Tell us how it was - Ibiza 2024

Dates you were there:

Weds 2nd Oct-Sat 5th Oct

Where you stayed:

Hyde - Cala Llonga...

We booked early and ended up getting a really good rate. Hotel deffo suited the make-up of our group, and we wanted to try and base ourselves somewhere new...that side of the island suited as we had booked the trip around Sven closing at Akasha on Thursday. It was a little quiet mid week when we arrived but busier later...there were a few things that were running low and they didnt want to replace as hotel closing soon like draft beer but didnt effect us too much. Rooms were good, bed very comfy and air con good. Choice of 3 pools 1 was pretty loud but there was another on the Mondrian side that was quieter if you wanted that. Right on the beach too which is gorgeous. Breakfast was annoyingly expensive if you didnt book as part of your rate - 25per person per day if you booked, 40 if you just went ad-hoc...It is a higher end hotel so guess its never going to be cheap. Would go again if we could lock in a cheaper rate again. Also @stivi picks up hikes from there so deffo would like to take advantage of that next time.

Club nights visited:
Sven closing at Akasha.
Gozo @ Cova Santa with Paula Tape, Gabrielle Kwarteng and Marcel Dettmann

Best night:
Sven closing...this was my favourite Ibiza clubbing experience for years. Crowd was brilliant - on the older side and very mixed nationalities - lots of Belgian, German, Dutch, as well as Spanish, French and Brits. All very friendly. Music was on point and once you move inside, Akasha is a brilliant club. Great to see @stivi @W_I_C @Bucko08 @lee111s and a few others. I was absolutely flying for most of the night so sorry for bending a few ears off!

Cova Santa was also very good, didn't touch Sven though. First time at Cova Santa and was very impressed. Crowd was very different, - younger and a little more trendy/less friendly but still a nice crowd overall. Music was good - Paula Tape brilliant outside.

Worst night:
None

Best bar:
Didn't really drink in a bar - kept it to balcony drinks and lunches.

Best place to eat:
Chiringuito Pou D'es Lleo - posted on the restaurant thread. Tiny place, no reservations but the food was brilliant and it was excellent value. We had various dishes to share between 6, probably 4 starters, 4 mains, and then 3 bottles of wine, canas and affogatos. Came to 50 euros each.

Ate at Nun on Cala LLonga day after...was still nice, but double the price of the meal the day before, and food was not twice as good. Still a nice, long, boozy lunch though so can't complain.

Final meal was at Cala Bonita. Again we did lots of dishes to share to start and then a main each - everything was amazing, especially the fish. Service was friendly but they needed us out as they had a wedding later in the day but they didn't really rush us too much and they had already made that clear when we booked. Came to same price as the meal at Nun, but I'd say much better overall.

Best beach and/or beach club:
Cala LLonga beach was nice - didnt spend loads of time there, just a few swims here and there.

Money spent:
Lots, but no regrets.

Biggest regret:
Coming home

Going back?:
Next year we want to do something special to celebrate 10th wedding. Not arranged yet, but we'll be there.

Top tip:
Explore! Always try something new.

Observations and/or conclusion:
Best clubbing trip for a long time, just one of those trips where everything clicked and we all had such an amazing time. Ibiza will never die!
Nice review. I think we were introduced briefly in Akasha, ( Lee 111 / Bucko08) one of those nods, you alright..😂
 
Nice review. I think we were introduced briefly in Akasha, ( Lee 111 / Bucko08) one of those nods, you alright..😂
yes mate...sadly reading back through my review this all feels like a very long time ago now and memories of the night at Akasha are a little hazy to say the least, but lovely to meet you!
 
Hello from 2007 (when I first went).
Dates you were there: First week of August
Where you Stayed: Nautico Ebesso.
Club Nights visited: Went to Space, Amnesia, Pacha and DC10, cannot remember any DJ names
Best Night: Space was great but lots of people were moaning about the terrace being covered and how it "was so much better" etc.
Worst night: not one (or in 15 subsequent visits - although my partner having mumps one visit was a bit of a downer)
Best Bar: Amphora was trashy and fun. Bora Bora was brilliant.
Best Place to Eat: Went to a fancy restaurant by the beach called La Escollera. It was really nice but a bit pricey. Prefer tapas and beers in town.
Best Beach or Beach Club: Es Cavallet - Chiringay end. It's far enough away to avoid crowds and the seaweed seems to like the el Chiringuito end anyway so thats great! Went to Blue Marlin but I hardly drink and we had to buy alcohol which I didn't drink just to stand around a bed whilst people brush millimetres past. Didn't enjoy it.
Money Spent: I had a budget of £400. I don't know what my partner's budget was as this was pre bank-account-merger. I just about managed it but my partner decided after the first day that we will never sit on the sand again after dragging umbrella, towels, food and drinks all the way along es Cavallet beach. We didn't hire a car.
Biggest regret: That I didn't go to space when the bloody terrace was open air.
Going Back: Forever. Want to live there. Didn't see any spiders (a sadly decisive holiday criteria)
Observations and Conclusion: That walk is a bit harsh along es Cavallet beach. Loved it when we got there but then had to do it in the evening to a bus!!! Took the ferry from Figuerrettas beach to es Cavallet. I LOVE THIS. We did it a few times as it was cheap and direct. Can't believe there is salt water in the taps in clubs.

Dates you were there: 7th to 10th June and 25th to 30th September
Where you stayed: June: The Standard, September: Ibiza Gran
Club nights visited: Pacha, we staggered there from a sushi restaurant in our hotel across the road. DC10 (always)
Best Night: A friend is a chef at el Carnicero so we went there twice (once each visit). I love the dancers and cheesiness (and the steak was good).
Best Bar: Pikes of course; I'm not 19.
Best Night: Every night even though I stopped staying late at clubs.
Best place to eat: Nobu was fantastic. Cipriani was closed BOTH TIMES. The sushi restaurant in front of the Gran Hotel is nice but too many people streaming their best moment rather than living it.
Best beach club: Cant be bothered with duck-lipped women and shaved chest men getting poly-wasted everywhere. Keep thinking we should go to those two at the end of PDB but es Cavallet is so nice and the walk along the beach has become something I love, we don't manage to go. Picturing the walk can get my heartbeat down by 10 or 15 bpm when I am cooling down on the running machine at the gym. The upstairs pool at Gran Hotel is a very nice environment if you like prompt service.
Money Spent: A breathtaking amount. However we are two 6'3" men and so our holidays anywhere are predicated on finding somewhere with a super-king, or larger, bed and The Gran Hotel was a joy as the bed was the equivalent of a large Caesar (two small double beds pushed together). Nice meals are also expensive but then we don't spend hundreds, or anything, on alcohol. We tip heavily as a result because the staff depend on tips whilst everything on the island is so obscenely expensive, especially accommodation. We have lots of Argentinian friends that live in Ibiza; virtually every venue has Argies working there. My partner is Argentinian. Consequently we get into places, reserved parking spaces, side-doors quite a lot. Partner also speaks Catalan so that helps with the non-Argie locals.
Biggest regret: Going home / that I am not there still. We refuse to buy a place because we don't want to contribute to the housing crisis. So these days we stay in high end hotels (which I prefer as putting the bins out, shopping for cleaning stuff, arranging changeovers etc. and having a lockable cupboard for family items used on holiday is a chore and I hate doing it).
Going back: These days and in order to deal with my fixation, I come here, to Ibiza Spotlight, when the "why haven't we booked Ibiza for next summer" madness becomes too much. We tend to book a bit later in the year these days, even though it's usually more expensive.
Observations and conclusion: Where does everyone on here get the stamina to still go clubbing? I need to have a lie down once I get into clubs; all that breathing in all night to keep a flat tummy makes my back ache. The other observation is about hire cars. For years I was one of those people that wanted a bigger and bigger car each visit (on a tiny island). Those cars are very expensive (and completely pointless). Two years ago we decided finally to hire a cinquecento cabriolet as they are dirt cheap. What a revelation. We fit in quite easily and the roof retracts in seconds. Obviously day times are awful for having the roof down (but we, my partner and I, are semi-conscious on a sun lounger with mojitos most days). The drive back from the beach (I stop drinking just after lunch so I don't drink drive) and round the hills in the evening is just amazing. Why did I spend all those years wasting my money on silly cars? I am now getting rid of the huge black Chelsea tractor in London and getting an electric cinquecento cabrio - if they revive production - in Spring. I cannot wait; a bit of Ibiza every day. The thing I always notice about Ibiza is that everyone is happy to be there. You feel it the moment you get to the boarding queue. When I first see the island I always have to choke back a few tears, as I am right now. Just writing this is a lovely little trip to Ibiza.
 
Hello from 2007 (when I first went).
Dates you were there: First week of August
Where you Stayed: Nautico Ebesso.
Club Nights visited: Went to Space, Amnesia, Pacha and DC10, cannot remember any DJ names
Best Night: Space was great but lots of people were moaning about the terrace being covered and how it "was so much better" etc.
Worst night: not one (or in 15 subsequent visits - although my partner having mumps one visit was a bit of a downer)
Best Bar: Amphora was trashy and fun. Bora Bora was brilliant.
Best Place to Eat: Went to a fancy restaurant by the beach called La Escollera. It was really nice but a bit pricey. Prefer tapas and beers in town.
Best Beach or Beach Club: Es Cavallet - Chiringay end. It's far enough away to avoid crowds and the seaweed seems to like the el Chiringuito end anyway so thats great! Went to Blue Marlin but I hardly drink and we had to buy alcohol which I didn't drink just to stand around a bed whilst people brush millimetres past. Didn't enjoy it.
Money Spent: I had a budget of £400. I don't know what my partner's budget was as this was pre bank-account-merger. I just about managed it but my partner decided after the first day that we will never sit on the sand again after dragging umbrella, towels, food and drinks all the way along es Cavallet beach. We didn't hire a car.
Biggest regret: That I didn't go to space when the bloody terrace was open air.
Going Back: Forever. Want to live there. Didn't see any spiders (a sadly decisive holiday criteria)
Observations and Conclusion: That walk is a bit harsh along es Cavallet beach. Loved it when we got there but then had to do it in the evening to a bus!!! Took the ferry from Figuerrettas beach to es Cavallet. I LOVE THIS. We did it a few times as it was cheap and direct. Can't believe there is salt water in the taps in clubs.

Dates you were there: 7th to 10th June and 25th to 30th September
Where you stayed: June: The Standard, September: Ibiza Gran
Club nights visited: Pacha, we staggered there from a sushi restaurant in our hotel across the road. DC10 (always)
Best Night: A friend is a chef at el Carnicero so we went there twice (once each visit). I love the dancers and cheesiness (and the steak was good).
Best Bar: Pikes of course; I'm not 19.
Best Night: Every night even though I stopped staying late at clubs.
Best place to eat: Nobu was fantastic. Cipriani was closed BOTH TIMES. The sushi restaurant in front of the Gran Hotel is nice but too many people streaming their best moment rather than living it.
Best beach club: Cant be bothered with duck-lipped women and shaved chest men getting poly-wasted everywhere. Keep thinking we should go to those two at the end of PDB but es Cavallet is so nice and the walk along the beach has become something I love, we don't manage to go. Picturing the walk can get my heartbeat down by 10 or 15 bpm when I am cooling down on the running machine at the gym. The upstairs pool at Gran Hotel is a very nice environment if you like prompt service.
Money Spent: A breathtaking amount. However we are two 6'3" men and so our holidays anywhere are predicated on finding somewhere with a super-king, or larger, bed and The Gran Hotel was a joy as the bed was the equivalent of a large Caesar (two small double beds pushed together). Nice meals are also expensive but then we don't spend hundreds, or anything, on alcohol. We tip heavily as a result because the staff depend on tips whilst everything on the island is so obscenely expensive, especially accommodation. We have lots of Argentinian friends that live in Ibiza; virtually every venue has Argies working there. My partner is Argentinian. Consequently we get into places, reserved parking spaces, side-doors quite a lot. Partner also speaks Catalan so that helps with the non-Argie locals.
Biggest regret: Going home / that I am not there still. We refuse to buy a place because we don't want to contribute to the housing crisis. So these days we stay in high end hotels (which I prefer as putting the bins out, shopping for cleaning stuff, arranging changeovers etc. and having a lockable cupboard for family items used on holiday is a chore and I hate doing it).
Going back: These days and in order to deal with my fixation, I come here, to Ibiza Spotlight, when the "why haven't we booked Ibiza for next summer" madness becomes too much. We tend to book a bit later in the year these days, even though it's usually more expensive.
Observations and conclusion: Where does everyone on here get the stamina to still go clubbing? I need to have a lie down once I get into clubs; all that breathing in all night to keep a flat tummy makes my back ache. The other observation is about hire cars. For years I was one of those people that wanted a bigger and bigger car each visit (on a tiny island). Those cars are very expensive (and completely pointless). Two years ago we decided finally to hire a cinquecento cabriolet as they are dirt cheap. What a revelation. We fit in quite easily and the roof retracts in seconds. Obviously day times are awful for having the roof down (but we, my partner and I, are semi-conscious on a sun lounger with mojitos most days). The drive back from the beach (I stop drinking just after lunch so I don't drink drive) and round the hills in the evening is just amazing. Why did I spend all those years wasting my money on silly cars? I am now getting rid of the huge black Chelsea tractor in London and getting an electric cinquecento cabrio - if they revive production - in Spring. I cannot wait; a bit of Ibiza every day. The thing I always notice about Ibiza is that everyone is happy to be there. You feel it the moment you get to the boarding queue. When I first see the island I always have to choke back a few tears, as I am right now. Just writing this is a lovely little trip to Ibiza.

I like your 'then and now' approach. Would be interesting to read other reviews like that. I've certainly noticed reviews evolve over the years. In the past there was a much bigger emphasis on the mad shit people got up to, whereas now it often feels like holidaymakers describing another weekend break for TripAdvisor, and maybe that's a reflection of where things are heading?
 
i went from 15 to 22 october on a £32 ryanair from liverpool and stayed in the mil's studio in cala de bou. apart from a quick trip over the water to eat at bar benitez, and a look round the shops in ibiza, i never ventured more than 15 minutes walk from base. playa pinet every day, local bars every night. plan relax!
best bar - my local of 35 years, the kiosko!
best restaurant - why not (in the playa bella complex)
going back? yes, to renovate the studio so we can use it more often.
ste's snaps
 
I like your 'then and now' approach. Would be interesting to read other reviews like that. I've certainly noticed reviews evolve over the years. In the past there was a much bigger emphasis on the mad shit people got up to, whereas now it often feels like holidaymakers describing another weekend break for TripAdvisor, and maybe that's a reflection of where things are heading?
I'm guessing the forum demographic is ageing too. The kids are all on TikFaceSnap, I've heard.
 
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