Over the years, numerous European hotspots have proclaimed themselves the "new Ibiza", from Mykonos to Zagreb and even Budapest. But for many jet-set partygoers, the sun-soaked Balearic island remains the unchallenged nightlife capital of Europe.
Partying is not only central to Ibiza's reputation, but also to its infrastructure, economy and even its politics. Indeed, these days, large swaths of the White Isle have been almost entirely turned over to clubs, bars and late-night hedonism.
But amid all the revelry, even the most determined bacchanal needs a base camp to return to.
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Enter OD Talamanca, a five-star design-focussed boutique hotel on Talamanca beach, a short stroll from Ibiza's most exclusive marinas and a stone's throw from some of the island's best-known clubs, restaurants and the celebrated Unesco heritage site of Dalt Vila (the Old Town).
(Image credit: Copyright: Raquel Martnez)
The hotel has an unassuming presence, set a few streets back from the water's edge with its entrance sunk beneath street level, but once inside, its clever design becomes more apparent, with a bar doubling as a reception offering welcome drinks as you check in.
Once formalities – and informalities – are complete, guests are ushered to their rooms, most of which sit directly above the hotel's central courtyard, which is equipped with three pools across three decks. These rooms also offer a glorious view out to the Ibiza port and the Old Town itself, with the imposing Cathedral of Our Lady of the Snows perched high above it.
(Image credit: Copyright: Raquel Martnez)
For a touch more luxury, the hotel also has two duplex apartment suites, each of which offers two bedrooms over two storeys, with their own rooftop terraces and private pools - one's own Balearic apartment for the weekend.
(Image credit: Copyright: Raquel Martnez)
Guests in these suites also have access to their own Smart Cabrio with which to explore the island. And once your exploration does get underway, Ibiza is surprisingly large. So aside from all that dancing, where should you wine, dine and recline during your stay?
Sa Punta
Wander round the foreshore past the oversized holiday houses of several Real Madrid football players and you arrive at Sa Punta, a sprawling, open bar-come-beach shop-come-fine dining restaurant. The venue actually houses three restaurants: Ginger, an East Asian eatery which cherry picks contemporary favourites from Japan to China, including fresh sashimi, tightly wound Peking duck rolls, sweet Thai fish cakes, piping hot prawn dumplings and perfectly light chicken ginger and lime gyoza; and, upstairs on the roof, Patchwork, which turns out light Lebanese sharing plates to lounging diners. A mix of hot and cold mezze is the perfect accompaniment to an evening on the terrace watching the sun go down and the lights come up across the lapping waters of Talamanca Cove. Finally there is Sa Punta's eponymous fine-dining restaurant, which offers sumptuous dishes at surprisingly reasonable prices - with an excellently matched wine list to boot.
Midway along the winding Carrer la Santa Creu, in the heart of the Old Town, sits a relatively nondescript restaurant that spills a few tables on to the street. Venture inside, however, and a Narnia-like world of themed caverns and rooms across several levels opens up before you. The decor spans everything from delicatessen storage room chic to high-end Art Deco bistro while the menu offers light bites such as tapas and sushi for those dropping by for a short pit stop.
To get the full experience, however, settle in for a full four-course Italian-themed feast. Begin with antipasti, one of the magnificent trio of tartars on offer and the deliciously creamy burrata with Bloody Mary sauce, then ease into the inventive pasta dishes, such as the duck confit lasagne or the ricotta, mushroom and caramelised onion ravioli. Mains include a perfectly-flaking turbot stuffed with sundried tomatoes and a beef tenderloin whose juices melt and mingle with the accompanying foie gras. Desserts warrant their very own menu, with highlights including a flawlessly executed tiramisu and a white chocolate and pistachio brownie.
In Ibiza, one is never far from a scenic spot to watch the sun go down, but some spots are more perfect than others, such as the relatively newly opened Experimental Beach. An offshoot of the small chain of secretive speakeasies found in New York, London and Paris, it may not look much like its basement-dwelling cousins but it certainly shares their high-level mixological DNA. The breezy beach club sits on the edge of a rocky beach, a short distance from the main drag of Salinas, and serves up wonderful sundowners, including the bar's twist on a Spanish classic, the Royal Sangria, made with elderflower, cava and orange juice, and the popular Old Cuban, mixing rum with fresh mint, ginger and Angostura bitters.
Travel in style with Ibiza Delivers (ibizadelivers.com/water-taxi), a chic sea taxi that can whizz you and seven friends exclusively to the worst-kept secret of the Balearic isles, the idyllic island of Formentera. The journey, soundtracked by your choice of music, is the perfect entree to Beso Beach, a fantastic tented restaurant where you can dine in your bikini with sand squelching between your toes. A favourite of celebrities, it is Instagram nirvana, with impeccable food, delicious cocktails and effortlessly charming service.
With new head chef Silvia Nicolini at the helm, the restaurant at OD Talamanca is as good as any you will find around the island. So if you can't prise yourself away from the hotel's pools, bars and idyllic views, stay in and try Nicolini's signature cured salmon with quinoa three ways, or the home-stuffed ravioli with asparagus, courgette and marinated pepper salad. But leave room for the tiramisu, which comes in a jar and is topped with chocolate popping candy. Like so much else about OD Talamanca, it is an unexpected, understated delight.
Standard rooms range from €142 to €435 (£125 to £383) per room per night depending on season including WiFi access, soft drinks minibar, services charges and tax. For more information and to book, visit odtalamanca.com
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Arion McNicoll is a freelance writer at The Week Digital and was previously the UK website’s editor. He has also held senior editorial roles at CNN, The Times and The Sunday Times. Along with his writing work, he co-hosts “Today in History with The Retrospectors”, Rethink Audio’s flagship daily podcast, and is a regular panellist (and occasional stand-in host) on “The Week Unwrapped”. He is also a judge for The Publisher Podcast Awards.
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