Peace & Quiet In Ibiza: Cas Gasi
By
2 weeks ago
A boho rural hideaway
When you think of Ibiza, quiet, regenerative and relaxing generally aren’t the words that may spring to mind to describe the party capital of the world. But that’s exactly what Cas Gasi has managed to encapsulate at its bohemian countryside bolthole.
C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide
Hotel Review: Cas Gasi, Ibiza
STAY
Having just celebrated its 25th year, you can’t help but presume that Cas Gasi must be doing something right. Open year-round and extending its services to a hammam, hair salon and two in-door treatment cabins this year, the team has created a sanctuary that feels worlds away from the infamous party hub – despite being just a 15 minute car journey.
Entering the main house, you can feel that this place has soul. Piles of coffee table books on local artists and the island adorn all available surfaces of the cosy living room, which is complete with an open fire, crisp white sofas and vaulted beamed ceilings. A white piano sits discreetly in the corner with a dog sleeping contently underneath, while canvases by local artist Linde Bialas loom over us in a colourful palette. Everything about Cas Gasi exudes a family home vibe, and it’s an unexpected comfort.
With 12 different rooms and six suites dotted around the grounds, Cas Gasi has managed to maintain a quiet privacy for its guests that makes a stay feel like pitching up at a friends house for the week. Sustainability features heavily and obviously means a great deal to the whole team. As Ibiza is seeing some of the driest summers on record, water has become a precious commodity on the island, which is why Cas Gasi has installed a recycled water system that has reduced their consumption by an impressive 70 percent. Smaller, yet just as helpful, efforts include solar LED lights throughout all outdoor spaces, creating their own biological olive oil (available to buy on site), and a lush garden which is planted seasonally and aligns with the moon cycles.
Our room is just off the house’s living room and includes its own foyer, front door and both double and twin bedrooms. It’s the family room and it serves us perfectly throughout our stay. Pleasantly traditional with terracotta tile flooring, blue and white floral bathroom tiles and wooden window shutters, it’s peppered with luxurious touches such as a huge stand-alone bath tub, wet room shower and plush linens. While our small terrace is a shared courtyard, it’s quiet and provides shady respite from the heat. In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find another guest outside of the hotel’s meal-time rituals. Occasionally, you may find a weary traveller reclining on a cabana bed around the adults-only decked swimming pool overlooking the countryside below, or sitting beside the lively frog pond underneath the trees at breakfast time.
EAT
As you would expect, Cas Gasi offers a feast of produce picked freshly from the garden that morning, supplemented with fish and meat from local producers. From fluffy omelettes using eggs from the estate’s hens to chia pudding and lighter-than-air pastries at breakfast, the simplest of dishes taste other-worldly thanks to their organic origins.
Serving times are set, but nothing is an inconvenience for the team who go out of their way to accommodate your dietary requirements – even when your child is a picky eater!
DO
Taking a walk around the Cas Gasi grounds is a must in the early morning, before the sun gets too high. With just the dawn chorus for company, you can take in the hotel’s impressive vegetable garden complete with banquet table for group meals amongst the tomatoes and strawberries. You can then meander down to the olive groves, past the chickens and up to the highest point of the property with breathtaking views of the fields and trees beyond. Finish by taking a seat in the garden – a great meditation spot due to the grounding energy of the indigenous plants, according to Callie, a respected staff member and resident tour guide. With hidden reading spots and a separate children’s pool on the other side of the property, there are plenty of places to have fun as a family but also escape for a little respite alone.
If you’re looking for a little more bustle, most beaches, towns and hotspots are within a 20 minute drive from the hotel. Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera is a must-visit for local boutiques, bars and restaurants or just for a sunset walk among the locals. The nearest beach club is CBBC Ibiza, where you can hire sun loungers and an umbrella in advance; make sure you book two days ahead of time to avoid pricey on-the-day rates. Stretching the entire length of the beach, the club offers a laid-back atmosphere with a mix of families and party-goers but gets exceptionally busy at weekends where finding a spot to lay your towel on the sand becomes almost impossible.
THE FINAL WORD
With so many hotels popping up every year, it’s rare to find one with so much soul. Cas Gasi offers all of the quiet and wisdom of a retreat without calling itself as such. Its remote location means a car is a must and if you’re looking for the bustling atmosphere of a busier location and the convenience that brings, it’s probably not for you. If, however, you want a little escapism with spiritual undertones, healthy, home-grown food and space to explore your thoughts then Cas Gasi is your next stop.
BOOK IT
Rooms at Cas Gasi start at £430 for a Deluxe King Room on a bed and breakfast basis. casgasi.com
Jessica was travelling with her family in Ibiza when this review was conducted.