One lifelong dance fan and one Ibiza virgin hit the party island for two very different adults-only stays…
Senior Designer Sasha Cunningham and husband Grant checked into one of the world’s best clubs.
“You won’t get any sleep!” my 20-something colleague exclaimed when I told her where I was spending a weekend.
I’d already visited Ibiza four times, but for my 40th I wanted to go all out and stay at the cult hotel and club Ushuaïa, which opened in 2011. After all, you don’t go to Ibiza to sleep (although we did get some kip in the enormous bed and on the private beach).
Everyone who’s anyone has played Ushuaïa, and this year Calvin Harris returns to a residency, alongside David Guetta and Swedish House Mafia. If you’re staying at the hotel, you’re on the guest list!
Just 10 minutes drive from Ibiza airport, we get our first glimpse of the Ushuaïa Tower, clad with giant wildflowers.
The aroma of mandarin and ginger, the hotel’s signature fragrance, wafts down the red carpet, while the modern arty decor, electronic dance soundtrack and welcome treats of sex on the beach cocktail lollies show us that we’ve found the right place.
From frogs dancing in the flowerbeds to giant ants climbing the whitewashed walls, the design is unique. There’s the spectacular party pool, private plunge pools and Playa d’en Bossa’s golden sands just steps away.
Our superior double room has mirrored walls, a waterfall shower, Clarins toiletries and a “maxibar” with spirits and snacks plus glitter tattoos and diamanté face masks.
At The Beach Club, we find beautiful feather-clad dancers and wellness cabanas offering massages.
Japanese restaurant Minami sits directly behind the main stage, offering incredible sushi, from £2 a piece and a front-row seat at the party, while Montauk Steakhouse cooks meat to perfection – try the sharing plate of tenderloin, ribeye, skirt steak and pichana, £41.50 per person.
Elsewhere, The Oyster & Caviar poolside bar has ceviche and fresh oysters on ice, £7 each, served with low-tempo beats, and The Beach by Ushuaia dishes up sharing paellas, from £32 per person, as well as the Unexpected Breakfast – with everything from steak to ice cream on offer come sunrise.
For less scary prices, just a six-minute walk from the hotel, Mumak sits right on the beach and serves faves such as pad Thai, £15.50 (Mumak-tropical.com). It’s also next door to Playa Soleil beach club, which hosts DJs till 2am (Playasoleil.com).
Over the road is Ushuaïa’s sister club Hï Ibiza, voted No.1 in the world by DJ Mag, with breathtaking digital screens and legendary Glitterbox nights – think mirrorballs galore, glitter cannons and an addictive mix of electro funk tunes and guilty pleasures (Hiibiza.com).
This place really is one of a kind and, as we have two young kids back at home, we reckon sleep is overrated anyway!
A double room costs from £348 (Theushuaia experience.com).
Beauty Writer Mia Lyndon found brilliant boutiques and yoga with a view on a girls’ getaway.
As I sip a cocktail beside the rooftop infinity pool, gazing across the bay to the party town of San Antonio, I know I’ve made the right choice for my first trip to Ibiza.
Rooms at Amàre are simple and chic, with egg chairs and waterfall showers. There are also brilliant (free!) yoga classes four times a week, overlooking the sparkling ocean.
Talking of sparkling, you can nab free-pour prosecco in The One, a secluded lounge for those staying in Oh Là Là The One rooms like me, and there’s also bubbly and mimosas at the buffet breakfast, which sets us up nicely for a day chilling on the sand and hopping between the hotel’s three pools.
The largest restaurant, Hayaca, has 360-degree views across the Punta des Molí bay with its impressive sunsets, but also moreish strawberry daiquiris, £12.50, and tender wagyu rump, £30, with sweet potato fries, £7.60. I finish with an indulgent tarta con chocolate, £7.25.
One day we climb the winding pathways of Ibiza Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, following the cobbles up to Castell d’Eivissa, an ancient castle.
Lining the streets are cute boutiques filled with gorgeous handmade sandals and boho threads. We pop by Cocktails & Dreams on our descent for a jug of white sangria, £21.50, then hunt out Barocco Ibiza for divine Brazilian coconut and Cameroonian banana ice cream, £4.25 a scoop (Baroccoibiza.com).
Keen to dip my toe into the music scene, a 15-minute cab ride takes us to Café Mambo, the iconic beach bar (Cafemamboibiza.com).
A Ruby – a mix of gin, red berries and citrusy tonic – £15.20, hits the spot as I watch another epic sunset. I don’t need to party until sunrise to have a good time…
Rooms cost from £145 B&B (Amarehotels.com/amare-ibiza).
Flights from the UK to Ibiza start from £59 return
