When Nobu Hotels, owned by Japanese-Peruvian Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert de Niro, opened its Ibizan outpost in late June, the jet set crowd happily streamed into the property, packing a hotel that was not yet running on full ship. The enthusiatic response was affirmation that despite the stature of Ibiza as a tourist destination, there is a clear gap when it came to luxury accomodations. We were amongst the first guests to experience the hotel, which, last we heard is booked out weeks on end.

For years, many of the well-heeled travellers visiting the summer hotspot have had to either stay in super yachts moored off the posh Marina Botafoch or rent luxury villas. There are, of course, a handful of five star hotels (a good number geared towards the party crowd), but they're mostly made of institutional-looking structures with a few hundred rooms around a landscaped pool. There weren't many places that catered to the guests who actually want to chill, or get to know Ibiza beyond its famed party scene.

Despite Ibiza being known as La Isla Blanca, other hotels have missed the obvious in their design brief and have not brought elements of the White Island into the interiors. The Nobu Hotel was the opposite: Designed by Spanish architect Alvaro Sanz from PM Aquilab, the property takes inspiration from the island’s natural materials and colour palette. Besides lots of white, gold is also used to represent the Ibizan sun. Touches of blue—from celadon to lapis lazuli—are everywhere, which reflect the everchanging opalescent colours of the Balearic seas.

The hotel is also reflective of Ibiza's diverse offerings as a destination—spanning art, culture, and history, all of which are celebrated beautifully in this brand-new property.

Jennica Arazi , one of the owners of the property, worked actively with interior designer Mario Nicholau to create spaces that reflect a stylish yet domestic character. “We wanted to infuse the high-end luxury villa experience with a bespoke residential feel, all within a hotel format that would resonate with our guests and could not be found on Ibiza until we opened.” One of the other owners is Daniel Shamoon, owner of Small Luxury Hotels, of which Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay is a member.

Sitting on the tranquil Talamanca Bay, the hotel is within easy reach of all the key destinations. It's just eight minutes from the UNESCO Heritage Site of D’Alt Vila, 15 minutes away from the airport by car, and within walking distance to Pacha, the nightclub that inspired Singapore’s Zouk. It is a refuge of choice for the mature sun seeker who wants to get away from the crowd but access the party scene should they be in the mood. Relaxed vibes aside, the hotel is also reflective of Ibiza's diverse offerings as a destination— spanning art, culture, and history, all of which are celebrated beautifully in this brand-new property.