from the ibiza sun:
Rural Tourism
As 2007 came to a close it was revealed that the rural hotel sector on the island had tripled over the last ten years. In 1997 there were just six establishments of this type in Ibiza. This figure has grown to 17 with a total of 286 available beds. It is a tourism which the Consell is extremely proud of and keen to promote, as it brings a far more affluent clientele to the island. However, the study recently published claimed the current powers that be needed to do more to encourage this type of tourism, seen by major hoteliers as far less profitable due to the reduced capacity of the establishments. The current legislation also demands a new rural hotel has at least 50,000 m2 of land.
The Observer newspaper, the sister paper of the Guardian, dedicated several pages in their travel section in late September to "agro-tourism" on the island. The article claimed "the beauty of Ibiza, an island that is only 50km by 20km, is that you can base yourself in an isolated hotel at the end of a dirt track and still be a short drive from clubs, fabulous restaurants and a vast choice of perfect coves." The author of the article, Iain Stewart, said the best time of year to visit the island was in late September, early October when the weather was still good and the island less crowded.
The top ten rural hotels selected by the writer were Can Pere, Can Xuxu, Can Talaias, Can Marti, Atzaro, Pikes, Can Guillem, D-Lite Yoga retreat (although this is not a hotel), es Xarc, and es Cucons.
