the summer hotel
The clubs are closed but the beach clubs are not. So this year Ibiza is more daytime, quieter, calmer, more like home. Less crazy. The arrival of the first vacationers and the first international planes is noticeable in the rental cars that are beginning to be seen circulating around the island. Most, however, get to visit friends or relatives. In fact, many of the hotels are still closed. In this unusual setting, the opening (not reopening) of a new hotel like the W is especially exciting. And the result? Right now we are going to check it, because today it has just opened its doors.
The new W Ibiza occupies the old Orquídea hotel, a v shaped building who have been totally (but totally) turned around. with his entrance covered with lush vegetation and a green facade achieves that so difficult that it is to go unnoticed and, at the same time, attract attention. Towards one side of the sea, there is direct access to the promenade of Santa Eulalia del Río and the sea, to the other, to the town.
That's how close the new W Ibiza is to the beach.
WHERE IS IT?
If you come to Ibiza with the intention of exploring the island, this can be a perfect base of operations. Located a few meters from the sea, on the promenade of the quiet town of Santa Eulalia del Rio , you will be 10, 15 minutes maximum from practically anywhere on the island. If you go north, in 15 minutes you can be alone in the middle of nature or on the quiet beaches of the north and, if you go in the other direction, you have all the animation of the city and the bars and clubs within ten minutes.
Of course, maybe all you want is to go to the nearest beach. In that case, you just have to cross the street (about three meters) and that's it.
This is the only five-star hotel on the island on the beach. "Many hotels have the beach nearby, but none offer the combination of beach, town and the promenade," says its director of marketing, Thomas Van Keulen.
The W Ibiza is full of spaces where you can feel comfortable.
THE BEACH
The coastline of the town of Santa Eulalia is made up of two bays: one connects with the port and the town and the other, quieter, is where the hotel is located.
And on the beach, in front of the hotel, is the Chiringuito Blue. As its name suggests, it is a beach bar and it is blue, because of the sea that almost splashes it. This year it will be open for lunch and dinner. "It is the kind of place where you want to sit down and have a drink and forget about the clock, so you order another one and then something to snack on and another one and, suddenly, several hours have passed”, says the marketing director of W Ibiza. The atmosphere is relaxed, a nice mix of couples, families and locals.
On the sand of the beach there are beds to lie on do nothing, doze, read, watch the waves and jump into the water every time. “The water here is perfect and there is room to spare to maintain privacy and safety distances”, Thomas assures us.
The Santa Eulalia beach enjoyed by the new W Ibiza
AMBIENT
In Ibiza, most hotels are aimed at a very specific audience: either night owls who come to party or families seeking tranquility or the rich and famous. In this sense, the W Ibiza, which has a little bit of everything for everyone, it is aimed at a more heterogeneous clientele that appreciates that mix of luxury, lifestyle and entertainment. "We are not a hotel to come to party, but our music program is very interesting. Let's say this is a hotel both to be comfortable doing nothing reading a book or to go out, have fun and discover new DJ's", summarizes Thomas.
Couples, families, modern, old school, night owls, early risers... the W Ibiza is for all audiences
THE WELCOME
Lush vegetation welcomes the new W Ibiza. In the background, beyond the hall, you see the sea “The lobby extends to the same level as the beach, so the sea can be seen from everywhere. It is especially beautiful when you arrive at sunset.” Go through the lobby and you will reach the pool, the Wet Deck, as they call it here, and WLounge, half inside, half outside and connected to the pool.
The W Lounge is shaped like an amphitheater and is inspired by the stairs of the Dart Vila of Eivissa, inviting people to sit on the swing-sofas or on the gigantic (and very comfortable) cushions “thrown” on the steps. To have a drink, a coffee or a cocktail, alone or in company, inside or outside.
Swing sofas and huge cushions thrown on the floor are the stars of the W Ibiza spaces
MORE THAN A POOL
Around the pool, the Wet Deck, there are cabanas and semi submerged beds in the water to be so comfortable and cool, sitting soaking, and **palm trees, many palm trees. **
Seeing so many palm trees will make you disconnect and put the "holiday mode" immediately, even if you are one of those who find it difficult to change the chip.
Also from the pool you can see the sea and the promenade, but nobody will be able to see you from the outside. Doesn't that sound like the perfect place?
The palm trees will help you put the "vacation mode".
THE SOUNDTRACK
As a good W, he does not understand life without music And, although this summer it is not allowed to dance or have big parties, it will adapt its programming to the limitations of the moment and, of course, the DJs will give their best during pool hours. As the sun goes down, the DJ sessions they will continue inside the W Lounge and, after dinner, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., there will be more music until 1:00 a.m.
With a poster yet to be confirmed, what seems certain is that there will be big names alongside lesser known ones (for now).
In addition, W in collaboration with The Martinez Brothers and music platform Splice have released a worldwide contest to find the sound of summer . The winner will have the opportunity to record a session with the duo from the Bronx in the Sound Suite of the W hotel in Barcelona.
One of the delicious and healthy dishes of Ve Café
THE GASTRONOMY
We will have to wait for next season to try The flame, the modern steakhouse of the famous Israeli chef Haim Cohen where everything is cooked directly on the fire, because this summer it will not be open. But it's okay, there's plenty to choose from, like go coffee and its appetizing menu of fresh and healthy food based on vegetables –both for breakfast, lunch and dinner– that is always served in bowls. Or the already mentioned Chiringuito Blue, which proposes **a journey through the flavors of the Mediterranean starting in Tel Aviv and moving plate by plate towards Ibiza. **
THE ROOMS
From the more modest Cozy Rooms (25 square meters) to the Extreme Wow Suite, which is 140 square meters and has a terrace of the same size – yes, wow! – all 162 rooms breathe the Mediterranean in every detail and the decoration is inspired by different places on the island.
Although this summer the details will be minimal, since some of the articles and objects, such as the precious blanket that covers the foot of the beds, have been removed from the rooms to minimize their use and, therefore, maximize security. “Nobody actually uses that blanket, it's mainly decorative, but if you want it, if you ask for it, we'll put it in your room,” explains Thomas. The same will happen with the extra pillows and some of the bathroom amenities, which you will have to ask for from room service.
Almost 90 percent of the rooms have a terrace or balcony and twelve of them have their own private pool.