Which Spanish Island Is For You?

Just a 15-minute drive from Palma in the foothills of the Tramuntana mountains is Son Net, a stylish, art-filled hideaway on a private estate dating back to 1672. It has recently re-opened as a sister hotel to one of our favourite Spanish hotels, Finca Cortesin near Marbella. With just 31 suites, the interiors have been tastefully transformed, while preserving many of the mansion’s original features – think rustic beams, stone floors and archways, carved wooden ceilings, antique fireplaces, an original 17th-century interior courtyard and a chapel. Outside, there are several pools dotted through the gardens where you can relax surrounded by breath-taking views. The hotel also has its own farm, citrus orchards and vineyard producing Malvasia white wine. 

In the lesser-known southeast of the island, the Soldevila-Ferrer family, owners of Sant Francesc, have opened Can Ferrereta in the town of Santanyí. They have meticulously restored a historic 17th-century building, transforming it into a 32-room hotel surrounded by pretty gardens. The interiors are reminiscent of a grand summer house, featuring simple and sleek furnishings together with original rustic wooden beams and stone. Each room is individually designed with bespoke furniture and hand-picked art; in fact, art plays a big part here with a focus on local and Spanish artists, and some pieces from the family’s private collection. A stunning two-metre, 280 kilo visage sculpture by the renowned Barcelona-born Jaume Plensa takes pride of place in the garden. The hotel’s restaurant OCRE serves simple and seasonal Mediterranean fare, made from local produce, much of which from the market in Santanyí. This is a great location, just inland from the stunning beaches that stretches for more nearly 50km on this spectacular coastline.

If you want to treat yourself to some ultra-luxury for a few nights, book into La Residencia on the edge of Deià. Nestling between the mountains and the sea, this is the ideal spot for early-morning dips and afternoon hilltop hikes. Set in a collection of 16th-century honey-coloured manor houses, the property is surrounded by olive groves, citrus trees and gardens. Individually designed rooms and suites feature Mallorcan paintings by local artists, sun-splashed balconies and some have private plunge pools. Guests can relax by the two outdoor swimming pools; there’s also an award-winning spa with an indoor pool, tennis courts, a fitness centre, an acclaimed restaurant set in a former olive mill and a casual restaurant serving Spanish tapas. 

Ibiza has seen a hotel boom in the last decade, with many focused on wellness – so it’s the ideal place to visit if you’re in need of a reboot. While you can still party until dawn in Ibiza, there’s a quiet side to the island that is worth exploring, especially as it only takes about an hour to drive from one end to the other. Seek out the charming inland towns and villages like Sant Josep de sa Talaia and San Gertrudis, and the many unspoilt beaches like Aguas Blancas and Cala Xaracca in the north, and Cala Conta and Cala Saladeta in the west. While the south of the island tends to be busier, the beaches here are, unsurprisingly, stunning – Cala d’Hort and Playa d’en Bossa are two of our favourites off season. Also worth a visit is the historic quarter of Ibiza Town, situated behind the medieval walls – the cobbled streets are teeming with cute homeware stores, lovely boutiques, and buzzy restaurants and bars.

Where To Stay…

After opening its doors a couple of years ago, Six Senses has cemented itself as the uber-luxe option for its spa experiences, yoga retreats and raft of treatments from detoxes to sound healing. New this year is the RoseBar, a wellness club with a resident doctor and state-of-the-art tech like cryotherapy chambers, infrared saunas, cold plunge pools and biohacking tools. Also new, there are wellness retreats for weekend or week-long trips, plus fresh dining offerings like the Mediterranean restaurant North headed up by chef Eyal Shani, an Italian-inspired menu at The Orchard and Spanish dishes at La Plaza. The property is located on the peaceful northern tip of the island and set over 20 acres, with unrivalled sea views and direct access to one of the most beautiful bays in Ibiza, Cala Xarraca. Rooms are decorated in soothing neutral shades, the bathrooms have walk-in showers and robes by Italian brand La DoubleJ, and the minibars are stocked with healthy brands, including mushroom supplements and CBD-infused sparkling drinks. 

OKU Ibiza is also one of the island’s newest offerings, situated on the west side of the island and nestled in the pines on the edge of Cala Gració. With a relaxed, rustic vibe, this hotel has the feel of a Six Senses property, but at a more accessible price. The adults-only spa has five treatment rooms and a suite for couples, and is staffed by internationally trained therapists. The group – which also has a hotel on the Greek island of Kos – offers an alternative way to experience island life, encouraging guests to disconnect and focus on themselves. Healing rituals include gong baths, reiki sessions and crystal healings. Best of all, the OKU Spa is the first European outpost to offer OTO CBD signature massages and facials, and its OKU Retreats series is a selection of wellness breaks hosted by some of the best-known names in the fitness and wellness world. You can also join daily yoga sessions, arrange for Pilates and tai chi classes, or book a personal trainer. After all that, you can relax in one of the poolside cabanas. Rooms are done up in earthy tones, most with balconies; for the ultimate private escape, book one with a swim-up pool. The two restaurants are overseen by former Sushisamba chef Mark Vaessen – the upscale OKU Restaurant serves Japanese dishes with a Mediterranean slant, while the more casual eatery, Kima, has a lighter menu with Asian accents. And if you tire of these, Michelin-starred restaurant Es Tragón is a three-minute drive away. 

Another favourite and one of the most stylish hotels on the island is Atzaró, near Santa Eulalia. Expect serious luxury – the bedrooms are simple yet chic, the restaurants and bars serve delicious food, and the on-site Balinese-style spa is a great place to relax – there’s an aerobic pool, sauna and steam rooms, and the range of treatments is heavenly, from Ole Henriksen facials and reiki to cupping and shiatsu massage. You can also start the day with yogalates and stretching classes. 

Where To Eat…

The choice of restaurants on Ibiza is vast but here are some of our favourites. Deep in the countryside, La Paloma is a simple, laid-back spot near the village of San Lorenzo. Expect home-cooked style food made with the very best locally sourced organic ingredients served beneath the trees. The menu changes frequently but the salads and pasta dishes, as well as freshly baked bread are always available. In the centre of Santa Gertrudis, Finca La Plaza is set in a pretty garden and has a great menu, from flame-grilled aubergine croquettes, bluefin tuna tartare with mango caviar, crispy rice and a spicy sauce to lobster tempura with zucchini flowers and ginger ponzu sauce. Over in the centre of Santa Eulalia, Hämbre is a small restaurant worth the trip. Championing local and sustainable produce, the 12-plate menu changes every three days. Expect to try dishes like bonito crudo with padrón peppers, fried razor clams with kohlrabi and toasted cabbage with Caesar dressing. Sister restaurant to Passion Café in Ibiza Town is the new Middle Eastern restaurant, Yalla, in Santa Gertrudis. Each plate showcases the variety of produce found on and around the island – the ‘salatim’ menu has a selection of salads and mezze boards featuring falafel, zaatar halloumi and chargrilled aubergine, all drizzled with tahini. Meanwhile, seabass, lamb koftas, chicken shish tawooks and other meat and fish options are cooked over the grill. Don’t leave without a Turkish coffee and slice of baklava. El Chiringuito on Es Cavallet beach is one of the island’s most famous restaurants and the place for a long lunch. The menu changes regularly so there’s always something new to try – either from a day bed on the sand or in the shaded boho-inspired restaurant. Dishes are designed to be shared, from seafood platters and whole grilled fish served at the table to tapas-style starters like smoked aubergine, calamari and tuna tartare. Ibiza’s Old Town is lined with family run restaurants and cafés, but El Olivo Mio is one of our go-tos. In true Spanish fashion, dinner is served late, but it’s worth getting there early to secure a table outside on the cobbled street.

Quieter than Mallorca and Ibiza but just as beautiful, Menorca has everything you need for a memorable holiday, with great food and chic hotels. But since the opening two years ago of the Hauser & Wirth art centre, the island has now made its way into the art lover’s little black book of must-visits. In a former 18th-century naval hospital built by the British on the Isla del Rey in Mahón Harbour, you’ll find a huge exhibition space showcasing contemporary artists from around the world, an outdoor sculpture trail, a restaurant, a shop and a garden with indigenous flowers by Piet Outdolf of New York’s High Line fame, who also worked on Hauser & Wirth’s Somerset outpost. The outdoor sculptures include works by Stefan Brüggemann, Hans Josephsohn, Paul McCarthy, Eduardo Chillida, Matin Creed and Laia Estruch. The exhibition space indoors is currently (until the end of October) showcasing the works of Los Angeles-based artist Christina Quarles; there is also an exhibition called ‘After the Mediterranean’ showing works by artists who originate from or work within territories bordering the Mediterranean, including Spain, Albania, Morocco and Lebanon. Be sure to book a table at Cantina, the bistro where you can enjoy seasonal sharing plates of vegetables, seafood, fish and grilled meat, as well as a great selection of wines under the shade of olive trees.

Other museums worth visiting in Mahón, depending on your interests, include the Museum of Menorca for a journey through the island’s history; the Ca n’Oliver art centre for prints and decorative arts from the 18th to 21st centuries;  and Galería Cahón for contemporary art by Spanish and international artists. Elsewhere on the island, you can see a collection of contemporary art by artists as internationally recognised as Joan Miró and Miquel Barceló at Loac in the town of Alaior.

Where to Stay…

Mahón has several lovely boutique hotels in handsomely restored townhouses. Situated in the heart of the historic centre of the city, Can Albertí has 14 rooms and suites decorated with a tasteful mix of contemporary art and antiques. It has a large rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the sunset over the bell towers, the old houses with their patinated roofs and the nearby bay of Mahón. We also love the newer Cristine Bedfor – a collection of three adjoining Menorcan houses in the centre of town. Interiors are tastefully decorated with antiques, vintage furniture, rich fabrics and broquante-sourced finds. The pool in the pretty garden is the perfect spot to unwind after a day out, or in the cooler months you can curl by the fireplaces in the cosy sitting rooms. The 21 rooms and two apartments all differ in décor and size, some with terraces with views over the rooftops. Light bites, based on local ingredients, are available throughout the day.

At the other end of the island in the former capital Ciutadella, Faustino Gran is set in a 16th-century merchant’s palace. Blending nicely with the medieval architecture, the whitewashed building is surrounded by lush gardens that conceal three pools spread across the country club, main building and two nearby annexes. Rooms are simple yet elegant and there’s a subterranean spa built into the rocks. At sunset, the patio turns into the restaurant where you can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine based on local produce – it’s a haven of peace in the heart of the city’s buzzy nightlife.

With the best white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters in the Balearics, Formentera is like another world, and yet it’s only a 20-minute boat ride from Ibiza Town. The island is largely undeveloped and the locals are keen to maintain their sustainable environment – more than 70 per cent of the land is protected and car use is restricted – so biking or walking is the best way to get around.

Platja de Ses Illetes in the north of the island is one of the loveliest beaches and is great for snorkelling and diving but, as it’s the closest to the port, it can get busy with day visitors. Other popular beaches are Platja de Llevant in the north, which is good for surfing but the sea tends to be a little choppier, and Platja de Migjorn which stretches out over much of the southern coast with 5km of sandy coves and lovely sheltered spots.

Where To Stay…

The ultra-chic Gecko Hotel and Beach Club is the island’s best located hotel on Platja de Migjorn. The building is low rise and minimal, while the inside is contemporary with lots of glass and modern art. The 30 bedrooms are bright and airy, and done up in white and shades of blue. You can also expect early morning yoga classes, healthy cuisine in the restaurant, a chic outdoor bar and an Ayurverdic spa. On the same beach Casa Pacha has 16 rooms done up in neutral, natural materials – think wood, concrete and linen. The beach restaurant has long sharing tables and is very popular, especially for sunset tapas. Can Tres is set back slightly from the coast and is the perfect, peaceful hideaway if you’re after something more affordable. Nestled within lovely quiet gardens with a pool, the accommodation consists of a handful of apartments and studios with whitewashed walls and local artisan pieces.

Where To Eat…

For huge seafood platters, head over for lunch at  Juan Y Andrea on Platja Illetes; it’s also a great place for people watching. For fine dining, book a table well ahead at Ca Na Joana, which is set in an intimate, beautifully restored 17th-century house. Expect fresh Mediterranean cuisine with Japanese and Peruvian touches.

Lanzarote has had a reputation for soulless resorts and package holidays, but it’s time to look beyond this outdated image. Today, the island is considered the coolest of the Canaries. The planning and development were overseen by 1960s artist and architect César Manrique (a friend of Andy Warhol) who kept buildings low rise, white-washed and sustainable, and sculptures and art installations can be seen dotted around the island.

Moreover, the island is surrounded by warm, crystal-clear ocean water with good visibility, making it the perfect place to scuba dive and snorkel. The best locations around the island are Charco del Palo and Puerto del Carmen, and one must-visit is the underwater sculpture museum, the Museo Atlántico, which is located 12 metres below the surface. When it comes to snorkelling Playa de Papagayo, Playa Chica and Playa del Jabillo are the best beaches to head to for calm waters. As you would expect, there are a number of dive schools suitable for all levels, including if you are a beginner and want to do a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) course. If you would prefer to book an organised diving holiday, Dive Worldwide offers eight-day trips to Lanzarote. 

Where To Stay…

Thanks to Manrique, buildings higher than two storeys are not allowed in most places on the island. One exception is the south coast, where most of the holiday resorts are located. Hotel Fariones is one of the top hotels on the island. Set in the centre of Puerto del Carmen on the southeast coast, the property is surrounded by palm trees with direct access to the sandy beaches below. There are 213 rooms to choose from, many of which have panoramic views across the Atlantic, as well a rooftop pool where you can watch the sunset. The interiors are simple yet chic, with a touch of nautical flair throughout, and rooms have plenty of luxury touches, from a pillow menu to a complimentary minibar stocked with local treats. For large-scale luxury, the Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort occupies an enviable beachfront location in Playa Blanca and also has stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic. Despite its size, the hotel does not lack character. Boasting a plethora of facilities and amenities – three swimming pools, tennis courts, nearby golf courses and a large spa – you’ll never be short of ideas to spend those sun-soaked days. Accommodation is elegant and luxurious, while the hotel's eight restaurants offer endless dining options. 

If you’re after more of a boutique hotel feel, there are plenty of options sprinkled around the island. We like Villas Alondras, which has 42 villas with pools; Palacio Ico, a nine-room hotel in the historic town of Teguise; and La Casa de Los Naranjos, a manor house built over 200 years ago that sits at the foot of the Peñas del Chache (the highest point on the island) and is surrounded by fragrant orange trees. 

Where To Eat...

For upscale dining, Villa Toledo is set in a spectacular spot above the ocean in Costa Teguise and has  a diverse menu, including rice dishes, as well as a variety of fish and meat options. In Arrecife’s Marina district,  Restaurante Lilium has just ten tables – the menu is creative and based on what is available on the day, relying mostly on local produce – dishes might include limpets, squid and kaffir lime broth; duck leg confit with fig jam; and the speciality, roasted black Canary suckling pig. For more simple fare, one of the best restaurants for fish and seafood is Costa Azul, a very simple-looking place on the beach in the seaside village of El Golfo; we also like no frills Cofradia de Pescadores, which is run by the local fishing co-operative.