Away from the flashing lights and glow sticks, Ibiza's best beach clubs this summer offer a more sophisticated and (literally) laid-back form of clubbing. Throw a shape at the waiter to order another margarita, head to the restaurant for sushi, or pose on a sun lounger. Everything is done without unsightly effort, to the rhythmic throbbing of a Balearic beat.
blue marine
collar jondal
If there's one place on the island that captures the glamorous, hedonistic essence of an Ibiza beach club, it's Blue Marlin. With attendance from the rich and famous, including A-list royals like Beyoncé, it's no wonder it's a celebrity draw.
A private dock makes for easy access, with the superyacht Squiglionare moored just offshore allowing you to swoop in for a wagyu ribeye and Veuve Clicquot cocktail. That said, the scene has a distinctly cosmopolitan feel, with a mix of healthy holidaymakers and enthusiastic locals enjoying popular DJs late into the night.
place to stay It may not be close, but if you want to get to Blue Marlin in style (and you really should), Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay can do it.
It also has its own dock, so you can take your boat directly to the beach club for a glitterati-approved entrance. This 5-star beach beauty lets you dip your toes in the sand and even don your own dress for an impressive night out. beach bar And the famously wonderful Nobu dining.
beach house
Playa d'en Bossa
Occupying a major part of Ibiza's coastline, Beachouse is located at the southern end of d'en Bossa, the island's most popular playa. Nonetheless, a distinct beach hut chic prevails: sun-bleached driftwood, weaves of palm fronds, sunlight dappled by bamboo.
Free sunrise yoga sessions add to the oh-so-boho credentials, a resident DJ aims for a more chilled-out vibe, and the evenings are more like moonlit dinners than full-moon parties. There's also a beach club that parents will love. A kids' club, open daily, helps ensure little ones don't get in the way of a fun holiday.
place to stay Pink Floyd, Orson Welles and Princess Caroline of Monaco may seem unlikely alumni, but they all slept at the Montesol Experimental. The unexpected was evident in Dorothée Meilichzon's Po-Mo interiors (sounds a bit cosmic…). Housed in an iconic 1950s hotel, the Experimental group has brought its cocktail influence to the bar by giving Ibicenco cuisine some surprising twists to the restaurant and adding a boutique. This allows you to show off their curious side when you get home.
And they even have their own beach club where you can enjoy a sandy soiree at the Las Salinas salt reserve, a 20-minute drive away.
Nikki Beach Ibiza
Playa de Sargamasa
Nikki Beach's Ibizan outpost doesn't stray too far from the brand's signature formula of smooth cork-popping pleasure. Why should we do that? Although set in a more remote corner of the island, the scene still has a variety to behold.
Poolside Bali beds are prime real estate, but grab an ocean-view lounger and you won't be disappointed. You'll enjoy live shows ranging from roaming saxophonists to breathing players, with the occasional familiar face popping up on the decks. Everyone from Idris Elba to Fatboy Slim has tried their hand here. Go there on a Sunday for a never-ending champagne brunch.
place to stay If you're done with all the beach club pretentiousness, the happy confines of Ca Na Xica offer the perfect antidote. A T-shaped swimming pool lined with cypress trees is the centerpiece of the immaculately landscaped grounds, where almond, olive and citrus trees dot the rust-colored grounds.
The White Cube Suite opens onto a terrace with views of the Campo and an internal external bathroom. The sunny restaurant overlooks swaying fields of barley. Expect lots of spontaneous sighing.
cotton beach club
collar tarida
Although there is a strict white-on-white palette throughout the island, Cotton Beach Club certainly stands out for sticking to its aesthetic. Not only does it magnify the turquoise intensity of the Balearic waters overlooking it, the effect sets off everything from salmon sushi platters to exciting signature cocktails.
The clifftop setting adds to the grandeur of it all, and stairs lead directly to the postcard-like Cala Tarida. The west coast setting also offers front row seating or a king-size daybed to enjoy the famous Ibiza sunsets.
place to stay Ibiza is generally not sprawling, but it's easy to forgive 7Pines Resort's outstanding exception. Nestled between pine-scented beach towns and serious gentrification, this family-friendly five-star resort really has it all.
Expect a huge spa with sea views, numerous restaurants and bars, and two swimming pools (one with dramatic views of the mystical Es Vedrà). And if you want to get even closer to the mystical landmark, three stunning Pershing yachts await.
Nassau Beach Club
Playa d'en Bossa
Nassau, one of the pioneers of the beach club concept, has found success. With their boudoir and Balinese aesthetic, glitzy sparkle and obligatory boho-chic style, they've pretty much written a recipe for Balearic beach clubbing.
Located at the southern end of Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza's liveliest stretch of sand, it has a fun-loving approach to entertainment. From their signature sparkling champagne baths to rolling out the red carpet along the beach, they certainly don't hold back on the play here.
place to stay Staying in a standard from one iconic brand to another will allow you to experience your Ibiza experience in style. The Ibiza outpost of this iconic mini chain takes Balearic chic to the max, taking off the handle and throwing it into the pool. Whether you're pre-detoxing at a tropical rooftop bar or detoxing at an intimate spa, The Standard always goes above and beyond. If you're bringing a group, book Casa Privada, which sleeps up to 14 people.
stillness
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El Silencio, the Balearic outpost of David Lynch's typically Lynchian institution in Paris, attracts musicians, fashion designers, chefs and artists to contribute to its original cultural program. And all that creativity extends to the dance floor. The party component is renowned, with sets from top DJs around the knockout pool.
place to stay Deep house brunch with margaritas, daily rooftop yoga sessions, a soothing spa with island-grown plants, wagyu or toro with caviar created by a former Sushi Samba chef? Oku is the ideal tonic for El Silencio's adventurous spirit, with minimalist rooms in earthy tones (all with balconies, some with 'mine' terraces), a resident DJ and the largest swimming pool on the island.
A 15-minute drive away, Petunia Ibiza will delight you with its modern style, views of Es Vedrà, an easy and refreshing yoga lifestyle, cocktails by the pool and long, leisurely dinners served in the lush kitchen garden. Accommodation that will grow.
Element EIVISSA Beach Club
Carla Benirras
Strip away the glamor and Ibiza is still hippie at heart. And channeling flower power energy into the northeastern corner of the island is Elements Eivissa Beach Club. It's located on Beniras Beach, one of the island's 'alternative' beaches (note the sunset bongo-breakers), and pairs a welcoming, down-to-earth attitude with a blissful sense of remoteness.
But don't think this ultra-laid-back personality means sitting in the kitchen with a menu that includes superfood smoothies, daily pasta, and seafood from the surrounding ocean.
place to stay With a few bays along the coast, Six Senses Ibiza still retains its soulful spirit. The majestic 20-acre property blends seamlessly with the expansive panorama of the sparkling ocean and pine-covered Sierra.
This complex is truly jaw-dropping, not only for its setting, but also for its achingly sophisticated boundaries and the scope of its offerings to offer just about every imaginable experience on offer within the stunning Balearic region. Their impeccable (and award-winning) sustainability credentials will help you feel much better about your accommodation choices.
Prefer to make your own pad? Check out our collection of private villas in Ibiza