A new chapter for Playa d’en Bossa – Playa Soleil

For some time now, the buzzing beachside town of Playa d’en Bossa on Ibiza’s southern coastline has been undergoing a resurgence. While it’s always been a popular tourist hotspot, it’s now transformed into a slick seaside destination that draws a jet-setting crowd – think Miami but in microcosm form. The success of open-air venues like Ushuaïa Ibiza and its late-night sister nightclub Hï Ibiza – along with their accompanying bevy of eponymous hotels and restaurant spin-offs – undoubtedly have a lot to do with the area’s regentrification, and the brand’s expansion on those golden shores looks set to continue with the launch of all-new luxury beach club Playa Soleil.

Set on the seafront at the very centre of the beach (the location was home to Bora Bora in its heyday), this prime piece of frontline real estate has been given a glamorous reinvention, shaking up Bossa’s golden shores for the better. A collaboration between some of the island’s most influential hospitality pioneers, Playa Soleil is a summer oasis where sunshine, sophistication and style effortlessly entwine. The spacious beach club is divided into a series of distinct spaces, each with its own characteristic mood designed to ignite the five senses. Whether you’re chilling out and sunbathing on luxe daybeds, dining with friends and family in one of the many restaurant spaces, or dancing barefoot in the sand to world-class music, this is a place for new memories to be made.

With famed island nightlife promoter The Night League (the brand behind Hï Ibiza and Ushuaïa Ibiza’s signature parties) curating its events, Playa Soleil has been popular with the high-glam party set since day one. There are three unique spaces to enjoy spectacular soundscapes within the venue: beachfront restaurant Playa Chica, covered terrace dining space Le Restaurant – described as the beating heart of Playa Soleil, where the vibes pick up around dusk with some of the best international and local DJs – and Maison Musique, the venue’s divine indoor club space where an inspiring selection of electronic musical talent perform behind the stunning carved stone DJ booth with the state-of-the-art sound at the venue’s flagship events all summer long.

Wednesdays belong to the All I Need crew, fronted by island favourite Andrea Oliva, who is joined on a rotating basis by the likes of Nico de Andrea, Cristina Tosio, Afshin Momadi and more. On Fridays, Israeli maestro Guy Gerber returns with his much-loved Rumors party, alongside superstar DJs like Nic Fanciulli, Shahar and Talón. And on Sundays, end the week with Palmarama, where dancing atop sand comes courtesy of an eclectic bunch of invited DJs, with special appearances by big names like Luciano, who kicked off the opening event, and none other than the revered Sven Väth, who’ll be spinning the Playa Soleil soundtrack on Sunday, August 20, 2023.

The beauty of Playa Soleil is that it’s much more than just the sum of its parts. Simultaneously a hub for carefully curated music, food, art and holistic practices, the gorgeous beach club offers a multi-sensorial experience designed to nourish mind, body and soul. It’s a must-visit for the world’s free-spirited creatives, who instantly feel at home in its surrounds. While dusk-till-dawn dancing is de rigueur, it’s the quieter areas of the venue where you’ll discover the new soul, spirit and serenity of the venue, starting with the palm-fringed paradise of Les Palmiers. Here, heavenly Balinese beach beds are designed for pure relaxation – ideal for couples or groups of friends alike – and all you need to do is lie back and order cocktails.

Nearby, Les Dunas is an intimate, shaded premium bar designed to encourage deep conversation and the forging of new friendships, thanks to its concave design and shaded, handcrafted seating. By day, it’s laid-back luxury – by night, firepits add a sizzling ambience. Knowing not all beach days are alike, Playa Soleil also boasts the ultimate beach club hangout dubbed Playa Grande, where hammocks are strewn between palm trees, 80 stylish sunbeds and 50 luxurious double daybeds are lined up to ensure unobscured Mediterranean views, and laid-back tunes spun by talented selectors waft among the sea breeze. Beach kits and safety deposit boxes allow you to relax in style, while the service is no less than impeccable.

Head to Oasis for a peaceful and relaxed dining experience, surrounded by exotic cacti and succulents while gazing out to sea, or for a feast with high vibes, head to Playa Chica, where world-class gastronomy is served beneath bamboo parasols and billowing sails. The beautifully curated menu is an ode to the finest quality, locally sourced and organic ingredients, prepared with precision craft. Snacks at Playa Soleil include decadent treats like plump oysters with caviar and vinaigrette; squid Andalusian style with zesty lemon mayonnaise; and gourmet sandwiches piled high with luxe fillings like Stracciatella and caviar, and Japanese Wagyu with red cabbage and barbecue sauce. Don’t miss the expansive sushi platters or the hearty, traditional paella to share among the table, just add lobster for a luxurious twist.

For the ultimate Playa Soleil gastronomic experience, reserve a table at Le Restaurant, a shaded terrace dining room where Imperial Caspian Osetra Caviar is served with arepas and crème fraîche; marinated Galician rubia beef is sliced thinly like a fine ham; and silky-smooth grilled aubergine is brought to life by cool tzatziki, pomegranate and caramelised hazelnut. Sushi makes the perfect interval on a day spent splitting time between sea and sun, and the Playa Soleil selection is hard to beat. The classic California rolls, made with sweet crab, mango and cucumber are irresistible; the flambé tuna tataki is tender and served with serranita sauce; and the tasty salmon nigiri is a melt-in-the-mouth morsel you’ll never forget.

Days spent lazing on the silky sand are thirsty work so to satiate guests’ thirst, Playa Soleil boasts a menu of exquisite signature cocktails. Mediterranean Dreams pays homage to Ibiza’s abundant flavours, blending Bacardi rums with star anise, orange, cinnamon and pear; the Caletta Express reinvigorates the classic Ibiza drink café caleta by combining it with Zacapa 23 rum, herbal liqueur and fragrant vanilla; and the Fiero Spritz is a refreshing concoction of Martini Fiero, elderflower liqueur, Prosecco and mint. A fine selection of Champagne is also available, as well as fruity-fresh jugs of Sangria, and non-alcoholic smoothies and juices.

Be sure to stop off at Le Boutique, where a veritable treasure trove of hand-picked pieces from island designers and bohemian brands sit alongside hand-crafted organic products – an elevated type of souvenir that certainly eclipses the sarongs and beaded bracelets of Bossa in years gone by. And if you have little ones in tow, they’re also welcome to enjoy the sights and delights of Playa Soleil at Mini Playa – a kids’ club like no other in Ibiza. Open daily from midday until 6pm, children aged between four and nine years old are welcome to take part in face painting, arts and crafts, games and much more as they make new friends from all corners of the globe under the watchful eyes of the expert team.

As Ibiza’s famous sunset begins to take hold of the skies and the horizon blushes, an altogether different atmosphere settles over Playa Soleil. Relaxed vibes make way for excited anticipation, as the line-up of world-renowned international DJs, special guests and exceptional performers take to the stage beneath the Balearic stars. The sound waves rebound across Le Restaurant and Maison Musique – which also features exclusive VIP areas and services – and continue well into the night. A space in which to rest, eat, dance, and soak up all the elements that continue to make the white isle completely unique, Playa Soleil is reimagining Playa d’en Bossa in a new light.

I heard a rumour…

Rumour has it that there’s a sea of people on the beach at Playa D’en Bossa clamouring to be part of the action. Rumour has it you’ve got to arrive early to score a good spot on the dance floor. Rumour has it all eyes are on Guy Gerber to see if he can recreate that day-to-night magic of the Cocoon after parties that were held in the same location (in its former incarnation) with his RUMORS party.

The FACT is, Guy Gerber has absolutely nailed it with his Sunday RUMORS residency at hot new Playa d’en Bossa beach restaurant BEACHOUSE Ibiza.

I know. I was there. However there were a lot of other rumours circulating the venue on the night, so obviously, I had to go on a fact finding mission to get the lowdown. Results below.

Rumour: Everyone at the Rumors party at BEACHOUSE Ibiza is really, really, really ridiculously good looking.
Fact: Everyone at the Rumors party at BEACHOUSE Ibiza is really, really, really ridiculously good looking.

Rumour: Guy Gerber is so commercial now he’s collaborating with Puff Daddy.
Fact: Well… I must admit there were a lot of people at the front of the DJ booth clamouring to snap his picture with their mobile phones, but isn’t that just a sign of the selfie/social media times? And considering the fact that the Gerber and Diddy album only came out on Monday – the day after the party – how can you make that judgement?

Rumour: Ravers won’t go to a restaurant for a party.
Fact: It’s a free party with Guy Gerber. Who in their right mind WOULDN’T go? And what a beautiful location, with skies turning pink and purple over the palm trees at sunset, sand dunes surrounding you and the beautiful Mediterranean Sea stretched out ahead.

Rumour: There were couples getting frisky – if you get my drift – out on the sand in full view of the party.
Fact: This is Ibiza. No one cares, or batted an eyelid quite frankly.

Rumour: The all-new uniform for Ibiza clubbers is long black tees for boys and any kind of crocheted top, dress, skirt or bikini for girls.
Fact: There was more crochet per square metre than at a knitting party in the ‘70s and there was a bit of a goth-like feel among the dudes. Come on guys, Enter is on Thursdays – get creative like the man behind the decks, who is known for being partial to a Hawaiian shirt or two!

Rumour: Other Ibiza DJs were sniffing around, trying to work out the secret to Rumors’ success.
Fact: I spotted Richie Hawtin, Dan Ghenacia and Felix Da Housecat in the hood…

Rumour: It was mayhem after 10pm.
Fact: As a matter of fact, it was totally organised mayhem. If, like me, you were paying attention to your surroundings, you’d spot the crack team of BEACHOUSE Ibiza hostesses, managers, security guards (looking slick by the way boys – love the jewellery!) and promoters expertly weaving their way across pre-determined paths through the restaurant, serving drinks, communicating via little microphones and keeping everything under control. This is pure party professionalism.

Rumour: People were so desperate to get close to the action of the DJ booth, they were offering double the price of a VIP table to ensure they scored prime position.
Fact: Anyone with the determination to wangle their way through the sea of people on the stairs can get close to the DJ booth… although not with a bottle of Grey Goose at your disposal!

Rumour: Miss W forgot to Instagram her way through the evening, so was she ever actually there? If a selfie of the event doesn’t exist, did it really happen?
Fact: I tried. The proof is in my lame Instagram posts. The body-to-body ratio of people in the venue combined with balancing a drink in hand made it pretty tricky to manoeuvre your phone from your bag, let alone snap atmospheric images… most of mine are a blur (hmm, a bit like my memory the next day!).

Rumour: Ibiza beach parties just aren’t the same anymore… it’s all for tourists.
Fact: Oh get a grip old timers. I totally felt the old school Ibiza vibe in full force at Rumors, with plenty of familiar faces propping up the bar, chilling on the beach and dancing with reckless abandonment in the sand!

Rumour: It’s absolutely impossible to park in Playa d’en Bossa on a Sunday.
Fact: This is true, however the fact the valets had a slick operation of cars parked three-deep all the way up and down the street means not only do you have to NOT worry about parking, they’ll deliver it back to the door for you later. Or catch a taxi folks – drink driving is so 1997.

Rumour: The after parties are just getting more and more crazy each week.
Fact: You had to be there to find out!