed by starters including stracciatella mousse, grilled scallop loin with lemongrass foam or crispy rolls of duck confit with pineapple. Main courses are a choice of a Japanese inspired fillet Corvina, braised Ibicenco lamb ribs or the stir-fried vegetarian Seitan with crispy vegetables. And just when you thought V.Day was sweet enough, be sure to save room for for dessert! A special accommodation deal including the menu plus breakfast the morning after will also be on offer – whether you’re on-island and looking to spoil your loved one or are visiting for the occasion and need a place to call home away from home. Keep your eyes peeled on the La Torre Ibiza website for more details. And last of all – if you’re planning a winter celebration (be it a birthday, large group dinner or special occasion), be sure to contact the La Torre Ibiza team. With the time, space and flexibility that the winter season allows, creating a personalised experience is entirely possible. All the more reason to visit La Torre Ibiza…