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The shift in Ibiza’s reputation from hedonistic party island to healthy lifestyle mecca is a little disingenuous. The hippies of the 1960s are seen as the precursors to the ravers of the 1980s and 1990s, although Pacha, the island’s first super club, opened back in 1973.
In reality, the island had always been a place for free-thinkers of any variety, including writers and artists. During the Spanish Civil War, as ferry travel opened up from mainland Spain, natives came to escape from Francisco Franco’s oppressive rule, charmed by the sleepy island.
There is undeniably something special about Ibiza. From the wildness of the winds, the smell of centuries-old pine forests, the sun-ripened figs, olives and almonds, to the clear sea you’re never far from. As with nature, the island follows the seasons. Summer is all about hard partying in core parts of the island, but the rest of the year tourists come to heal.
The magnetism of the so-called White Isle is literal if you believe there’s a magnetic field intersecting at Es Vedrà, a mysterious limestone rock formation on the island’s south coast, emitting spiritual energy (enough to attract aliens, say some).
But Ibiza’s healing culture becoming ever more pronounced doesn’t mean its hedonistic tendencies have been sacrificed. The island attracts people focused on shifting energy, whether that’s raving until sunrise or twisting into yoga poses at sunset. And more and more of us are now coming for the combined comfort and mindfulness of hotels such as the Bless Hotel Ibiza, which wraps guests up in a fun-filled resort-style space above Cala Nova, Santa Eulalia (where the first hippie market was born), 25 minutes’ drive from Ibiza Town.
From arrival, everything is perfectly choreographed, from the different island-related fragrances defining different areas of the hotel to the design, allowing near-permanent views of the defining elements of the island through vast windows, whether Balearic pines or the calm expanse of the Mediterranean (even in lifts).
There are 151 rooms and suites (all with sea views), but it doesn’t feel like the hotel houses that many guests. In contrast to the rich-hippy style of some island retreats, Chanel (as in Coco) is a much trumpeted-interior design influence here, so sharp and smart black and white details are prettified with soft pinks and mustard yellows. Local products are highlighted, with Ibizan salt and chocolate in mini bars.
The hotel excels in its food and drink, with five restaurants and bars to navigate. On the first night of our trip my friends and I ate at Etxeko, a low-lit space of dark woods and cream fabric seating with a fig tree centre piece.
With a whopping 12 Michelin stars, Basque-born chef Martín Berasategui’s kitchen creates seven-course tasting menus under head chef Esteban Sánchez. The restaurant was awarded a Michelin star in 2023 for artfully presented dishes using natural ingredients such as chard and tomatoes, some ramped up with chlorophyll and dishes such as crunchy violet potato with salt-cured prawns, some served on tiny slates, some on ceramic hands.
The staff are lovely, with a level of precision and detail that goes beyond serving food, explaining each dish in forensic detail using giant tweezers to indicate. A few drinks in and this seems like the best show ever.
However impressive the multi-course meal, simple food is my favourite and so my favourite place to eat was LLum, the poolside restaurant with a handsome terrace overlooking the bay. Here, I ate healthy tapas-style dishes such as smashed avocado with a crispy fried egg on top and a cheesecake I mindlessly inhaled in about four bites.
There’s a programme of exercises and health-related activities such as sound healing, pilates and mindful walks, which we decided to do, partly as it was at the reasonable time of 9am (not too early if you haven’t been raving). And after grazing the bountiful breakfast buffet, meaning several rounds of organic artisan breads, thinly sliced chorizo, olives and sun-ripened fruits, we met Aloha Paddle Surf Ibiza (alohapaddlesurfibiza.com), a friendly team offering walks, paddle boarding and yoga.
I had imagined a silent walk along the beach, up through the pine-forest cliffs, hearing the waves thrash about below. IRL the route was the same, but as we walked we wore headsets and were guided by an app. This approach slightly prevented mindfulness, especially when the neighbour who was feeding my cats rang my phone, which was in my poor friend’s pocket.
A tech-free walk would ultimately be more beneficial, allowing the Ibizan scenery to work its magic. Next time I’ll choose paddle boarding. On the way back we noted the old hippies walking their dogs along the beach in the nude, still living the dream. Naturally mindful?
We continued our healthy part of the trip with a trip to the Magness Soulful Spa, which brings the best elements of Ibiza. It’s glamorous, natural and feel-good; a high-ceilinged space with one side entirely a glass wall revealing lush trees and plants. I wanted to move in, wooed by the indoor pool that leads to an outside patio garden, with futuristic metal beds reclining, dentist-style in the water. There’s a circuit with sauna, steam, cold water bath (I’ve iced bath and swam in the sea in the UK in October but dipping my toe was enough), and long pool.
Refreshed, we shared delicious Latin-Asian fusion dishes from bean tacos to seabass with chipotle on the well-named rooftop restaurant, Epic, Which brings every element of Ibizan glamour - white four-poster day beds, an infinity pool, views around the coast and a keep-em-coming cocktail bar.
Life within the confines of the hotel is pretty perfect, the only downside is there are very few reasons to leave.
