Ibiza

For generations Ibiza has captivated the hedonist imagination. It has been a magnet for hippies, clubbers, DJs, European sun-seekers and increasingly, the rich. Our small Balearic island situated in the Spanish Med enjoys a well-deserved reputation as an epic-enter of global Bohemian life. Yet change is afoot with newly developed chic and quiet boutique 200 year old Ibicencan farms, restaurants to rival St. Tropez's, secret turquoise water coves and, lets face it, the best summer nightlife in the world. This fast moving sensibility is reinventing the very idea of Ibiza - finally morphing into something a little less frenetic, more sustainable and all around genuine fun.

arrivals

Rampant over-development in the last twenty years across Spain has resulted in a host of infrastructure amenities that have eroded the natural vibe of a few parts of Ibiza, but nonetheless made it an easy place to visit and consume.

Arrivals at the well-designed, modern Ibiza Airport (IBZ) are a breeze, and its just a short ride into Ibiza town, which features the walled fortress village of Dalt Vila perched above a nice marina. Traffic can sometimes be an issue and the pressure of high season tourism mean that taxis can be a lot of effort, so its best to rent a car and use it as an escape mechanism to the beautiful, less visited parts of the island in the north and southwest. Try BK Rentals which offers the best rates and easy bookings through Do You Spain a website that makes car rentals an unusual cinch. Of course all the big names in automobile hire are available there as well. Should you be on one of the many flights that arrive at the ungodly but common hour of 3am, be sure to inform your rental car company of your flight arrival time so they wait up for you, otherwise you'll end up taking that taxi anyway. Remarkably there are lots at the airport at that hour. If you need a private driver, our man Antonio can be pre-booked on +34 6 7006 7888.

where to stay

Avoid the western town of San Antonio at all costs (site of the world famous Cafe del Mar and Mambo Cafe) as it features completely the wrong type of crowd, scenery and accommodation. In Ibiza town on the east side, the five star Ibiza Gran offers easy access to many restaurants and clubs. They are a good option if you are just there to sample the nightlife and the Ibiza Gran has a great pool scene that becomes alive and flooded with beautiful people sometime after 3 in the afternoon. If the huge chaises-longues in the pool are all taken, no worries, I m sure someone will share! Es Vive, a European rock-n-roll favourite, is more nightclub than hotel and a fun option for those who don't plan to sleep at night. Smirnoff's weekly Saturday nights kickoff June 13th in Es Vive's 'Fierce Angel' Bar with resident DJ Ben Santiago on the decks from 11pm.

Hub Culture's favourite choice for the summer in town is the hot new Ocean Drive Hotel. Re-opening with sleek decor and a sassy attitude, it is a favourite resting pad among the big DJs and industry entourage. You won't get more hip than this. It has also just been nominated as one of the top four boutique hotels on Ibiza by White Ibiza, the 'Essential Guide to Ibiza.' Ocean Drive boasts the white sands of Talamanca Beach right out its back door and a hot roof terrace with lounge, bar and wifi for those of us who actually might need to get something done while tanning. Ocean Drive's roof terrace is dedicated entirely to Hub Culture's new Ibiza town Pavilion for the 2009 season. Stunning views of the Ibiza Marina and fortress, superb central location right at the end of Playa Talamanca and valet services to cater for all your needs, this just might be your power answer for ultimate place to stay! *N.B.: Complimentary beach shuttle to Ocean Drive's Beach Club, Guarana (Ses Salinas) from Ocean Drive. Book Ocean Drive through White Ibiza and receive a 15% re-opening discount and a complimentary bottle of Champagne to kick off your stay.

For a more rustic cultural experience, try getting out to a private villa in the surrounding hills, or head to the smaller boutique estates and cool converted agroturismo fincas in the north. These are true rural tranquil hideaways tucked up in the hills amongst the orange and olive groves where you will unwind the second you arrive. Up in the hills by Sant Llorenc is Ibiza's star luxury finca, Atzaro. It is described as Zensational with a beautiful pool, loungy daybeds with flowy white curtains set in fruit orchards way away from the madening crowd. Idyllic for snoozing after your delectable spa massage or that very late night. The restaurant is fantastic and every evening is lively with music, an art vernissage or a fashionshow; hard to beat as the 'it' place to stay. Definitely book dinner though if you'd rather stay closer to the beach.

We also love Ca n'Escandel and Can Lluc. Ibiza really has outdone itself with exquisite re-architecturing of centuries old grove farms. Chic, tranquil, simple and luxurious at the same time, we think these agroturismos are the way to go. From the bustle of the beach and the hustle of the nightlife you really appreciate waking up in peaceful fragrant almond groves! Ca n'Escandel is one our favourite organic island getaways. Tucked in the hills near San Joan, this 200 year-old white-washed, wood ceilinged Ibicencan farm is a unique rural delight. Can Lluc, situated in an oasis of olive groves and umbrella pines is simply beautiful. The expansive landscaped gardens surrounding a stunning swimming pool beckon a well deserved retreat and the stone walls and palm trees of this idyllic place are a true Mediterranean dream. Check out some of the other agroturismos on the island for a greater choice.

vamos a la playa!

Ibiza is largely known for its two chicest beaches, Sa Trinxa and Ses Salinas. Both are packed all summer long, and a host of beach clubs and 'chiringuitas', the local beach bar caf s, offer full service menus, sun loungers and activities for the intrepid onlooker. Sa Trinxa offers slightly better people watching. Ocean Drive's Beach Club is at Santa Eulalia's Salinas Guarana Beach Club. Situated in the heart of the Ses Salinas natural park, Guarana has an idyllic sandy beach stretch kitted out with sun loungers and a great restaurant for long lazy lunches. Evenings are happening at Guarana too with events, live bands and DJs varying throughout the week. Check here for the roster of events. An island minibus exclusively scheduled to take members from the Ocean Drive Hotel in Ibiza Town Marina to and from Guarana is super convenient and of course free of charge.

On the west coast Cap la Bassa and Cala Salada at Punta Galera are great beaches, and the white sand at Cala Salada and shallow turquoise waters at Cala Conta are locally known as some of the best on the island.

In the north, Benirras offers a stunning view and acceptable sand in a secluded cove surrounded by green lands protected from development. Farther north, near Portinatx, are a series of small beach coves featuring umbrella pines and clear turquoise waters for fantastic snorkeling and fun chiringuitas to hang out in at lunch and stay until sunset. The moto here is: Chill out.

One of these secluded coves includes Hub Culture's 'Secret Beach', an idyllic isolated location with access as part of a suite of scheduled activities in Hub Culture's summer 2009 Residency in Ibiza. Secret Beach and The Residency run from July 1st through September s closing parties with a number of local partners, exclusive and featured signature weekends, torch lit private beach dinners and exclusive access to VIP events around the island arrangeable through our valets.

Beach 'hopping' is also popular and accessible with an afternoon or day boat rental, a popular pass-time and especially fun with a small group of friends. Pack a few bottles of wine and a pic-nic lunch and drop anchor in a secluded cove of turquoise water for a delectable afternoon floating away with your snorkel and the fishes below. Boats are abundant in all shapes and sizes and easily bookable at Ibiza town or Santa Eulalia Marinas or through one of our Valets.

Some might love the seclusion of Ibiza's northwest, but there will be those of you who need a bit more structure and service beachside, which is why Hub Culture has partnered with Sands to host the summer 2009 Hub Culture Pavilion Beach Residency. Sands is the much talked about brand bew and very cool palm covered chiringuita very conveniently located at the upscale end of Platja den Bossa near town and near everything. The Pavilion Residency at Sands makes it distinctly easy for you to beach, lounge, Wifi and work all at the same time, or in doses as needed. Already locals and hip holidayers come to Sands for the scene, but at any time, you'll find those 'remote office' workers busy on their laptops under a beach umbrella working their projects while working their tans. It is a great alternative to the stuffy office back home, and a great place to network and meet especially if your villa doesn't have Wifi. The signature valet services offered in the London Pavilion will be available to members throughout the season. Hub Culture also recommends the Sands Restaurant for a delicious lunch solo or en groupe.

restaurants & the social scene

Daytime lunches are best at the beach at the fun local chiringuitas or beach clubs. Even the secluded beaches have great little chiringuitas with good local seafood, specialty Ibicencan dishes and friendly service in cute rustic surroundings. Take your own towels and sun umbrellas here though, its not ritzy but its also not 'cafeteria'.

Ibiza has no shortages on the chic food scene. Beach goers like to eat at Tropicana Cafe and then bump down to the Blue Marlin for the sundowner social scene and dinner. The Macao Caf Group offers locations around the island but has recently featured their beach club, Macao Caf on The Rocks a funky place on Playa es Codolar near the Blue Marlin a ways southwest of the airport. Order the ceviche, it s some of the best on the island!

Casa Colonial, El Ayoun and Bambuddha Grove are all good locations for a sultry evening dinner. Casa Colonial, set in an exotic garden serves excellent Spanish food. El Ayoun, just above Santa Eulalia is an Arabian nights dream and the mezze and lamb tagines are delicious. Bambuddha Grove celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer so you can be sure those Moonlight Lounge Pagodas will be alive with MediterrAsian delicacies and festivities. Try the Karmapirinhas at their Siam Bar. Near Sant Josep is the Hotel du Nord, run by the couple behind the famous lounge by the same name in Paris. Sexy french food is the name of the game here while you lounge on beds and watch the beautiful people stroll by to the bar. Beds for lounging only, contrary to what its namesake suggests. Ibiza being an island you can imagine the fresh fish! For delicious sushi and a really cool loungy cum tropical atmosphere go to B.For, dreamchild of Planet Sushi - its a perfect choice for dinner (or even just for meeting up) being a two minute walk from the Ibiza Gran and your later evening plans at Pacha. Pacha's new outdoor sushi terrace is also a great choice. You know you'll get some great grooves over dinner. Last of our favourites but not least, Aura's new bar is r.o.c.k.i.n.g. Evocative and luxurious, you are captivated the moment you walk through the doors of this unique lounge, bar and restaurant. The perfect hues to compliment the glow of the rising and setting sun, Aura's atmosphere is ideal for lounging on large cushions and enjoying delicious tapas while sinking into the luxurious round sofa-beds on the terrace.

later

New clubland laws have had a big effect on the Ibiza after hours scene with new closing regulations that reduced the 24 hour club cycle turning out a bizarre 7am rush hour as clubs pour avid dancers out in to the morning light. The clubs have become very bottle-service and VIP oriented, financially shutting out people who really just want to enjoy the incredible music Ibiza has to offer. But a new trend has taken the island by storm to cushion the sunrise impact and if you re lucky you ll find yourself at a private villa over looking the cliffs and the Med watching the sun rise, your same DJ spinning his decks next to the pool.

Pacha, Space, Privilege and KM5 are four of Ibiza's biggest and best clubs. Pacha and KM5 have sexy dining, as well as several bar areas and clubbing. Space, Priviledge, Cocoon and Eden are the hard core dance clubs. DJ King Pete Tong returns to host Wonderland for a second year in Ibiza, following a bold move last year to Eden "to encourage bringing back the music" to the center of the Ibiza scene while DJ David Guetta's F*** Me, I m Famous still rocks the house at Pacha on Thursdays. Rob Marmot, another top DJ who performs with Pete, will spin weekly at Wonderland. Don't miss Sven V th, the hot thing on the scene, spinning every Monday night for the tenth year running at Amnesia at Cocoon. Competing for the crowd with Sven Monday nights at the celebrated and enormous Priviledge is Tiesto, the DJ world's closest thing to a rock star. Not one to take half measures, the Tiesto experience has taken the production elements of clubbing in Ibiza to new levels, with tens of thousands of euros spent on each event to ensure there is something just a little bit special about this relative newcomer to the Ibiza clubbing calendar. Tiesto's album In Search of Sunrise last year rocked the scene and its mesmorizing beats were heard playing at private pool parties and out of car windows alike. While Espuma at Amnesia's foam party is a force to be reckoned with, avoid the floor at Espuma on Sundays and instead watch from on high in the VIP section across from the DJs where you can view the foam madness but don t have to get soaked in it. It is quite a sight! Paul Van Dyke s spinning is legendary.

fashion ibiza style

Italian designer Barbara Boner and Ibiza IT-girl Sasha Moon introduce their new fashion and art concept space, The Virgen Market in Calle de la Virgen, Sa Penya. The area long known to fashionistas is emerging with a major style revival. A bright and airy loft space filled with gorgeous international brands such as Diane von Furstenberg fuse with a mix of exclusive treasures from the individual collections of the store's proprietors. The downstairs 'Art Box' features as a constantly evolving gallery playing host to cutting edge contemporary and urban work by well-known international artists as well as new-comers.

Kurru Kurru's divine collections make no attempt at being part of a trend. At Kurru Kurru there are no rules. Each Kurru Kurru piece is designed for the sexy, independent woman that values femininity, adaptability and originality and above all demanding quality and style. All fabrics are carefully selected for their quality, comfort, functionality and versatility each piece is crafted to travel well, to be easily adapted to the moods of women by reversing or simply adding accessories. The boutique is on 6, Plaza del Parque in Ibiza Town.

Before you get too settled in and definitely before you leave, its well worth taking a drive up north to Santa Juan de Labritja, a tiny village that has become quite the in spot for sophisticated people watching. Here you can pop in on the lovely Gisela, a German native of Ibiza who has watched the scene evolve for over 30 years. From running the door at famous clubs in the 1980s, she opened her own clothing label and gallery, which eventually turned into a collection of beautiful Ibiza style clothes and designs: Gisela G.. Favoured by everyone from Kate Moss to Jade Jagger to Calvin Klein, every custom piece is both revealing and a true work of art. If you're lucky, maybe she'll sit down with you for a cup of tea in her studio, and share a story or two about the old Ibiza and its bohemian roots. Although those days are gone in the busy, clubby south, you might just believe it still exists in the north, if only by the twinkle in her wise blue eyes.