Review: Ibiza Gran Hotel

Why book? A seductively peaceful spot, the Ibiza Gran is a slice of laidback island life that’s deceptively close to the bustling town centre.

Set the scene Something akin to Gatsby’s green light, rising above Dalt Vila(Ibiza's old town)—a giant flashing ‘C’ beckons party-goers and hedonistic thrill-seekers across the bay, announcing the hotel’s casino. But for those lucky enough to be staying here, the 'C' stands for much more. Creative interiors, calm atmosphere, classy restaurants, composed staff; all of these are de rigueur here. Despite being a 10-minute walk away from the old town’s nightlife hub, the hotel feels swathed in a blanket of peace.

The backstory Committed to providing something different on an island with plenty of smart hotel options, Ibiza Gran is a grown-up, cultural refuge. Owned by a renowned hotelier clan across Spain, this is Ibiza's first art hotel. Inside, contemporary artists have created more than 400 bespoke works. In the lobby, Mallorcan artist Tomeu Ventayol's giant, cream oval contrasts with the lofty, square-shaped atrium. On the first floor, an installation of rope and stone by Toni Esteva was designed as an ode to the Mediterranean, and in our suite, a Rodin-esque bronze sculpture by Luis Martin Duque brings the art gallery feel into the bedroom.

The rooms Eager to cater for every guest’s whim, the hotel has 12 different room configurations. The most basic option is a premium, set on the hotel’s first and second floors and looking out across Talamanca’s busy streets, with a king-size bed, rainfall shower and uber-deep bathtub. Those looking for private pools should book a superior suite, with indoor and outdoor whirlpool baths and a terrace looking out over the pool and garden. Or book one of the rooftop lofts for a sprawling space set across two floors, with two open-plan bedrooms, a living room, terrace, private heated hydro-massage swimming pool and sun deck with shady olive trees. Our favorite was the superior pool suite: not too big, not too small, set right on the hotel’s corner, so views across the harbor to Dalt Vila come uninterrupted from the private pool. Nightly rates start around $248.

Food and drink: Breakfast? Breakfast is served in The Grand Breakfast, a shady garden restaurant with help-yourself spreads. The bread is baked each morning; every topping you could imagine is available to go on the made-to-order pancakes, and the chef at the omelette station remembers each guest by name and has individual orders on the go before you’ve even asked. The pool restaurant is for light (or not-so-light) lunches. Seafood is fresh from Ibiza’s harbor, with tapas-style suppers, salads, pizzas or Spanish and Mexican poolside classics—go for the guacamole and tortilla chips followed by the chicken quesadillas with melted cheese, peppers and crème fraiche. If you’re really hungry, opt for the catch of the day, salt-baked before being cracked and unveiled at your table.

Food and drink: Dinner? The hotel’s magnum opus, however, is La Gaia. At the helm is chef Óscar Molina, who arrived in 2008, and has since been working tirelessly to transform La Gaia into Ibiza’s premier dining destination. In December 2021, his hard work paid off: the restaurant became the first and only hotel restaurant to be awarded a Michelin Star on the island. Seamlessly blending local Ibizan produce with traditional Japanese methods, Molina has named the restaurant’s concept ‘Mediterranean kaiseki’, designed to pay homage to Japan’s ancient culinary techniques. Choose between two tasting menus of eight or 12 courses. Every plate from the Posidonia 12-course menu is a work of art, almost (almost) stopping you from digging in. Stand-out courses include the oysters, cured in a tiger’s milk foam and served with pickled cubes of Granny Smith and jalapeño; a sweetly spiced pumpkin sabayon accompanied by thinly sliced Balearic black pork, and the caviar, which is served in a bowl of mustard-hued bone broth and seaweed. Head sommelier Vasili Abodzich is more than happy to explain each paired drink or advise on the best bottle to accompany the entire menu. The low-lit restaurant deserves a place on every foodie’s Ibizan hit list.

The spa The Ibiza Gran spa is a tranquil sanitary. Hidden behind a cascading waterfall by the main pool, enter to find a Turkish bath-style layout. The hydrotherapy circuit has been carefully designed to be followed in a specific order, taking you from icy plunge pools to steaming hot tubs; aromatherapy steam rooms and whirlpool baths, each leaving you feeling purged, cleansed and fresh. Facials are designed by skincare expert Linda Meredith—try the Ayuna for a deeply spoiling treatment.

The neighborhood Nearby Playa de Talamanca is a favorite beach among locals, where ramshackle seafood restaurants and classic Mediterranean beach clubs rub shoulders with the likes of Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay. A few minutes' walk the other way from Ibiza Gran, Sir Joan is another recent opening, the latest intimate hotel from the Sir group with contemporary design, a green-fish-scale-tiled pool and a breezy terrace with Dalt Vila views. The old town is a 10-minute walk away, where you’ll find some of the island’s oldest, most revered restaurants and bars. Stop by Comidas Bar San Juan, a rough-around-the-edges family-run spot where staggeringly delicious dishes of seafood, steak and authentic Spanish stews come piled high and cost around $12.

The service Behind-the-scenes magic. Someone is always on hand to help at the slightest hesitation, but without leaving you feeling monitored. Ask for suggestions on places to go nearby; most of the staff have lived on the island for years.

Eco effort The hotel is doing a lot to help reduce its impact on the environment. The team has recently installed 370 solar panels on the hotel roof to reduce more than 100 tons of carbon dioxide each year. In rooms, bottled water has been replaced by Soul Water recyclable cans, while in the restaurant, one euro from each meal is donated to IbizaPreservation as part of a campaign to reduce the use of single-use plastic on the island.

Accessibility for those with mobility impairments There are three dedicated rooms for those with disabilities. The showers have folding doors and chairs, and toilets have rails. The main swimming pool has a ramp for wheelchair users, and all the restaurants, bars, lounges and main public areas are on the ground floor and are wheelchair accessible.

Anything left to mention? Spend time strolling through the hotel, admiring different artworks dotted around each floor. On the first floor, take a look at the mural Náufragos by American artist Nicholas Woods, a colorful masterpiece of coral, pink and green splashes, an ode to the underwater world just outside the hotel. Or stop by the first-floor library area, where a wide selection of art books and novels are available to borrow, and plenty of cosy armchairs are waiting for someone to curl up for an hour or two.