‘Expect the unexpected’ feels like the perfect motto for the newly rebranded hottest hotel in town – The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel. Formerly known as The Tower at the iconic Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel has undergone an incredible transformation Our travel writer, Emma Harrison, had the privilege to attend the grand reopening last week, which also doubled as the European launch of Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. The night didn’t end there – it wrapped up with an unforgettable time at the Ushuaïa club, dancing until dawn!
The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel prides itself on offering an intoxicating fusion of signature gourmet experiences, world-class design, and unforgettable entertainment, so this was set to be an awesome way to experience Ibiza as a complete newbie!
Experience Luxury at The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel
Where Design Meets World-Class Entertainment
The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel redefines luxury hospitality with its bold fusion of avant-garde design, exceptional dining experiences, and unparalleled entertainment. Located in the heart of Platja d’en Bossa, this iconic destination seamlessly blends extravagant aesthetics with world-class service. From the distinctive red hummingbird logo to the flower-adorned pristine white walls, every detail embodies the unexpected spirit that makes this hotel truly unforgettable.
Whether you’re indulging in poolside dining at the Oyster & Caviar Bar, experiencing Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, or enjoying the avant-garde Minami Japanese Restaurant, The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel delivers exceptional gastronomic adventures. With six distinct room types including the lavish Anything Can Happen suite, guests enjoy breathtaking views of the Ushuaia stage and Mediterranean Sea. The hotel’s automatic club access, signature red and black interiors, and immersive entertainment create an unforgettable Ibiza experience.
Discovering Ibiza for the first time
Shockingly, I have never been to Ibiza before. During my travels with House of Coco, I have been lucky enough to travel the world, but the ‘White Isle’ has eluded me…until now. As someone who is more into indie and rock music, I never had the inclination to visit Ibiza, but an opportunity to stay at one of the hottest hotels on the island was more than enough for me to pack my bags and say ‘Adios’ to the UK.
Clubbing in Ibiza
Could Ibiza bring out the dancer in me, and would I find a new affinity with house music? After all, the famous Platja d’en Bossa (where The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel is located) is synonymous with some great clubs, such as Hi Ibiza and Swag Ibiza, and its central location means that the hotel is a short drive away from the Old Town, home to some of the best nightclubs on the island like the world-famous Pacha and Chinois Ibiza.
Introducing the Unexpected Ibiza Hotel
After a short ride from the airport, I arrived at The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel and was immediately struck by how iconic and decorative it looks from the outside. The hotel’s logo with its distinctive red hummingbird is emblazoned on the side of the building surrounded by a mural of brightly-coloured flowers that decorate the pristine white walls of the building.
The red carpet that leads up to the hotel entrance effortlessly marries up with the red and black interior of the expansive lobby. One of the most intriguing areas of the lobby was a tarot reading area. For me, this was a huge tick as I read tarot cards. With a backdrop of colourful flowers, this area was 100% on-brand with its red, curved tub chairs and retro-looking table.
The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel’s design credentials
Red and black are ubiquitous throughout the hotel and can be found throughout the 181 luxurious rooms to varying degrees. There are six different room types including the ‘Fashion Victim’ room with its flamboyant decor which includes a circular bed and the ‘Don’t be Shy’ room which comes with its own terrace to chill out on.
Anything can happen…in Ibiza!
I was lucky enough to be given one of the best rooms in the hotel – the ‘Anything Can Happen’ suite which afforded me amazing and far-reaching views of both the Ushuaïa stage, the swimming pool, and the sea. What more could I ask for?! My room key was a RFID wristband which was both a novelty and a pretty easy way of accessing my suite.
The ‘Anything Can Happen’ suite is expansive, stylish, and has everything you need to enjoy your downtime in Ibiza. From relaxing in the hot tub on the balcony while soaking up the Ushuaïa vibe to a bluetooth speaker so you can listen to music when the DJ’s are off duty, every detail from the large bed and the rainfall shower to the Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel bathrobes and the thoughtful welcome toiletries bag were all hugely appreciated.
Minami Restaurant
I eschewed the dancing on the first night and instead joined my fellow journalists who had travelled from the USA, Dubai, Germany and more at one of the hotel’s five main restaurants – the avant-garde Minami which means ‘south’ in Japanese. A bold blend of East and West, the Minami is located by the lobby of the neighbouring Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel. With its dark tones and its striking contemporary art, the food is more than a match for its decadent decor.
From a much-needed pineapple martini to the delicately-created sushi and sashimi, the gastronomy of the Minami Japanese Restaurant creatively explores the relationship between Japanese techniques and flavours and the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. As a coeliac, the restaurant went to great efforts to ensure that all my dishes were gluten free.
An immersive experience
On the way back to the hotel, I took advantage of walking through the immersive Ushuaïa arch which was 100% Instagram-worthy. Of course, there are several iconic landmarks both within The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel and its surrounding areas that had me snapping away! From the trio of outdoor pools with a sun lounger-dappled terrace to the intricate beach swing, The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel is certainly not minimalist in any way – it’s bold, extravagant, and doesn’t do things by halves.
Eating at The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel
As well as attending the grand launch of Gordon Ramsay’s new European flagship restaurant ‘Hell’s Kitchen’, The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel is also renowned for its other fantastic restaurants which we had an opportunity to try throughout our stay.
For breakfast, guests can opt for the healthy/hangover recovery spot – the Antïdote Recharge Station which has a short but sweet menu which allows you to recover the day after the night before. Service can be a little slow, but the food includes poke bowls, detox salads – and if you are desperate for some carbs, I would highly recommend the ‘Rebel’ sandwich, which has an anti-‘antidote’ collection of ingredients such as bacon, cheese, and egg. Not the healthiest choice, but totally worth it!
The buffet of dreams
For those that want to take their indulgence one step further, make sure you book in for the unforgettable buffet breakfast at the beach which frankly made me feel like Charlie from ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. This is a buffet on steroids – from omelettes and ice creams to smoothies and cold cuts, everything you think you might need (and everything you never thought would be in a breakfast buffet) is included here.
Top tip, take your sweet time – this buffet is not for the faint-hearted – it’s like the Tardis of hotel buffets, so be sure to explore right to the back of the buffet area.
For elegant poolside dining, the Oyster & Caviar Bar does what it says on the tin, but it also offers up so much more. Guests are treated to sharing platters of oysters, then can choose from a wide range of dishes such as seafood, meat – all dietary requirements can be catered for.
Party time at The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel
One of the main events of my Ibiza trip was attending the inauguration of The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel. We were promised that this would be both an unexpected and an unforgettable experience and, boy, did this ring true!
Guests glided through the red entrance which was a spherical ball with a dancer perched on top and were met by various intriguing design details such as an expansive wine cabinet with hundreds of red wines scattered throughout, a confession box, and a circular bed with the instruction ‘Don’t jump on the bed’ perched by the side of the pool.
A perfect photo opportunity – guests were encouraged to don one of the official Unexpected Ibiza Hotel bathrobes and either jump or pose on the bed for the ultimate bed selfie which was elevated by the ceiling mirror – certainly made for a mesmerising shot!
Entertainment at the launch party
My expectations (based on my stay at the hotel thus far) were high, but the party was next level when it came to serving up some unforgettable moments at the launch event.
As well as some talented DJ’s playing some killer tunes, there was also a drummer playing a drum kit in the middle of the swimming pool, tarot readings, a confession box for those who wanted to unburden themselves, and some daring sky dancers who scaled the side of the building looking elegant undertaking such a tricky task.
We were treated to glasses of champagne, test tubes filled with cocktails, and a monumental selection of food which included sushi, oysters, and more.
Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen launch
Showcasing the most iconic and celebrated dishes from Gordon Ramsay’s renowned restaurants around the globe, the official launch of ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ was one of the highlights of my Ibiza experience. It’s easy to see why Gordon and his team chose The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel for his first Hell’s Kitchen in Europe. The style credentials were off the chart, from entering the restaurant where guests walk through a mirrored tunnel of red and blue lights through to the elegant eatery.
The tasting menu showcased some of Gordon’s most celebrated dishes that were accompanied by Moët & Chandon champagne which included an opportunity to try some of the Pharrell Williams’ collection which definitely made us all ‘Happy!’.
Throughout the tasting menu, guests were able to try delicacies such as seared scallops (which were some of the best I have ever tasted), a lobster risotto, and beef wellington (which, sadly, I wasn’t able to try due to its gluten content). Every single dish was exquisite with the serving team providing an impeccable service.
Clubbing in Ibiza at Ushuaïa
Guests at The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel automatically gain entrance to one of the region’s most famous and revered clubs – Ushuaïa. Despite having a pretty stellar view from my suite, after dining at Hell’s Kitchen, I made my way to join the other party-goers from the VIP area.
This club stands as a true institution, boasting a summer residency lineup that reads like a who’s who of the global DJ elite. From its iconic poolside stage to the open-air dancefloor, what better way to introduce this rock ‘n’ roll girl to the world of Ibiza?!
DJ legend David Guetta is set to take up his residency at Ushuaïa, and the electrifying energy, spectacular light display, and danceable tunes will be elevated even further.
A lot of the tunes were instantly recognisable to me at Ushuaïa, despite being far from a dance music aficionado! What’s great about this Ibiza club is that everything is kept within the day – with revellers starting their partying around late afternoon and the event ends at 11pm when, of course, for those who wish to do so, can carry on tripping the light fantastic at one of the achingly-cool clubs nearby.
Ibiza, you were epic!
From the second I stepped into the sliding doors of The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel, I can honestly say that, true to form, the experience was outstanding. If you love design-led hotels with a hint of boujiness and decadence, it’s the perfect place to stay in Ibiza.
Whether you are into clubbing or caviar, The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel delivers on all levels. With the newly-opened Hell’s Kitchen, coupled with the start of the clubbing season – whether it’s your first visit to Ibiza or you are a seasoned pro – The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel will offer you an unforgettable and an unexpected Ibiza getaway!
Am I going to become a bona fide clubber back in the UK? Perhaps not, but what is guaranteed is that I have become a huge fan of both The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel as well as the beautiful island of Ibiza and will certainly make a return visit very soon!
The Unexpected Ibiza Hotel room rates:
Low season: Lead-in rates start from £300 per night on a room-only basis
High season: Lead-in rates start from £1,000 per night on a room-only basis
