7Pines Resort Ibiza review: the hedonistic days are gone, R&R is where it’s at

It’s Ibiza but not as we know it – the party has officially left the building. The nightclubs are empty (all closed due to Covid) and this has given the island a chance to reset and reposition itself as a place of wellness. Ibiza is where folks come to heal, to see a unique Balearic beauty by daylight and to go home rested and refreshed.

On the west coast of the island nestles 7Pines Resort Ibiza (part of Destination by Hyatt) between the vast, unending Mediterranean Sea and a pine forest, the evocative scent of which hangs deliciously in the air, the aroma triggering nostalgia-filled memories of holidays past.

The resort

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Ibiza has heavy restrictions on construction to ensure it remains an unspoilt, stunning destination and to preserve its natural beauty. This means that any “new” hotels have to take on the shell of a previous hotel or building and nothing can be touched on its coastline – a blessing for the visitor but a challenge for hoteliers. 7Pines is built on the site of a previous hotel and has become an all-suite resort consisting of whitewashed Ibenico-style homes that nod to the island’s historic architecture. It consists of 185 suites though you’d be hard pushed to guess it had even a quarter of that.

The suites are refined and elegant, often with sea views, featuring super size, ultra comfy beds; they have well thought out mini-bars which, alongside more standard fare, come complete with everything you need to knock up your own in-room luxe cocktails (including fancy glasses) – a lovely, celebratory touch.

A number of the suites have private plunge pools but the central one is where it’s at. The huge pool feels more like a bunch of interconnected, smaller ones; it’s refreshingly cool with spectacular views over the bay. Poolside service is friendly and efficient.

For those wanting something a little quieter, you can head down to the rocky shoreline. The stairs have seen better days – given the aforementioned construction restrictions, the descent has to stay in disrepair. Scramble over some rocks and you can easily step down into the sea – there’s a natural, submerged staircase to help you straight into the dreamlike, clear, blue water. You’ll want to ensure the seas are calm if you’re giving this a go but it’s well worth it.

Eating and drinking

Wellness aside, the hotel truly excels when it comes to the food. Ingredients are carefully sourced and beautifully presented from breakfast through to a showcase dinner in the hotel’s Michelin-aspiring restaurant, The View, with its stunning open kitchen and 120ft panoramic window looking out onto the incredible, expansive oceanscape. Locally sourced fish, meat, vegetables coupled with foraged, hyper-local ingredients make up the flashy fare. It’s food to compete with the best in any metropolis, made the hotel’s own with a pairing of Spanish simplicity and a lightness more commonly found in Asian cooking.

The main restaurant in the hotel is the Cone Club where you’ll take said breakfast on a huge, peaceful veranda. Whilst tucking into a croissant, the eagle-eyed amongst you might spy a dolphin or two out in the bay early in the morning – they tend to follow the small fishing boats.

It doubles as a tapas restaurant in the evening with some traditional, well-executed crowd pleasers like croquetas, jamon and pan con tomate alongside more adventurous undertakings like crunchy cheese rolls with citrus sabayon. A little closer to home, if you’re in London, you can find a similar delicacy at The Draper’s Arms in Islington on its bar menu (aptly named “Cheese Crack”).

There are larger and sharing plates on offer at Cone Club, great for grazing and all with distinct nods to Ibiza and the Balearics. Don’t miss its own exquisitely dangerous take on sangria, made with strawberries, cava and a host of secret ingredients.

What to do?

While some visitors are here to perpetuate the hedonism of previous years - there’s quite a bit of poolside partying - R&R is where it’s at. There are early morning cliff-top yoga practices overlooking the mystical isle of Es Vedra (ask a local if you want to hear some spooky stories!). The view from the rotunda is expansive, captivating and utterly serene.

If you’re looking for something a little more physical, take a paddle-boarding trip out from one of the beaches around the coast. Rock ID organise a guided one that culminates with a fabulous private picnic overlooking the ocean.

For some serious self-treating, the Pure Seven Spa offers a range of ancient and modern treatments, hybrids of various schools of massage alongside a number of different skin and beauty treatments.

The resort is now closed for the winter and will reopen for the 2022 summer season from 1 May to 16 October. Rates vary within season and occupancy. Guests are able to experience the resort starting from around €300 (£260) per night. Villa rates start from €2,900 (£2,500) per night; 7pines.com