Review: Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay

1 day ago

A five-star white palace on the White Isle.

This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more

Whether you seek music, sun and fun in Ibiza or it’s maximum relaxin’ you desire, finding the perfect location to base yourself in on this popular tourism hotspot is no easy task. Enter Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, says Rebecca Cox.

STAY

Location, location… perfection: its spot on the shores of Talamanca Bay make for one of the best hotel positions in all of Ibiza, with direct beach access from both pools, sea views from its four floors of spacious rooms and Ibiza Town within 30 minutes of walking distance. If you can nab a spacious corner suite you’ll have not only a light and airy private balcony but a sea-front terrace that gets the sun all day for the ultimate private sun-worshipping spot. But there’s something for every taste in the 152 rooms and suites, including a three-bedroom Nobu Penthouse Suite that is perfect for private families or groups and sleeps up to eight people with its own roof terrace. Mere mortals below will still feel like guests of honour in their light Mediterranean-inspired rooms all featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and Persian marble bathrooms featuring Natura Bissé cosmetics and enormous bathtubs (with sea-views through bathroom blinds) in the superior room categories.

No tub, no worries, as the hotel’s biggest draw (aside from its accessible, beachside location) is its two show-stopping sea-view pools surrounded by comfy daybeds and gently swaying palms. The highly photographed main pool, around the corner from the large family pool, is a real summer hotspot, and poolside beds should be booked in advance and come with a minimum spend of €150, easy to reach with a tempting menu of cocktails and local and international wines to enjoy, plus a menu of pool snacks that only Nobu could deliver.

I’m not one to loiter in hotel lobbies (nor would I admit it if I were), though Nobu Ibiza Bay is one worth hovering in, especially if the sun refuses to consistently shine in an off-season visit. It’s an impressive, well-lit and inviting space sprawling around the length of the building with comfy, attractive nooks for lounging in and a great spot for a pre-dinner drink or post-gym coffee. The gym is one of the best in Ibiza, though with so many of the island’s local hotspots within walking distance, and an enjoyable cliff hike in the other direction directly from the hotel, it’s a shame to meet your step count inside.

Other facilities include a Six Senses spa, yoga classes and a John Frieda hair salon, though none appealed as much as the Kids Club, which is reportedly great fun, though I wasn’t allowed in for the ‘pirates and mermaids party’ being advertised when I passed.

EAT

As you would imagine, Nobu Restaurant is one of the hotel’s biggest selling points. Serving its world-renowned Japanese fusion cuisine, guests should take the time to enjoy at least one long, slow dinner on-site in this atmospheric dining room, savouring sushi, sashimi, small plates and signature favourites (us, tired of the black cod? Never).

Breakfast at Chambao is a bit of a busy affair, even off-season, so timing your visit toward the beginning or end of the sitting is recommended. Once you’ve acquired a table, however, the buffet is extensive and impressive, with dozens of baked breads and pastries, plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses, local delicacies and international staples. There are coffees on demand, healthy green juices or free-flowing bubbles for those that need topping up after the night before.

DO

Start your mornings with a light hike along the boardwalk to the left of the hotel and up the rocks of the Talamanca cliffs for spectacular views of craggy caves lapped by turquoise water and the walled peak of Ibiza Town across the bay. In the opposite direction you’ll find two bustling marinas between the hotel and Ibiza Town itself, one of which, Ibiza Marina, is the glitziest shopping destination on the White Isle. Sparkling designer boutiques face the rows of docked gleaming superyachts; great window shopping on both fronts. Further into town you’ll find a mix of tourist-friendly restaurants and clubs, crystal shops and local designers and independent boutiques. Annie’s Ibiza is a must visit within the walls of the old town, for a real-life glimpse of the intricately beaded catwalk masterpieces.

Of course, if you’re blessed with great weather you may not want to leave the cool and comfort of the pool and the surrounding daybeds, and if it’s a fly and flop Ibizan escape you crave, this just might be the best there is.

THE FINAL WORD

Flawless, absolutely flawless. For those who want pristine finishes, luxe facilities, impeccable service and just a touch of glamour, Nobu Ibiza Bay really delivers.