After a long late flight to the White Isle, my partner Eisbär and I were rather looking forward to some much-needed relaxation in the glorious sunshine of the Mediterranean. Ibiza is a relatively small Island, one-sixth the size of nearby Majorca, however it has become famous with the elite with its eclectic mix of boutique hotels, award wining restaurants and world-renowned nightlife. For these reasons we were rather excited at the prospect of our first trip to Ibiza and the ability to stay at one of the islands most celebrated 5 Star hotels, Hacienda Na Xamena.
Founded by Daniel Lipszyc, a Belgian architect, and his wife in 1969; construction started to create a hotel of quality and great comfort, perfectly integrated into the landscape, protecting the surrounding nature. It was a job for a real pioneer, as there were no roads, water, electricity or telephone lines at the time.The Hacienda Na Xamena officially opened in 1971, and in 1988, the hotel was awarded with its fifth star, becoming the most quoted hotel on the island, characterised by its discreet luxury, its distinguished but familiar atmosphere and its helpful service.
The hotel is located in the northwestern part of the island, in the heart of a wild and protected natural area, boasting exceptional flora and fauna. Our drive from the airport was long and winding, as we climbed to the hotel we began to realize why this hotel is unique amongst it’s 5 star piers on the island. Built on the top of the cliffs, 180 m above sea level the hotel is surrounded by the Mediterranean and nestled among the pine swathed forests, a prime location to take in the vistas of the northwestern part of the coastline.
We were warmly greeted at reception, our bags were taken through and we were offered chilled water to fend of the humid heat outside.We had arrived rather early so our room was not yet ready but this was of course no problem as one of the main attractions of the hotel is its cliff top pool, the first thing on Eisbär and my agenda! We were shown down to the pool where we encountered the magnificent view from the cliff top over The Suspended Cascades and down to the sea below, the sunlight bouncing of the blue water creating a real feel of tranquility. We had thought ahead and packed a “Pool Day” Bag so headed to the spa to change and then installed ourselves on the luxury sun beds under the wooden gazebo for the perfect part shade part sun option.
Everything at Hacienda Na Xemena has been done to create harmony between the outside and the inside: patios, arches, galleries, plants, white architecture and the spectacular entrance of a great Ibiza´s style country estate. You can see the great attention to detail in the marriage of nature, architecture and art within the hotel creating a homely approachable space despite the heavy use of white throughout the hotel. After some morning sun bathing we crossed the pool area to restaurant located on the ground floor of the restaurant area for a spot of lunch.Looking out over the pool and view beyond this area is used for breakfast and informal dining at the hotel as well as housing the hotel’s bar and lounge. The food at the hotel is very in keeping with the ethos of Hacienda Na Xamena, fresh local ingredients cooked simply and with care taken to make dishes healthy, our seared tuna steaks was delightful!
After lunch our room was ready, the lovely staff came and found us poolside and escorted us to our Superior Double Room on the same level as the reception (as this hotel is built on a cliff the floor levels descend from Ground down). Being so high up in the property meant we had unrivalled views of the Mediterranean, the spacious room had a Jacuzzi inside the room next to the panoramic window and a private balcony from where this amazing view could be savored. The room was pure white with granite grey floors, a huge mirror lined one wall by the king size bed, the furniture and décor was all white except for small hints of light pine wood.The bathroom too benefited from the spectacular view as the wall between the bathroom and room was made of glass which gave you the ability to shower while looking out on to the blue waters below. The wonderful thing about the room was as the day went by and the sky changed you could admire and immerse yourself with the view: the turquoise blue sea, the dazzling sky, the wild cliffs as well as some truly unforgettable sunsets, a very romantic spectacle indeed, especially room the in-room Jacuzzi!
The hotel is boutique in that it has 77 rooms and suites, it also houses 4 restaurants, a bar, a spa with outdoor and indoor facilities, 3 fresh-water swimming pools (2 outdoors and 1 indoor), a gym and a tennis court so there is plenty to keep residents busy during their stay even if they do not venture out to experience the island beyond. We were in Ibiza for business so the ability to use Hacienda Na Xamena as our private sanctuary was a lovely break from the stresses of everyday life. Chilling poolside taking in the ambience while eating and drinking healthy fresh food washed away the anxieties of work, life and the hurried bustle of our home city London. With free 24 hour Wi-Fi throughout the hotel we were still able to work but what could make for a better office than a sun soaked cliff top in Ibiza?
The hotel is now run by Alvar Lipszyc, the architect founder’s son and his wife, Sabine, they have introduced new and exciting aspects to the hotel. Building on the basic ideals of its founders and respecting the natural environment, they have created new concepts made up of ‘magical moments’. One of these new editions include The Suspended Cascades, a 45 min hydrotherapy treatment consisting of 8 pools heated at different temperatures that give hydro-jet massages starting from the sole of your feet and finishing with a full body exposure. Despite Eisbär’s preference for frozen water on-piste, he thoroughly enjoyed his experience at the Cascadas Suspendidas. From the spa we were shown down to the start of the labyrinth of pools, in our bathing suits we entered the first pool, the jets worked each muscle group as you moved through the pools, the temperature of the water also changed dependent on pool. The third to last pool was our favourite, the view while leaning on the pool edge over the cliff and down to the sea below was breathtaking; a true Hallmark moment. After the therapy you relax with a fresh tea and fruit before being shown back to the spa. This new edition to the hotel does indeed add a magical moment to an already magical stay, as well as being beneficial for your health and body, the perfect therapy in my opinion!
The connection with nature at Hacienda Na Xamena allows guests to get back to the natural rhythm of life and fully enjoy the day. From any point in the hotel from the restaurants to the rooms you can experience the days four special moments – sunrise, noon, sunset and the starlight sky. Upon check out it was with a heavy heart we said goodbye and took off down the dusty road, for this special place of luxury on the white island has, without any doubt, a revitalizing and invigorating effect not easily rivaled anywhere else.
Hacienda Na Xamena
Na Xamena
San Miguel 07815
Ibiza
Spain
