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“Ibiza”, you say? While there’s been many a magical trip to this special island, sometimes you’re looking for a holiday without another tequila shot, another sunrise cab ride home, and another bassline vibrating through your chest. Thankfully, the White Isle has always been more than superclubs and sunset sessions. On the island’s east coast, in the laid-back town of Santa Eulària des Riu, there’s much to be discovered.
There are countless options for accommodation but the W Ibiza (a Marriott hotel) offers a version of the island that feels effortlessly cool rather than relentlessly energetic. There’s still plenty of style – this is a W hotel, after all – but it’s balanced with a slower rhythm that makes it just as easy to spend a day doing very little as it is venturing out to explore. Whether you’re recovering from a few nights on the dance floor or skipping the clubs altogether, this is the kind of stay that reminds you Ibiza doesn’t always have to be loud.
Check in, switch off
While San Antonio and Playa d’en Bossa continue to draw the party crowds, Santa Eulària has carved out a reputation as Ibiza’s more refined, relaxed neighbour. The pace slows almost instantly. Families wander the promenade, couples lounge over long lunches, and the soundtrack becomes waves rather than warehouse beats.
W Ibiza fits seamlessly into that atmosphere. Bright, playful interiors, through the vision of Baranowitz + Kronenberg, nod to the island’s bohemian heritage without feeling cliché, while the majority of rooms secure a stunning sea view (across from the pool). It’s unmistakably a W hotel – bold design, great music, great service – but without the constant feeling that you should be heading to the next party (unless you wish!)
Pick your pool
The heart of the hotel is undoubtedly the WET Deck, where spacious loungers and cabanas surround a sparkling pool just footsteps from the ocean. It’s lively enough to feel social, but never so busy that you’ll struggle to hear your own conversation. DJs provide an easy-going soundtrack throughout the afternoon, cocktails arrive ice cold, pizza comes at your own personal request, and there’s little pressure to do anything other than order another drink and stay put.
The pool bar keeps things suitably summery with frozen margaritas, spritzes, fresh juices, and a range of Mediterranean plates and snacks that are ideal between dips.
If even that feels too energetic, head upstairs. The adults-only rooftop pool is one of the hotel’s biggest selling points. Smaller, quieter, and elevated above the coastline, it’s where you’ll find uninterrupted sea views, cushioned daybeds, and a noticeably calmer atmosphere. You’ll feel in a completely secluded part of the island (as if Santa E didn’t offer that already) where hours disappear between chapters of a book and another perfectly chilled glass of rosé.
As daylight fades, the rooftop transforms once again. Glow, the hotel’s rooftop bar, feels worlds away from Ibiza’s packed sunset venues. Here, cocktails are expertly mixed, music stays firmly in the background, and the focus remains on the view stretching across Santa Eulària Bay. It’s exactly the sort of place where one drink effortlessly becomes three.
Wellness whenever you want it
One of W Ibiza’s biggest strengths is that relaxation feels incredibly easy. Start the morning in FIT, the hotel’s sleek gym, with the option to book yourself into the Away Spa for a massage or manicure if your body is still recovering from those Ibiza dance floors and requires a little assistance slipping fully into holiday mode.
If you’re heading out for dinner or drinks later, there’s even the option to squeeze in a quick hair appointment before the evening begins. It’s one of those small luxuries that somehow makes the whole holiday feel a little more effortless.
Breakfast worth waking up for
Some hotel breakfasts become an obligation. This one becomes part of the day’s itinerary. W Ibiza shies away from the standard buffet, which can feel extensive and overwhelming at times; instead offering an a la carte menu which can be ordered in abundance, should you wish.
Choose from flaky pastries, a classic fried breakfast – or opt for something a little more local, with a selection of Spanish cheeses, cured meats and a DIY pan con tomate setup.
For dinner, STEPS is the hotel’s beachfront restaurant, which takes its cues from the Mediterranean. Serving generous plates designed for sharing, from grilled seafood and steak to colourful salads and fresh flatbreads. Lose track of time over a bottle of crisp white wine (or their popular sangria) as the last of the evening sun fades over the bay – relaxed, unfussy, and exactly the sort of meal that suits Santa Eulària’s slower pace.
Exploring Santa Eulària
One of the joys of staying here is that you don’t need to venture far. A gentle stroll along the palm-lined beachfront promenade brings you to family-run restaurants and relaxed bars overlooking the water. If you’re craving proper Spanish comfort food, make your way to Lagom, where generous pans of seafood paella are best enjoyed slowly with a pitcher of freshly-mixed sangria.
The marina is equally pleasant for an evening wander, lined with boutiques, cafés, and people watching that somehow never gets old. There’s many a jewellery stand which will attract any keen magpie’s attention as you stroll en route to a bar for a little night cap.
Should the urge for a beach club strike, Nikki Beach Ibiza is only around a 15-minute drive away. It delivers the polished beach-club experience Ibiza is famous for – stylish daybeds, DJs, Champagne, and excellent food – but with a noticeably more sophisticated atmosphere than the island’s bigger daytime party venues. You still get the soundtrack and glamour, just without feeling like you’ve accidentally wandered into a festival. Top tips from us: order the crab salad and the sushi platters to pick at while you lounge on your beach bed, sipping rosé all day.
The island is known for its bohemian roots, and Punta Arabí Hippy Market in nearby Es Canar offers a more authentic glimpse into these. Home to hundreds of stalls selling handcrafted jewellery, artwork, clothing, leather goods, and local produce, accompanied by live music and an easy-going atmosphere, it’s a welcome world away from the island’s nightclub scene.
Is this Ibiza reimagined?
For years, Ibiza’s quieter corners have existed in the shadow of its legendary nightlife. W Ibiza makes a compelling argument that they deserve just as much attention.
Here, the luxury isn’t found in exclusivity or excess – it’s in the choice of spending the day moving between two beautiful pools, enjoying an indulgent breakfast, fitting in a spa treatment, sipping cocktails overlooking the sea, wandering into town for one of the island’s best paellas, or simply do absolutely nothing at all.
Rooms available from: €385 euros per night, including breakfast, marriott.com
Flying from T5? Stop off at Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food (gordonramsayrestaurants.com) – a welcome step up from the usual airport dining, the restaurant serves everything from hearty breakfasts to classic British dishes and lighter bites. Going well beyond the standard grab-and-go options, Plane Food brings together several of Ramsay’s best-known concepts under one roof, so you can tailor your pre-flight meal to whatever mood you’re in.
For something lighter, Lucky Cat Sushi is the standout choice, serving beautifully prepared sushi, sashimi, and Japanese-inspired small plates that feel a world away from your classic Pret sandwich. If comfort food is calling, Street Pizza delivers freshly baked pizzas, with classic toppings, while Street Burger is equally tempting if you fancy juicy burgers, loaded fries, and indulgent milkshakes that make it dangerously easy to forget you’re about to get on a plane.
Whether you’re easing into a holiday over a leisurely meal or grabbing a final glass of wine before boarding, the relaxed atmosphere and reliably good food make it one of the terminal’s best places to start your trip.
