Ibiza isn’t the first place that comes to mind for rest and relaxation. It’s actually, well, probably one of the last—along with Mykonos, it has the reputation as one of the wildest summer locations in Europe. (If you google “party island”, it’s the first result.)
So, on a surface level at least, it might seem odd that Six Senses, a hospitality brand known for their innovative wellness programs, picked the idyllic-yet-energetic isle as a locale for a sprawling new resort. But, after visiting, it seems Ibiza might soon be living up to a very different reputation.
Built into a craggy cliffside overlooking the Cala Xarraca Bay on the north side of the island, the sheer rugged, rocky beauty of the Six Senses Ibiza is enough to soothe even weariest, jet-lagged traveler through sight alone. Yet the property’s 20 acres have been meticulously laid out so it “promotes a deep sense of wellbeing,” according to Jonathan Leitersdorf, architect and developer of the hotel.
His design was guided by the following principle: “A perfect day consists of 12 hours to connect with yourself and 12 hours spent with the rest of the world.” Half of their spaces—like the sprawling infinity pool that curves alongside the bay, their four restaurants, the live music room housed in a waterfront hallowed up cave—are meant for convivial, community socialization. But half of their spaces are also meant for solace. There are remote guest rooms with private decks, a 12,900 square foot spa, a rooftop yoga studio, and plenty of hiking trails around the bay.
It’s an architectural balance that, well, makes sense for the soul: while rejuvenation is often positioned as a solo endeavor, the reality is that in-person contact is necessary for human happiness. (In fact, the extreme loneliness spurned by the COVID-19 pandemic is itself considered an epidemic.) “We give our guests the ability to jump from seclusion to inclusion on their own time,” Leitersdorf adds.
When settling on the resort’s culinary offerings, the team studied the diets of the five “blue zones,” or the areas of the world where people live the longest. The result is a series of menus that are mostly plant and fish-based. Farmacy, a popular spot for lunch, serves up detox juices, smoothies, and simple Mediterranean salads with vegetables grown in the hotel’s own garden. (“The premise of having our own organic farm to grow our own produce was the biggest part of this whole philosophy,” says Leitersdorf.) Eggs, meanwhile, come from their own chicken coop.
Then there’s HaSalon, led by renowned Israeli chef Eyal Shani, serves up Ibizan-influenced mezze platters, grass-fed meats, and seafood caught just off the coast—think a board of heirloom tomatoes, king prawns drizzled with lemons, whole roasted cauliflower, or beetroot carpaccio. The wine list has pages upon pages with organic and biodynamic offerings. Also onsite are the Beach Caves, where you can relax on loungers during the day before watching the sunset and enjoying food from guest chefs; this year, they are hosting a pop-up from New York’s Bond Sushi.
Then there’s the spa. While yes, it seems like every five-star resort has a spa, the Six Senses offerings are state of the art. Sure, you can get a signature facial or massage, and those are wonderful. But you can also get biohacking treatments like cryotherapy and compression boots, or personalized wellness coaches—this writer spent one morning getting her vitals taken, and minutes later received a personalized diagnostic report complete with diet suggestions. An in-house shaman is even available to conduct a one-on-one session aimed at improving your spiritual wellbeing. Although a sunny, summery day exploring Ibiza’s beaches might be hard to pass up, one could easily spend a day lounging in its infra-red saunas, cold bucket showers, Caldarium Bath, and a steam room dotted with artisanal urns that, at the right time of day, traps the peaceful light at the golden hour. Soon, they will often multi-day, immersive retreats for specific goals, such as sleep improvement.
The hotel’s interiors were largely inspired by the local landscape and traditional Ibizan craft. Stone and earth tones dominate, while natural materials like rattan, wood, and woven fiber abound. Design aficionados will be able to identify iconic furniture pieces like Michel Ducaroy’s Togo sofas or Herman Miller’s Eames chair. Tablecloths at the restaurants, as well as the hotel’s robes, are done by LaDoubleJ, the white-hot fashion brand known for their wild, colorful prints.
It’s important to note that the Six Senses isn’t inventing Ibiza’s holistic side, but merely honoring it. Yogis have been flocking to the spot for decades for Es Vedrà, an island off its western coast that is the third most magnetic place in the world. Meanwhile, in the 1950s and ’60s, it was a hotbed for hippies and healers. (Some nudist beaches still remain.) And it was the 16th-century seer Nostradamus, after all, who once said: “Ibiza will be the Earth’s final refuge.” As you gaze out into the crystalline Balearic Sea, with only the elements of earth, air, and the water in view, you might truly understand what he’s talking about.
