pikes – White Ibiza

Tenax Closing Party

Long-running Italian promoters Tenax host monthly parties on Wednesdays at iconic hotel Pikes Ibiza in the hills outside of San Antonio in 2023. Hosted by resident DJ Alex Neri since 1981, the consummate professionals of the Italian dance scene invite a credible list of well-known DJs to join him each month, making for a highly charged party in every corner of the venue. Start by the pool with cocktails from 9pm, then wind your way around to the Sunset Terrace for a warm-up shimmer, before losing all abandon on the intimate Freddies dancefloor with headliner guest DJs. Reservations for dinner and guestlist for Freddies essential.

Breakfast: The best way to start to the day

In summer, islanders are usually up and off to work – perhaps with a quick homemade coffee and a tostada before hitting the road. In ‘winter’ however (yes, we know it’s autumn, but here in Ibiza, locals tend to simply split the year into two seasons, summer and winter), there’s plenty more time to treat yourself to the types of brekkie or brunch spreads you often see tourists sharing on Instagram – and thankfully, there are still quite a few places open that tick all the right boxes in terms of freshness, variety, quality and indeed, quantity! None of our team members can walk past a Passion Café – Marina Ibiza, Vara de Rey [pictured], San José and Santa Eulalia are all still open – in the morning without being tempted in by the scent of the island’s finest coffee, then staying for the mega breakfasts on offer. All types of pancakes, the island’s biggest avo toast menu, eggs aplenty, creative juices and smoothies, healthy bowls, corn fritters – you name it or you crave it, you’ll find it at Passion.

Meanwhile, over on the west coast of the island, there’s a new place in town that’s piqued our interest when it comes to brunch – Hawker Beach Club Ibiza looks over the beach of Cala de Bou and offers a creative breakfast and brunch fusion that crosses continents and cultures – from yoga brekkies and the classic full English, to New York style salmon bagels and then over to Latin America for arepas or Thailand for Yam Kai Do with a fried egg and back to the Med for a Spanish tortilla with jamon Iberico. There are only a few weeks left to try it, so be sure to book a table before October is out. In the village of Santa Gertrudis, Numero 74 L’Atelier is another breakfast favourite – fresh baked croissants and pastries, healthy bowls with tapioca or seasonal fruit, banana cake, Ibiza almond cake (we love cake for breakfast!), all available to eat in the sunny, spacious garden or take-away to sit on the beach. Just around the corner, at Wild Beets (another island institution when it comes to health and wellness), you can tuck into healthy and homemade, plant-based dishes such as blueberry porridge, almond and coconut raw porridge, chia breakfast bowls, eggless scrambles and so much more.

Beach lunches: Because the sun’s still shining!

Ibiza ‘winters’ are renowned for being filled with sunshine – apparently the sun shines on Ibiza for 300 days a year and aside from the odd monthly downpour, we often don’t see cloudy skies until at least February. All the more reason to live the beach life, and there are still plenty of amazing places to indulge in a long, luxurious seaside lunch – if you know where to look! You’ll need to be quick if you want to catch lunch at the iconic Amante Ibiza, which remains open until the end of this month, much to the delight of locals who can’t find the time to nab a table in the summer. Back towards Ibiza town, just a few minutes’ drive down the bumpy camino to the secluded cove od S’Estanyol, Cala Bonita also remains open (locals are hoping it will sustain its usual year-round hours), serving up some of the finest fresh Mediterranean fare right on the beach.

Over on the west coast, the stunning Cala Gracioneta Chiringuito [main photo] continues to impress locals and visitors alike daily with its Valencian style rice dishes and amazing grilled meats and fish – not to mention the beautiful views and relaxed ambience of the protected cove it presides over – reservations still highly recommended. And finally, on the south east coast of Ibiza, looking out over the sands of Es Cavallet and across to Dalt Vila, the family-run institution that is La Escollera [pictured] has always been a resident’s winter beach restaurant of choice – open 365 days a year and offering a combination of dishes based on decades-old family recipes and new contemporary creations (with a great selection for vegans). If you’re thinking to the future and wondering about Christmas in Ibiza, this is the place to be!

Campo classics: The countryside shines in autumn

When the seasons change (in this case we’ll concede to call it autumn), there’s nowhere more beautiful to be than the gorgeous Ibiza countryside. The light is just a little more golden, the air just a little more crisp (note, not cold!) and a breeze rustles the treetops with an air of romance that’s unlike the heavy, humid summer days and nights. It’s fair to say that the north of the island shines at this time of year and there’s an array of restaurants in the heart of the campo that remain open so you can dine beneath the trees, by fields of flowers (or sheep) or even right next to the organic garden where your food has been grown. La Paloma has long been a local’s favourite, from the days when it was a secret, until now, when it’s almost impossible to score a walk-in during summer. In the off season however, the pace is a lot slower – lazy lunches in the sunny garden from Wednesday to Sunday, or get cosy in the interior by night from Thursday to Saturday.

Keep driving north and take a right turn to follow the winding roads to luxury Agroturismo Atzaró, where the garden restaurant La Veranda offers the opportunity to sit beneath the shade of a vine-covered trellis, surrounded by beautiful lush lawns, orange groves and ancient olive trees. Farm-to-fork is the concept here, and you won’t find any fresher – the produce comes straight from the expansive Atzaró Vegetable Garden, right onsite. Back on the road, and just before you reach the village of San Juan, Shamarkanda offers a rustic hideaway, with an amazing fusion restaurant saluting the best of Asia and the Mediterranean alike, with live music on Sundays. And of course, one can’t visit San Juan without paying a visit to the iconic secret garden, The Giri Café [pictured] – whether by day or by night, the magic of this restaurant has been winning the hearts of island foodies for a decade now. Be sure to pay a visit before the season is up!

Date night: Where to snuggle up for winter romance

The arrival of winter in Ibiza normally gives couples an excuse to bunker down and Netflix and chill, but after experiencing a three-month lockdown right before summer, it’s easy to see why islanders in love (or those on the dating scene!) are keen to still spend their nights exploring the island. We’re not ready to stay home or inside just yet! Dining alfresco is still a possibility – though wrapping up warm is recommended, as restaurants can sadly no longer give clients blankets to keep warm due to the C-word – and with some of the most beautiful, and Instagrammable locations in the world on our doorstep, it’s not hard to find a place with cosy corners, great food and an intimate, romantic atmosphere to spend your date night.

La Mesa Escondida, housed within boutique hotel Petunia Ibiza, wins hands-down when it comes to views – the restaurant has a front row view of the mythical rock of Es Vedra, with fine Italian and Mediterranean food that equals its epic location. There are still a few weeks left to enjoy La Mesa, so be sure to check it out before it closes for the season. La Torre Ibiza, on the west coast of Ibiza, offers the double dreaminess of an Ibiza sunset – soundtracked by the best Balearic DJs no less – combined with fantastic food, and is the perfect place to while away an October evening. Back inland, on the famous San Juan restaurant road, the softly-lit space of Nagai [pictured] offers plenty of cosy corners perfect for lovers – especially for lovers of sushi and fine Japanese fusion cuisine. A newcomer on the Ibiza culinary scene is the in-house restaurant at Cas Gasi near Santa Gertrudis – now open to the public and helmed by one of Ibiza’s very finest chefs, David Reartes. Open all year round, the restaurant introduces a new level of gastronomy to Ibiza, one that no foodie should miss.

Group gatherings: Because we can’t do it in our homes!

At the moment, the current health and safety restrictions mean Ibiza homes can only host up to five people in total, which can put a dampener on group gatherings like birthdays or special occasions. And while restaurants also have limits on the amount of guests per table, there’s nothing to stop your friends being clever and booking multiple tables in one venue, right? (Let’s just keep that our little secret for now though). Some of our favourite places in Ibiza have menus that are ideal for sharing – and whether you’re a group or just a small table, it’s still nice to know that the age-old tradition of breaking bread with friends can still be enjoyed, even if it is on a slightly smaller scale.

For the ultimate in barbecues, we can’t go past the magical alfresco setting of Casa Maca [pictured], on the outskirts of Ibiza town and overlooking Dalt Vila – ideal for a sunny weekend lunch. If you’re looking for something more traditional, Tapas Ibiza – as the name suggests – in San Antonio serves up the finest selection of both typically Spanish and twists on tapas, and has long been loved by locals all over the island. In Santa Gertrudis, Bottega Il Buco remains the place to be seen (and to spot visiting A-listers and models – yes, even in October, you never know who you’ll be sitting next to!), snacking on focaccia by the slice by day or by night and sipping fine organic wines. Just a little further up north, Bambuddha never fails to satisfy, with its temple-like setting and amazing MediterrAsian menu, not to mention ‘all you can eat’ evenings and a big screen for the football. Back in Ibiza town, there’s no better place to share a meal with friends than Locals Only – how could we not congregate there, with a name like that? Of course, it’s not exclusive to islanders – rather, the name implies that citizens of the world should all feel welcome to dine here, and with amazing lunch specials, the freshest produce, a creative Italian-influenced menu, and a buzzing atmosphere at night thanks to its Plaza del Parque location, there’s all the more reason to go there, my dears…

Party time: Civilised and socially distant, of course

We’re all very much aware that 2020 is the year that Ibiza lost its famous nightlife scene, however that doesn’t mean islanders weren’t allowed to have fun! It just had to be pre-arranged, pre-booked and partaken in a slightly more civilised and socially distant manner – with a much earlier bedtime than many of us are used to. Well, they say change is a good thing and the only thing we can do with these government mandated changes is try to look on the bright side, and from our perspective, the bright side is that some of our favourite, more intimate places, remain open and there’s more space and time for us to enjoy them in the winter!

Pikes has always been an island institution when it comes to hedonism, and they’ve managed to keep the hotel’s authentic spirit alive this year no matter what restriction has been thrown at them. There’s just one week left to experience the magic – be it indulgent gourmet pizzas and burgers, washed down with champagne and cocktails as you chair dance on the sunset terrace or by the pool, a decadent evening meal in the hot pink Pamelas restaurant, watching the inimitable blondewearingblack sing live on Friday night, tucking into the final Sunday Roast soundtracked by The Brothers Grim and special guests next weekend – make the most of it before winter hibernation sets in! Of course, there’s always good vibes to be had at Bambuddha’s in-house bar, Tantra Cocktail Palace – where you can sip on bespoke cocktails or fine wines before or after your MediterrAsian feast, but for an all-year-round haunt with a very Ibiza twist, we can’t go past our favourite cocktail bar, Paradise Lost [pictured], in the back streets of the gypsy quarter in Ibiza town. Now serving up tasty quesadillas, so you don’t need to quaff your cocktails before rushing off for dinner, the little bar with a big heart is one of the last bastions of hedonism in Ibiza town – again, socially distanced, closing up a little earlier than usual (but opening earlier too!) and with lots of hand sanitiser of course!

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The best retreats in Ibiza in 2020

Everybody starts off the year with the best of intentions; to get fit, to get healthy, to practice yoga more, to eat less – whatever the plan, by the time spring comes around, it’s fair to say the struggle gets real. Fortunately, that is exactly when the Ibiza retreat season kicks in, and whatever you’re looking for in your life, you can be sure there’s an island escape that’s perfect for you. From fitness and fight clubs, to yoga and gong baths, plus feminine goddesses and nature hikes on mountain tops, now is exactly the time to make the most of the temperate weather and the tranquil island nature as you revive, reenergise, revitalise and regenerate with some well-deserved me-time.

Ibiza Retreats, Private Locations

With over 10 years’ experience in holistic yoga healing, and a series of three signature retreats taking place in some stunning mountain top locations across the island, Ibiza Retreats is the island’s original retreat company, facilitating holistic healing for hundreds of yogis and corporate clients over the years. GLOW works on deepening and expanding your yoga practice with a journey through the physical asanas; HARMONISE tunes into mindfulness, and sound healing, while NOURISH develops women’s empowerment, aligning with the natural cycles and rhythms of the feminine. Co-founders and teachers Larah Davies, and Susie Howell bring their life experiences and yoga teachings to the mat and beyond, joined by a selection of the best therapists in Ibiza to personalise your journey. Corporate clients include Hilary Clinton’s ‘Women in Leadership’ initiative and Vital Voices among others, and the team also design and host bespoke retreats within Agroturismos such as Can Lluc and Can Sastre. Ibiza Retreats photography (including main image) by Sofia Gomez Fonzo

Visit the Ibiza Retreats website

Soul Adventures at Xuclar Beach House, North West

Offering a refreshing escape for the soul, Ibiza’s premier Kundalini yoga and healing experience, Soul Adventures, offers magical and intimate retreats in the far north of the island, just steps away from the bohemian beach cove of Cala Xuclar. With four, five and seven day retreats incorporating shamanic practices, transformational healing and plenty of Kundalini-led teachings, teacher Trish Whelan – who has been describe as a ‘shamanic fairy godmother’ – leads small groups of six to eight people in their quest to find inner peace and radiance. Trish’s no-nonsense attitude combined with her rock and roll past brings humour, laughter and lightness to the profoundly personal healing going on during her retreats, while the eclectic and unique vibe of the Xuclar Beach House – also Trish’s home – where the retreats take place, vibrates with a powerful energy, helped along by some spectacular nightly sunsets, and a radiant soundtrack to all those kriyas.

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Rockovery Retreat at Pikes, San Antonio

Proving that wellness is indeed the new rock and roll, Pikes Ibiza launches its inaugural three-night, four-day Rockovery Retreat within the laid-back boutique venue on Monday April 27, 2020. Designed for for rebels and Ibiza royalty, guests can expect a holiday of self-discovery, wild exploration and some professional training and nutrition, as the retreat aims to connect guests back to nature while re-establishing a healthy relationship with your body, mind and soul alike. Bringing fitness in the form of a Fight Club is Pikes resident personal trainer Franky Vincentio, while founder of Cosmic Pineapple Kim Booth hosts sound healing sessions.Tthere’s also yoga and breathwork classes from experienced teacher Ksenia Goryainova and guided mountain walks from Toby Clarke. Pikes head chef Lee Milne is joined by Professor James Brown to create nutritionally dense dishes for the duration of the retreat and of course, Pikes being Pikes, guests can also dip in and out of that famous Club Tropicana pool and vibe at will.

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Birth of Venus with Kelly Morgan at Agroturismo Can Planells

Life coach and women’s activator Kelly Morgan offers 12 fortunate females the chance to give birth to the Venus within themselves at Agroturismo Can Planells in the rural and tranquil north of Ibiza from Saturday April 18, 2020. The Birth of Venus retreat offers a full week of delving into the feminine power to awaken and rebirth the goddess living inside. Through divine initiation ceremonies, massages, hikes, daily morning yoga to embody the changes and ritual dances to embrace the sensual, the retreat aims to liberate you from old traumas and teach trust in the female intuition, in addition to releasing whatever is holding you back in your life’s ultimate pursuit. Highlights include a trip to Es Vedra, Ibiza’s most mystical and iconic limestone rock formation, and a two-hour womb lift massage encompassing mind, body and soul.

Visit the Kelly Morgan website to read more about the Birth of Venus retreat

Ananda Yoga Retreats Ibiza at Benirras

Ananda means happiness, joy and a state of bliss, which is how you’ll end up feeling after a stay in the north of the island with Ananda Yoga Retreats Ibiza. The brand’s traditional Ibicenco villa mixes the modern with the magical on top of the hillside just close to the legendary Benirras beach. Tastefully decorated with a home away from home atmosphere, the retreat experience is similarly relaxed, allowing you to dip into as much or as little as you need for your own personal experience. Retreats run regularly from May until September, with different teachers to suit every desire. From Jivamukti and classical Hatha, to Kundalini and Vinyasa Flow, there is something for everyone, while still giving guests the freedom to enjoy a holiday too. Chefs offer a tantalising and healing vegetarian menu of locally sourced produce to aid the journey to bliss.

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Choose love… and falafels

Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. You think you know where I’m going with this, right? Wrong! As much as I love Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting and even by default, Ewan McGregor, my own version of the Choose monologue goes down a very different path to our dear Renton. You see, I choose love. And I choose falafels. And if you don’t know the connection between the two, well, I suggest you get yourself to Pikes on Wednesday July 31, 2019 to find out for yourself.

My first Choose Love experience was towards the end of last summer, when UK charity Help Refugees threw a pop-up party at Pikes (which as my regular readers know, is my favourite place on earth) and I have to admit I’ve pretty much been an addict ever since. It was here that I met the amazing Syrian chef Imad Alarnab – a truly incredible soul, who was once one of the most successful restaurateurs in Damascus. Let me give you a little background: When the war broke out in 2012, two of Imad’s restaurants were destroyed by bombings and he – like so many others around him – decided to flee the country in search of a better life for his family.

Imad’s journey took him through Lebanon and Turkey, on an extremely precarious, life-threatening boat journey to Greece, then through Serbia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and France, before he ended up in the refugee camps in Calais, where he used his cooking skills to feed as many people as possible. This conjures up an uncomfortable image many of us know from the news, but because it’s not something that affects us on a daily basis so, we find it easy to look the other way. Recently the United Nations shared a statistic that from an original population of 22 million, there are 13.5 million Syrians today who are currently seeking humanitarian assistance, and five million of those are refugees living outside of their war-torn country. FIVE MILLION. It certainly puts perspective on complaining that it’s too hot and crowded at an Ibiza club on any given summer night.

As usual, I digress. After three intensely challenging months, Imad found asylum in London, where he decided to give something back to the charities that had helped him, including Help Refugees and UNICEF. What started as a pop-up Syrian supper club – staffed by volunteers and with proceeds being donated to Hope Hospital in Aleppo – has grown to include a fully-fledged restaurant (Imad’s Choose Love Kitchen) and has now come to Ibiza, in the form of a monthly Choose Love event at Pikes. Imad himself flies out to Ibiza and takes control of the Pikes kitchen for the night, where he creates an amazing Syrian style feast (mostly his mother’s recipes, so he tells me) chock-full of amazing herbs, flavours, spices and scents. The falafels…. Oh those falafels! I have never tasted anything so good in my life. And the hummus… it’s not of this world. The Bado (smoked aubergine) was like heaven in my mouth, the Halloumi salad was a masterpiece and the thought of eating that lamb again each month is what gets me out of bed most mornings.

Just like with Imad’s Choose Love Kitchen in London, the proceeds of the Pikes Choose Love dinner are donated to Help Refugees – is there any better reason to organise a night out? As a matter of fact there is! Well, they’re not necessarily better reasons, but there are definitely more of them. You see, Choose Love at Pikes is much more than just the pop-up supper club. There’s also an art exhibition, curated by Print Club London, who have collaborated with some of today’s most talented contemporary artists on interpretations of the Choose Love logo – designed by British designer Katharine Hamnett (the creator of the original Choose Life slogan tees in the 80s). Each print you see exhibited around the ground at Pikes is also for sale (easily rolled up and packed into your luggage to take home) and yes, the proceeds are donated to charity. A good excuse to collect them all!

Going back to Katharine Hamnett’s tees, you can also snap up the exclusive Pikes twist on the tee designed in collaboration with Silken Favours on the night too. With celebs like Julia Roberts and my fave Kylie Minogue supporting the charity of late, it’s definitely the must-have t-shirt of the season (if you’re not in Ibiza, you can get kitted out via ASOS, with 100% of profits going to charity). BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! There’s still one last reason to get yourself to Choose Love at Pikes next Wednesday night…. but I’m not allowed to say because the news is under embargo right now and we all know I’m a good girl who can keep a secret when asked.

Let’s just say that the past three Choose Love parties have featured some pretty sensational special guest DJs, but that next week’s guest is pretty much the crème de la crème of electronic artists right now. It’s someone who is truly a force of nature. It’s someone who has previously graced the decks at Pikes just once (for a roadblock debut party) and called it the greatest gig of their career. It’s someone who still believes… ah, I’ve said too much. You’ll just have to Choose to find out on the day! Choose your future. Choose life… But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got falafels? And a super special top secret DJ that my heart is going to burst if I can’t share the secret soon? Photography by Elliot Young Photography for Pikes

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Goodbye Mr Pike

After 85 incredible years, five wives, four children, a modelling career, a shipwreck off the Bermuda Triangle, countless love affairs, kindred friendships with some of the most iconic celebrities of our time, infinite crazy adventures and more parties than most of us will experience in a lifetime, Tony Pike has left the building. Physically that is, as the iconic and hedonistic hotelier passed away in his sleep here in Ibiza on February 24, 2019, leaving behind a legacy that will live forever. The building in question is none other than Pikes, and while Tony Pike sadly won’t be propping up the poolside bar this summer – where he had been famously holding court for the last 39 years – his presence (and loss) will be felt throughout the hotel forever. As the sign says outside: You can check in, but you can never check out and in the case of Tony Pike, never a truer word has been spoken.

Tony was one of the old guard in Ibiza; he’d been there, done that and written the book – literally; his autobiography Mr Pikes: The story behind the Ibiza legend was released in 2018. If you were to pick up the book with no prior knowledge of Tony or Pikes, it’s quite possible you’d think it was a work of fiction. Each and every story – and there are so many of Tony’s tales squished within those pages – seems more outlandish and sometimes more scandalous than the next, but sure enough, they all took place in real time, in real life. As the old saying goes: you just can’t make this stuff up! I won’t go into detail here – buy the book! – but when you’ve read it, there is a fair chance that by the end of it, you’ll be shocked and surprised that Tony made it past the age of 50, let alone all the way to 85. What a life well-lived.

Like many of us who have lived (or spent time) in Ibiza for many years, I have a special connection to Pikes and feel forever indebted to Tony for this. You see, I think I may never have even moved to the white isle had I not been fortunate (or could it be clever?) enough to have spent my very first week on island soil at Pikes. This was back in the day when (GASP!) the island didn’t have such a huge presence on the internet. Social media wasn’t even invented. I lived on the other side of the world – Australia – so I had very little clue about where to stay in Ibiza – I wanted a boutique hotel and when I was Googling ‘ibiza boutique hotel’ to try and find somewhere appropriate, the only place that kept showing up was Pikes. The website at the time was quite terrible I recall – the photos of the room were tiny and slow to load so you didn’t really know what you were getting yourself into – but there was a section that sang the praises of its founder and owner Tony Pike, in addition to mentioning his many famous friends and guests.

When I discovered that Tony was Australian (which I later on found out was not his birth nationality, but where he’d declared citizenship) and that Kylie Minogue had spent time at Pikes, that cemented the decision for me. If there was an ‘Aussie done good’ in Ibiza, and one that our very own singing budgie had frequented his place, then I needed to get on the bandwagon immediately. That very first night I arrived, I remember bouncing around in the back of a taxi as it went up that famously bumpy (but now smoothed out) camino, wondering what the hell I’d gotten myself into. It was pitch black, it felt like the taxi had been driving for about 40 minutes (the big highway wasn’t there back then and there was no such thing as GPS so perhaps he’d gotten lost – my Aussie twang pronouncing ‘Pikes’ is a far cry from the Spanish ‘Pee-kays’), there were no signs anywhere and the campo seemed like a horror movie waiting to happen.

And then, the magic happened. We raced up to reception to get out of the rain and at once I was greeted by that famous wall of goosebump-inducing photos and a friendly smiling face who said they’d kept the reception open while waiting for their Australian guests to arrive. Ahh, there’s my Kylie. Oh look! Bon Jovi! Freddie Mercury! George Michael! Julio! Grace Jones! Every superstar DJ from the 90s… We were led down to Room 1 and I instantly felt at home. I’d never seen architecture like this before. The quaint little mezzanine and the wooden stair railings, rickety tiled floors, the wood beam ceilings and a tiny private garden – it was all new to me. And I clearly remember the very first thought that came to mind: I needed go back to Australia, collect my cat, and come back because we could seriously LIVE here! In the light of the next day, we could see the hotel was in much need of some love – this was many years before Tony went on to sell it to the Ibiza Rocks Group – but I was already in love. Every shabby surface, every broken window pane, every bathtub that didn’t have enough hot water to fill it up… I loved it!

And when we got up for breakfast (far too late; at the time they only served breakfast till 8am, but smiley-faced barman Emil – who has now worked at Pikes for over 35 years – plonked us on a bar stool, made us one of the best Bloody Marys I’d ever had and went about finding someone to whip up a basic brekkie for us anyway because he was nice like that. Right about that time, the sun had come out, that famous Club Tropicana pool was sparkling in all its glory, and as we surveyed the slightly crumbling empire around us we were greeted by the man himself, wearing a robe (if I remember rightly) as if he too had just swanned out of bed. “This is my hotel,” I remember him saying by way of introduction. “Where are you from girls?” Being fellow countrywomen (and in bikinis) meant we’d gotten Tony’s attention and we proceeded to chat about life in Australia, what brought us to Ibiza, what had brought him to Ibiza and so on and so forth. We thought he was charming (perhaps a little too forward given our age differences – though I would go on to learn that was simply his way with all women) and that was the start to a life-changing holiday, because true to my very first thought on checking in, I went back to Australia, collected my cat and moved to Ibiza. For obvious reasons living at Pikes wasn’t really an option so ultimately I found my own place with rickety tiled floors, wood beam ceilings, quaint little nooks and corners. And I never left…

Over the years I met and spoke with Tony again on many occasions; I was always amazed by his stamina, his charm and his ability to tell a story. I was of course saddened to hear that he had passed away but at the same time just so impressed that he lived – and boy did he live! – to be 85 years old. Pikes will always be a testament to Tony’s hard work and creativity; I imagine the team at the hotel are already planning to create a place where the many thousands of people whose lives he touched can pay their respects to him in years to come.

Speaking of paying respects, one part of me felt like I should be writing ‘rest in peace’ (I mean, after 85 years of being one of the most hard-partying people on the planet you certainly deserve some rest!) within this blog, but somehow I think you’d prefer to be getting up to no good somewhere alongside your dearly departed and debaucherous friends Freddie Mercury and George Michael. So instead I’ll just say this: Goodbye Mr Pike and thank you. I will be forever grateful to you for creating the place that ultimately changed the course of my life and your legend will never be forgotten. Anthony John Pike: 1934 – 2019

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A trip down culinary memory lane

This little slice of Breville-grilled goodness – cleverly served up on the side of a delicate white onion soup starter – is just one of the many ways head chef Lee Milne uses nostalgia to entice diners into the world of culinary flair and flavour at Room 39 at Pikes, and it’s a tactic that’s proven to be successful in the recently revamped restaurant in summer 2018. Milne and his highly skilled team of professional chefs are all classically trained – many boasting Michelin level backgrounds – and their philosophy is to create hearty, honest food made from local ingredients with a contemporary twist, complemented by that little touch of nostalgia. Think flavour-filled gastro-cooking but without all the unnecessary fuss! Take the 11-spiced cauliflower for example – Milne wanted to create a vegetarian starter that packed a lot of punch and took inspiration from the guilty pleasure of the Colonel’s secret herbs and spices to create these mouth-watering morsels with smoked alioli that are almost too good to share.

The smoked ham hock and foie gras ballotine is a dish that takes more than two weeks in the making – from the moment the chefs begin pickling their very own homemade piccalilli (“We’re in trouble if we suddenly run out,” laughs Milne when explaining the process). As ham hock is not readily available in Spain, the chefs brine, slow-cook and strip the meat themselves, before reforming it around a cylinder of buttery foie gras. There’s a taste of the 1980s in there somewhere, fused with the sweetness of local figs and a port reduction. For Spanish diners, the nostalgia comes via the grilled octopus – a dish that is a nod to the classic Galician dish yet given a modern twist by being served on a pillow of aerated potato instead of the typical waxy boiled slices.

When the time comes to order your main meal, happy childhood memories are evoked through dishes such as the glazed pig cheeks, served with the traditionally British combo of bubble and squeak and instead of apple sauce, crispy chunks of Granny Smith Apple – topped with the kind of crackling you’d fight your siblings for at the dinner table. A selection of classics – the Pikes cheeseburger (which has a veggie cousin, the Beetroot & Quinoa Burger), the melt-in-your-mouth beef fillet served with pressed potato and mini Mediterranean vegetables and pan-fried wild sea bass with prawn butter – sates the appetites of the über-hungry or fussy eaters amongst your group (there’s always one!). Allowing the true flavours of the produce to shine is the sign of a great chef – rather than showing off with garnishes or foams, it’s just about cooking everything until it’s j-u-u-s-t right.

There’s an old wives’ tale that tells of people possessing a separate stomach for dessert – and when you’ve feasted your eyes on the Pikes menu, you’ll be hoping this is indeed true. This season’s hit sweet dish at the restaurant is the Egg Custard Tart – yep, there’s that nostalgia again – but be warned: this is not your average custard tart by any means. Each next-level tart takes more than 24 hours to create, with about as much love poured into the bowl as eggs! Hand-grated fresh nutmeg is the finishing touch before the tart is individually sliced and served with poached rhubarb and a homemade macaroon. One mouthful and you’ll be back in grandma’s kitchen in seconds… and quite possibly ordering seconds at the same time.

In another clever nod to the all-time classics, the coconut and pineapple baked Alaska has been given an upgrade in the Pikes kitchen. Made with pineapple parfait and toasted Italian meringue, it’s then blow-torched until it reaches the perfect hedgehog-like caramelised appearance, and served with coconut ice cream for two. Nothing beats tapping into the crispy shell to discover the sweet and fruity goodness oozing from inside… and if you’re too young to remember the original, never mind! You can still appreciate why the original became a classic in the first place. Taking your tastebuds on a trip down memory lane has never been easier – simply reserve a table at Room 39 and let the dishes do all the talking.

Visit the White Ibiza restaurants guide to book a table at Room 39 at Pikes

I heart Pikes

All the more reason to write a blog then! And while I’m oh-so-busy planning a week with no plans, I’ve also been reminiscing about my very first Ibiza holiday. It was a holiday that changed my life because, well, fast forward 11 years and I’m still here. A huge factor of that love at first sight experience was thanks to the place I chose to call my home away from home: Pikes. Of course, back then Pikes wasn’t Pikes as we know it today. Nor was it the Pikes of the Grace Jones and Julio Iglesias glory days. If I’m honest, it was a little shabby around the edges, losing some of its sparkle and starting to fall into disarray, but it didn’t stop me from revelling in its ‘down the rabbit hole’ magic. I remember the first night so clearly. Miss S and I, fresh off an extremely long haul journey jumped into a cab as the midsummer rain was falling outside. I had no idea what to expect of Ibiza (not rain, that was for sure) and as we sped out of the airport, I was dizzy with the sight of all the big-name DJs on billboards. Not an alcohol, fashion or technology brand to be seen.

As we drove up that now familiar bumpy camino to the iconic yellow finca – known to me at the time as the hotel Kylie Minogue had once stayed in, the place Wham! filmed the Club Tropicana film clip and of course, the location for Freddie Mercury’s legendary 4^1st birthday party – it was pitch black. There was not a sound, not a sight and not even a twinkle of a light anywhere. It felt a little like we were driving into a horror movie and as we trudged up the winding little pathway to the dimly lit reception, I was dubious. I was nervous. I was even a little bit scared. Then everything changed. As we stepped inside that reception area, I felt a little like Dorothy stepping into Oz. The photos lining the walls of famous owner Tony Pike alongside pretty much anyone who has ever been famous in the last 20 years or so, gave me goosebumps. I knew this was going to be somewhere special. We were whisked in the darkness into one of the coolest hotel rooms I had ever stayed in – it was my first taste of traditional Spanish style. Split level, ancient Sabina beams in the ceiling, elegant archways and as banisters, quirky tiled floors, a little kitchenette and a little private garden complete with a little stray cat taking shelter from the rain – before I’d even unpacked my suitcase I was imagining how I could find a way to take up residence here in the future.

Totally exhausted, we collapsed for a quick disco nap, with a plan to head to We Love Space however the nap accidentally extended to 10am the next morning (it had been a 36-hour journey after all), when housekeeping were pounding on our door in a panic. You see, in all the confusion with the rain and our somewhat spooky arrival in the middle of the night, they’d checked us into the wrong category of room, putting us in a much more expansive (and expensive!) suite than the teensy tiny basic room we’d reserved over the internet! And they needed it back pronto for its original intended occupants. And once we’d moved into our new digs, I somehow found the littler room even more charming. It seemed I was already well and truly under the Pikes spell. While many of the tales from that fateful holiday can’t be written about – let’s just say it included things like high speed police chases, nights that turned into days with random strangers around the pool, rescuing a newfound friend from drowning in aforementioned pool, receiving a bottle of Cristal as a gift from another stranger who had introduced himself as an international arms dealer and promptly sending it back (sadly my tastes were not as refined back then), missing pretty much every single breakfast and suffering the most painful blisters of my life – they are all fairly tame when you compare them to the life and times of Pikes founder and namesake, Mr Tony Pike.

This leads me to right now, and to the reason I got distracted from packing. You see, earlier this week, Señor Pike (who is not indeed Spanish, but a true blue Aussie) finally launched his autobiography, Mr Pikes, which I imagine is going to be impossible to put down as I do nothing on the beach or by a pool all week long. A gentleman and a cad, a playboy and a grafter, a dreamer and a businessman, a lover and a fighter, someone who has experienced triumph and tragedy, success, failure and success once again. Now in his 83^rd year, I imagine he’s forgotten more amazing tales than I’ve ever had in my life – and yet he still has enough memories to fill a whole book (and that’s after it’s been censored too!). During that first holiday, we had the pleasure of Tony’s company by the iconic pool and over the years since I have been regaled by many more of his tales over a Bloody Mary by the pool, champagne at a swish dinner or cocktails at a party. And of course, I’m not the only one – Tony Pike has been a source of entertainment and inspiration (and probably some frustration!) to many over the years. Everyone who’s ever been to Pikes has a Tony story (or three) to tell at dinner parties when they’re back on home soil and now those stories have been captured for the entire world to read. It’ll probably be a Netflix series before we know it.

So, while Mr Pike is indeed the man who launched the legend (he literally built the hotel with his own bare hands), these days there is a lot more to the Pikes puzzle to keep visitors – be they hotel guests or partygoers – under that same magical spell I first fell under. I mentioned earlier that it had started to fall into disarray (if you want details as to why – read the book!) and it was not long after this that Dawn Hindle and Andy McKay of Ibiza Rocks took the hotel on a long-term basis, giving it a new lease of life and transforming it into Ibiza Rocks House at Pikes Hotel (that mouthful of a name has since been ditched and it’s gone back to its single syllable moniker to the delight of travel journalists everywhere). It couldn’t have been a more perfect partnership. Fusing the hard-partying heart that was at the core of the hotel’s reputation with the rock and roll lifestyle of the island’s premier live music venue, Pikes rose up like a phoenix from the ashes. In addition to bringing the Ibiza Rocks magic touch, the duo also completely respected the hotel’s heritage when it came to decorating and rather than strip it back and revamp it from scratch, they chose to enhance all of the kitsch and quirky elements that gave Pikes its personality, with some extra stylish embellishments added for good measure – think rock memorabilia, taxidermy and a tennis court that was painted bright pink rather than green for a start.

In the years that ensued I have had some of the best days and nights of my life at Pikes – again, many that may not be fit for publishing but probably don’t hold a candle to Mr Pikes, or indeed Dawn and Andy’s, escapades. To me, Pikes is all about freedom: to do what you want, with who you want, wherever you want and whenever you want (well, within reason of course). I think it’s always been that way and it’s really quite a feat that with all of the recent gentrification of Ibiza’s hotel scene, it’s managed to maintain its original ethos. And as much as it’s about the venue itself, a huge part of Pikes is the people: those behind the scenes and those on the scene. For some, you could say Pikes is a way of life… 2017 has seen Pikes take its reputation as the island’s go-to party place for authentic island vibes to the next level. Absolutely every night is a must-visit night; a place where you can still experience authentic Ibiza hedonism and bohemian island vibes. The hotel was recently featured in The Times Magazine as a haven for middle-aged ravers (in a positive way) but what they neglected to mention was that no one at Pikes stops to think for a minute about their age. They just get about being themselves and having a good time. Though it’s worth noting it also attracts a younger crowd, with the island born-and-bred kids (born to the aforementioned ravers) usually making an appearance for some of the epic weekly parties such as DJ Harvey’s Mercury Rising for a musical education of sorts.

Every time you visit feels like falling down the rabbit hole all over again… no two visits are ever alike. Pikes does charity events, all night dancing, jazz nights, high-end photography exhibitions, film screenings, restaurant pop-ups, pool parties, after parties, weddings, birthday parties, amazing music, Halloween (just a few weeks to go until the hotel gets haunted again!), book launches, record releases, the island’s best Sunday roast, retreats, cosmic consciousness raves, Flamenco, fashion pop-ups and it gets transformed into Candyland for a day. It even has its own line of jewellery and homewares. And it famously does fancy dress and bathtub karaoke. Is there anything Pikes cannot do? One thing I still feel after all these years when I step over the threshold at Pikes is that feeling of coming home. Taking up residence is still not out of the question. I dream about spending my golden years swanning about the finca in full-length floating kaftans accessorised by an elegant gold scripted ‘Fuck Off’ True Rocks necklace, pausing to chat with the stuffed ducklings, birds of prey and deer in reception before taking my place in a peacock chair to hand-feed the cats, cocktail in hand of course. On the odd day when I have nothing better to do, perhaps I shall try my hand at writing a book. In the meantime… I better finish packing so I can start reading and take some inspiration from the man who started it all. If anyone needs me while I’m on staycation, I’ll give you one guess as to where you can find me…

Visit the White Ibiza hotels guide to read more about Pikes

The rise of the island’s art scene

When I first moved to Ibiza, over a decade ago (how time flies!) I remember thinking that the island was distinctly lacking in art and culture – dance music culture and billboards aside of course – and that I couldn’t find any art at all, let alone art I liked. Fast forward to 2017 and the island’s art scene has gone from bleak to burgeoning to booming, with a host of gallery spaces, pop-up exhibitions, festivals and visiting artists showcasing works in Ibiza. Now, when it comes to looking for art I like, I feel like I am spoiled for choice.

Most recently, it was the work of renowned Venezuelan artist Diana Gomez that caught my attention – her amazing FREE WOMEN exhibition is currently being held at Pikes, in the lush green hills of San Antonio. Here’s what the press release (and numerous other magazines and websites) will tell you about the exhibition: It’s a feminist-driven and autobiographical show, made up of outdoor installations that are life-sized portraits of some amazing women (including some seriously famous faces), inspired by the artist’s own life and including many that have been used in famous brand advertising (think Nike, Lancome and Virgin). An ode to female empowerment. Sounds good, right? Here’s what you can’t glean from a PR statement or any generic description of these works. The impact this exhibition has on you is jaw-dropping, from the very first photo you lay eyes on. There is such power in these photos, such drama, such emotion. Each work is presented in a lightbox, placed all over the grounds of the hotel, making viewing the collection a little like a trip down the rabbit hole – from lining the walls of the hot pink tennis court and the famous poolside terrace to being juxtaposed against the lush green lawns and even perfectly placed at the bottom of the iconic Pikes swimming pool. It’s adventurous, erotic, sensual, striking, unexpected, challenging, provocative and seriously, seriously impressive.

It was Gomez’s intention to create an exhibition with a difference – the London-based photographer steered away from traditional galleries, knowing they didn’t resonate with her own philosophy or style. Ibiza is an island bursting with creativity, and with many creative women at that, and with one of the island’s most creative faces behind Pikes (co-founder and creative director Dawn Hindle), the perfect setting was right here all along. Now, as I said earlier, I don’t know much about art so I am not going to attempt to critique it here, but I do know what I like and now I can happily say Diana Gomez is on that list. Limited edition prints of some of the works are for sale (onsite at Pikes and also on Diana Gomez’s website, for those who can’t make it to the island to view the exhibition personally), as are the outdoor freestanding billboard works and a percentage of the price will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust – meaning this is also art with a heart, for Gomez has long been a supporter of charity.

Pikes has long been known for supporting artists; from the amazing hand-painted Rory Dobner murals on the wall and the striking neon installations throughout the hotel, to prints by local photographer Jerome and exceptionally styled rooms by Rockett St George, it’s no surprise it was recently named one of the top six art hotels in the world by the prestigious Country & Town House. The introduction of Diana Gomez’s works to the grounds has cemented its place on the island’s art scene. If you’re here before September 30, 2017, you should make it a must-visit on your Ibiza holiday itinerary – by the way, it’s free! Another of this year’s huge contributions to Ibiza’s art scene came courtesy of renowned New York art collector Lio Malca – who is also a long-term island visitor. Having taken over La Nave, the old salt mill warehouse space at the very end of Las Salinas a little over two years ago, this year he injected it with a serious dose of modern art, bringing four enormous installations by the late great US artist Keith Haring to the space: the famously immersive Pop Shop Tokyo, an untitled five-panel mural that was originally an iconic work in the Bay Area of San Francisco, Channel Surf Club – a mural on a container that was once used to house surfboards in Belgium and a sculpture depicting a breakdancer in a headstand.

Entrance to La Nave is also free, as one of Malca’s primary objectives was to give the general public more access to the world’s best art – he strongly believes it should not be the domain of the rich. He sees the ongoing development of La Nave (in addition to some other outdoor spaces) as a place where he can give thanks to the people of an island which has given him so much joy over many years. And for that, Señor Malca, we salute you! Educating little ones about the importance of art is also part of Malca’s island initiative. During the summer, kids’ workshops are held at La Nave, where children participate in street art classes with renowned artists such as HOSH, and can play amongst the world class installations of Keith Haring rather than being held at arm’s length from the art. Art collector Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil, co-founder and owner of HEART Ibiza and another long-term island dweller is another who believes children should be indoctrinated into the world of art from an early age. His own Ibiza Arts Project – which includes the art space of the same name in Ibiza’s industrial area, on the outskirts of Ibiza town and Lune Rouge Sculpture Park on the grounds of his private estate in Cala Conta – invites children from local schools to visit the spaces and learn more about the creativity and genius behind many of the truly incredible works on display.

Ibiza Arts Project is open to one and all, with a rotating roster of big name international artists exhibiting all year round. At this point in time, Lune Rouge is a private sculpture park (with entrance by invitation only, such as with the aforementioned local schools), however one sculpture, Time & Space – The Speed of Light by Australian sculptor Andrew Rogers is set off the grounds of the villa and accessible to one and all. You may have heard it referred to as ‘Ibiza-henge’, as the piece bears a similar appearance to the famous Stonehenge and forms a Fibonacci sequence. On the winter solstice, groups make the (easy!) pilgrimage to its Cala Conta cliffside location to watch in awe as the sun strikes the 23-carat gold tip of the highest column. Another must-do to add to your Ibiza list. Laliberté has plans to relocate the sculpture park to another island location and open it to the public in the future, however if you do want a sneak peek in the meantime, pick up a copy of the latest edition of WHITE Ibiza Magazine, where we were fortunately given access (with a camera!) to this amazing space. With some sculptures towering at a few storeys high, another made out of hundreds of intricate pieces crafted together to create an almost natural looking tree and even more showing Laliberté’s penchant for works with a definite sense of humour, it is at once humbling and inspiring to be surrounded by such great work.

This is just a snippet of the art on display in Ibiza these days. We also have the annual Urban in Ibiza festival at Agroturismo Atzaró – one of the original champions of the island’s art scene – and the cutting-edge Bloop Festival, which (amongst many other things) has seen an array of eye-catching murals popping up on formerly bland walls and spaces all across the island. My personal favourite are the two colourful pieces by Mexican street artists Spaik in the dark tunnel that connects Los Molinos and Ibiza town. Fortunately for me, I get to pass by on a daily basis (it’s the last remaining free parking area in Ibiza town – but shhh! Don’t tell anyone) and I am constantly amazed at how these seemed to spring up overnight – the first in 2016, the second just a few months ago. Then there are the gallery spaces, truly brimming with so much creativity from Ibiza, mainland Spain and all over the world. Parra y Romero, Galeria Micus, the all-new LC Gallery, B12 The Gallery and of course, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo in Dalt Vila.

There are so many up and coming local artists now being given the opportunity to show their works in public spaces such as OD Hotel Ocean Drive, Gran Hotel Montesol or El Hotel Pacha among many others. And then, if you’re lucky enough, you may be invited inside the homes of some of the island’s most highly regarded art collectors – from original old masters to Andy Warhol, Murakami and beyond, the calibre of art in Ibiza is well and truly world class. Of course, as much as I confess to like it, not much of this art is within my humble budget. I mean, not only do I not have the space to display a Jenny Holzer or a Diana Gomez in my little apartment, I also don’t have the means (yet!). But one thing is for sure – I’m extremely grateful that thanks to a handful of visionary island taste makers, I no longer have to get on a plane to enjoy them.

Open Kitchen at Pikes

Everyone is welcome, and invited to bring their best ideas, banter, behaviour, skills and talents to the table, making the iconic hotel a melting pot of creativity and style. In 2017, the hotel’s in-house restaurant Room 39 takes this idea to the next level, with the introduction of Pikes Open Kitchen – an all-new concept where head chef Lee Milne steps away from his post for a night (after all, chefs need their beauty sleep) and a guest chef is invited to take over. “The idea is that we can open up our kitchen and become a platform to showcase new ideas in food,” explains Pikes Food and Beverage Manager Steve Hughes. “A big part of the Pikes ‘personality’ has always been collaborating on ideas with other people, and by default with Pikes Open Kitchen, our own menu will grow. It means we’re not limited to just one type of food – it’s about making food people will enjoy.” He cites the UK’s ever-evolving culture of gastronomy as inspiration, in addition to working with the island’s limited seasonal produce, while Milne sees Pike Open Kitchen as the chance to learn new things from outside influencers.

The revolving roster of pop-up events throughout the season is guaranteed to get any Ibiza foodie’s mouth-watering in anticipation. The very first event was hosted at the end of June – a sell-out edition of the Music Supper Club concept – and set the bar high for the months ahead. The feel-good event took guests on a global spice trail, presenting fiery dishes from India, Pakistan, Jamaica and the West Indies, all the while raising funds and awareness for the homeless in Ibiza. The brainchild of local healer and ‘earth mama’ Selina Ingram, who tirelessly cares for the homeless, the event saw locals and visitors taste buds tantalised by the three-course meal, followed by a fun night out in the much-loved establishment, all happy in the knowledge that 25-percent of the profits would be donated to charity. Two more Music Supper Clubs are in the calendar at Pikes this summer, taking place on July 27 and September 7, 2017. White Ibiza blogger Miss W did her bit by feasting for a good cause at the debut event – to read more about the overall experience, click here to read her latest post.

Depending on where you live, street food is either a major part of your daily life, or a trend that’s taking your local city by storm, however here in Ibiza the street food craze hasn’t quite taken off yet due to local regulations for food trucks and lack of appropriate venues. Enter Vietvan at Pikes on September 21, 2017 – bringing authentic, fresh and fabulous Vietnamese flavours to the Balearics for one night only. Founders of Vietvan, Nick and Tracy, first discovered their passion for Vietnamese cuisine while travelling and after being trained firsthand by street food vendors, they returned to London ready to unleash their newfound skills on the city. It wasn’t long before they’d established themselves as successful private caterers, regulars on the London market scene and collaborating with brands such as London Fashion Week, Kate Moss Agency and Boxpark among others on private events. It made sense for the duo to work with Pikes when they were searching for an Ibiza venue – the edgy and stylish brand along with its cool clientele ticking all the right boxes. Expect a traditional menu including caramelised chicken, lemongrass pork and chilli and pepper tofu, with all fillings served in the classic Vietnamese banh mi style (in a baguette) or with salad and topped with the freshest, zingiest Vietnamese garnishes.

After a successful string of pop-up events under his ‘Meatopia’ banner in 2016, chef Richard Turner of Hawksmoor fame returns to Pikes in 2017 for even more meaty marvelousness. A bespoke barbecue in the fairytale gardens of Pikes, Turner creates delicious rubs, smokes and marinades and dedicates hours and hours to grilling meat to perfection. It’s a little bit medieval, a whole lotta rock and roll. Just remember his mantra: Eat meat. Sleep. Repeat. You can read more about the events last year here – just be warned. The pictures may make you accidentally drool on your screen. Local chefs too, have been invited to take part in the Pikes Open Kitchen concept, with the first being much-loved island resident Anne Sijmonsbergen – author of The Eivissa Cookbook and known by the nickname ‘Organic Annie’. Passionate about promoting farm-to-table produce and preserving island culinary trends and traditions, you can expect healthy, flavour-filled plates showcasing the very best ingredients plucked directly from island sea and soil. Dates currently to be confirmed for Turner and Sijmonsbergen’s pop-ups – keep your eyes on the weekly White Ibiza calendar for news of when to reserve your table.

In true Pikes style, each pop-up event will be accompanied by a host of Ibiza entertainment, classic Pikes hijinks and sound-tracked by the who’s who of DJ talent. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ night at Pikes – each and every night hosts a completely unique adventure, fuelled by the personality and tastes of guests alongside the hosts and regulars. Of course, if you don’t happen to be in Ibiza for any of the above pop-up events, Room 39 is also open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. The come one, come all ethos is preserved to this day. Whether you’re loading up with a full English breakfast and a Bloody Mary before hitting the beach, tucking into some poolside tapas dishes in the afternoon, sitting down to dine family style by night or indulging in the island’s undisputed, finest Sunday roast, diners are always welcomed into the Pikes fold as if they were old family friends. As Hughes succinctly puts it: “There’s a reason to come back every week!”

Visit the White Ibiza restaurants guide to reserve a table at Room 39 at Pikes