Dates you were there:
13th July - 24th July. I've been going to Ibiza annually since 2003, but now we have a 3 year old the main purpose of the holiday has changed! From 2003 - 2014 it was all about the clubbing/partying, 2015, 2016, 2017 more family orientated (with the exception of a few 3 days benders at other points in the year). The fortunate thing is we have traveled with friends who also have children meaning we can always squeeze in a couple of club nights - the girls going out for a couple of nights while we're on baby duties and vice versa.
Where you stayed (resort/hotel): Aparthotel Nereida, San Antonio Bay. As above, been coming here for years and given the majority of years have been for the parties, we've generally stayed in San Antonio or PDB. This is the first time that we've stayed as far round the Bay and to be absolutely honest, it didn't really feel like "Ibiza" to me for the first few days. Even when we've went back with the wee man, we've stayed in the Gran Sol in San An and been able to walk round the promenade, stopping in at some of the bars at the Marina for a beer, catching a pre-party somewhere and eating in places that we know and like. Staying as far round the Bay felt like we were starting again with no real knowledge of the area. Sometimes that can be a god thing as you can find new places and explore a bit, but it didn't feel to me that there was much here that would draw me back. Kumharas, was a 5 minute walk away which was good, however outwith that, there wasn't really much that interested us. The sheer number of "fun pubs" with the shitty ride on machines, trampolines and bouncy castles actually made me think we could have been in any other generic Spanish resort and not Ibiza - there was nothing unique in my view that made this part of the island stand out. Maybe just that I am too used to other areas.
The hotel itself was fine. Standard 3 star accommodation in terms of facilities. We had a one bedroom apartment which was good as it meant we had somewhere for the rugrat to sleep away from us. The one thing that this hotel has going for it is its location for the sunset. Stunning views every night and has a wee terrace that you can sit and enjoy a beer without the crowds of the sunset strip. There's also a boardwalk from the hotel down to the sea with a wee ladder to assist in getting on and out over the rocks.
Club nights visited:
Circo Loco (Monday 17th July)
Hadn't been to DC10 for a few years and the last few times I've been there it's been for the Closings, i.e. absolutely rammed. Given past experience, I was thinking we'd get there early, stay until it was uncomfortable then jump in a taxi. Never needed the early taxi - it was perfectly busy the entire night throughout the whole place. Arrived about 7pm and caught the last of Tania Vulcano in the Garden. Was quite quiet and her set never really done anything for me, maybe just a little to early in proceedings and not enough atmosphere. Doc Martin was on at 8, hadn't seen Doc Martin since he played Pressure at the Arches years ago. Really enjoyed his set, thought it was perfect for the time of day and the crowd had started to build up nicely without it being too busy. I wandered onto the Terrace just after 9pm to see what was happening in there - there were 3 people there (including me) - Shonky was on at 9:30 so had expected there to be at least a bit of a crowd, but nothing so back to the Garden. Stayed for the rest of Doc Martin then a wee bit of DJ Tennis, but then decided to head inside to the Terrace for Shonky. I'll be honest, it's about now that things get a little hazy due to some over indulgence. I remember bits and bobs of the next few hours but nothing specific - I just remember thinking to myself that the music was excellent. Saw bits of Shonky, most of Chloe's set than some of Margaret Dygas, flitted in and out of the Main Room to see Steve Rachmad and Serge Devant - all of whom were good (at least I think they were, it may have been my state of mind). Eventually settled in the Main Room just before 2am to see Ben Klock. I like most genres of electronic music, but Techno will always be number one for me and I wasn't disappointed with Ben Klock - it was relentless for 2 solid hours. I've seen him a few times and this was by far and away the best set of his I've heard. I remember going to the toilet and coming back into the room just as the bass kicked in on a track and my whole body vibrating. Loved every minute of his set. Stayed for a bit of Damian Lazarus but was starting to flag by this point. Eventually headed for a taxi about 4:30am, happy that I'd had one of the best DC10's ever.
Ants (Saturday 22nd July)
More daytime raving and the first time that I'd been to Ushuaia - it's not somewhere that I'd usually choose to go, but this was a bit of a compromise as one of the crowd we were with wasn't really into clubbing/techno. First up, I really enjoyed the day/night mostly because of the people I was with. Caught Yousef before Joris Voorn started at 9 then Andrea Olivia closing things off. Musically, it was nowhere near as good as DC10 (it was never going to be to be honest), but I still had a great night. All three were decent enough, but I don't know how I feel about the whole massive production, massive bar prices of Ushuaia. On the one hand, you know what you're getting yourself into when you go to a place like that, but at the same time there's always a feeling of everything being forced/staged and nothing about the atmosphere in the place being organic. That feeling was probably compounded because the other night I'd been to was Circo Loco and that would be what I was comparing it to, anyway I don't think I'll be back to the place, it just didn't feel right to me.
Best night: Circo Loco
Worst night: None
Best bar:
Drank in a few bars, mostly round in the Bay. Kumharas was the best - most others were generic holidsay bars that you could find anywhere else.
Where I love going for a beer is round at the Aquarium. Water taxi over from San An, take the wee man in for a look round the fish, a dip in the sea to cool off and a few pints with the family watching the world go past in quiet surroundings
Best place to eat:
Best meal of this holiday was David's. A regular haunt when we're over and never had a bad meal in t he place.
Relish - San An Bay. Had a lunch here one day, was very nice. I had the mussels in white wine/garlic sauce, the Mrs had sauteed mushrooms on a toasted ciabatta. Both really nice. Tried to back on the Sunday for a meal, however didn't realise it was a Sunday Roast menu that was on and wasn't really up for that in 30 degree heat! Would definitely go back there to eat again though. Nice location as well looking out over the bay to San An.
Also went for a sunset meal at Savannah. Food was nothing special but the night was excellent, again due to the people we were with. Reason I mention this is to have another moan. We were on a minimum spend because the table was at the front, which was fine as we would have reached the limit anyway. But from where we were sitting you could hear the music from both Cafe Del Mar and Savannah. It was annoying as f***, and there were at least ten other tables who must have been in a the same position.
Money spent: £1900 for the three of us via Jet2 holidays. That was for half board plus and return flights from Glasgow. Spent about £2000 over 11 nights.
Biggest regret: Not going to Music On instead of Ants - maybe regret is the wrong word, but it's something I would change in hindsight.
Going back?: Absolutely - will be back every year. People keep saying to me that you're getting too old for Ibiza. Every time I ask if they've ever been, 99% of the time they say no. Everyone who posts on here knows the score, there's something for everyone whether it's partying or family time (or both). Why would I want to go anywhere else and then be comparing it to what I could be doing if I was in Ibiza?
Top tip: Read Ibiza Spotlight for info before you travel. Special mention to
@stivi and the rest of the Spotlight staff for the proactive approach when it comes to drug safety. I know for a fact that the advice contained in the dedicated thread helped keep people safe and have a great night. I just wish more would have the same common sense approach and get information out there rather than ignore it, education really is key to keeping people safe.