The Credentials:
I’ve been coming to Ibiza for years and do quite a lot of business on the island through my company, Neon Fuel. There are a few staples in Ibiza that people talk about; the Old Town, Las Salinas beach, Space and Hotel Es Vive.
Es Vive celebrated its first decade in business last year, and I was intrigued to see if it’s still a go-to place in Ibiza. My preconceptions of a hotel that has been on the island for over 10 years, is that it may be shabby, a bit tired, and no longer cool. The reality was that I could have been stepping into a hotel that had just opened. It seemed fresh, clean, current, welcoming and still a little naughty…
Sleep:
As a converted old hostel, the Es Vive team had to be creative with the limited space they had. The rooms are not the biggest but they are immaculate, stylish and an Art Deco theme runs throughout.
While I was chilling by the intimate pool – which reminded me of being poolside at Shoreditch House – I saw a blond, smiley man busily walking around the hotel, greeting guests like old friends and speaking to staff like they were part of his family. If I had to describe Es Vive, I would need just two words: Jason Bull. He is one of the five owners of Es Vive and it is safe to say that he is hands on and breathes his personality into the hotel.
Incidentally, they have a DJ playing poolside, offering a welcome break from the banging house that you hear repetitively on the island. He played funk, a bit of Fleetwood Mac (which is always a crowd-pleaser), soul and other non-invasive tunes. Toes were a-tapping around the pool.
There is also the relatively new spa, which boosts an extremely large therapy room and is in stark contrast to the rest of the Es Vive theme. It’s dark, calm and soothingly run by Ruth, the slightly hippyish spa manager. I had an express manicure and pedicure and over a week later my pedi was still going strong.
Dine:
In addition to the roof terrace, they have recently added the restaurant Deco, which is dark and Wolseleyesque. I’m no food critic, but I know fine dining and Deco isn’t quite there yet. The restaurant is new and I get the impression that the menu and wine list is still finding its feet.
Who goes there:
If you stay in Es Vive you should like to party, but also know how to chill and relax in style. We’re not talking Hotel Ushuaia in terms of partying – Es Vive is far removed from that concept. Those crazy ‘all night, every night’ days for an Es Vive patron have mostly gone. ‘This is not a young person’s hotel anymore,’ comments Bull. ‘The evolution of Es Vive has been in line with clients’ needs.’
Bull, 43, is perhaps typical of an Es Vive client; now a family man who reveals that the days of rolling out of the Es Vive club at 8am every day have been replaced with walking into the hotel at 8am to check on the breakfast. He is that great mix of a person who understands that even though we are a little older, and apparently a bit more responsible, we still need to go crazy until the wee hours every now and then. He recognises that the emphasis on relaxation and recovery are perhaps overtaking the party image the hotel so famously traded on. The new addition of the peaceful roof terrace illustrates this.
Out & About:
Salinas Beach; the water is beautiful, the beach is surprisingly clean, family-friendly and there isn’t a hint of pounding house. I know I’m getting old when I want to chill at the beach rather than party. However, it’s commercial. You are constantly bombarded with people selling CDs (who buys CDs nowadays?), clothes, fruit, drinks etc. Annoying! And then you have the constant parade of PRs for the clubs. Again, slightly annoying. I personally found this beach too mainstream. Everyone knows the infamous Beniras, and that may be a good alternative for a beach find. My advice is hire a car, drive around the island and explore – there are so many cute beaches.
The Old Town is still beautiful and still old! As long as the Ibizians keep this authentic, it will always be a place I love to visit. To me the Old Town has always felt more Greek than Spanish. Think Lindos or Mykonos. You must check out La Cueva De Miro – a treasure chest of vintage delights.
Space is still an amazing venue. Personally, I prefer Pacha and to listen to a bit more funky, soulful house. But if you love Mr Carl Cox, and the harder stuff, then Space is still up there. We all miss the terrace, but que será, será!
The best thing:
The new roof terrace is a fabulous addition to the concept of Es Vive. Beautiful, peaceful and somewhere great to catch some rays and some much needed sleep! So if you don’t want to lie by the pool listening to the DJ, then escape to the roof for great views and a chilled vibe. They have plans for a bar, which, I agree, is needed. Personally, I loved having a spot in Es Vive with no music, particularly on the last day of my stay when I had the worst hangover ever after Space…
The worst thing:
Salinas Beach was too mainstream – the best thing to do is go exploring for your own spot. I am sworn to secrecy on one of the beaches I was shown by a local. If you really want to know then I will post the name of the beach on my website…
Details:
Plans for the future? ‘More of the same,’ quips Bull. ‘More investment into the hotel and to continue listening, understanding and maturing with our customers.’
