15 February 11

Ibiza Insiders

The island of Ibiza has long been a centre for hedonism, but what about those special places the locals keep to themselves? We get the lowdown from five residents on their favourite Ibiza haunts.

 If you want to find the hippest places to go on the pleasure isle of Ibiza, the people to ask are those in the know. Lucille Howe gets the inside track from a VIP concierge, a wellbeing consultant, a hotelier and two restaurateurs. Photos by Maria Simon

THE RESTAURATEURS

Husband and wife Craig Colligan, 37, and Navine Kumari, 42, own the Cardamom Club, a gourmet Indian restaurant and star hangout. Located in Santa Eulalia, it’s set in a former farmhouse and has a romantic candlelit garden. Craig is an award-winning chef who creates dishes from Goa, Kerala, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Kashmir.

Where do you party out of season?

All the establishments on the island put on private parties in spring. DJ Jo Mills came into the Cardamom Club the other night and said “Let’s have a girlie one”, so we had a do with music and wine, and anyone would have been welcome to join us. Musicians James Carrington and James Blunt are often performing impromptu too. You’re more likely to see the famous residents out and about before the season starts.

You don’t want to go clubbing, what else is there for entertainment?

The Palacio de Congresos (tel: +34 971 336406, www.santaeulalia.net) cultural centre is a great place to see concerts and recitals.

Any insider tips for the best Ibiza food and drink?

Spring produce is delicious, and we buy perishables daily from a little hut on the road out to Santa Eulalia. In low season everything is cheaper so you can eat in top restaurants for less money. Vila Vins in Ibiza Town is the place to buy warming reds for cool nights and fruity rosé for warm ones.

Where do you take the children for fun?

The Cardamom Club has a children’s lounge every week, and we work with a group called Kids In Ibiza to arrange entertainment such as face painting. I take our own kids down to Cala Martina beach to run around the old boats, and Santa Gertrudis park for a play and coffee on the steps of Café Musset (tel: +34 971 197671) opposite.

What is your favourite boutique?

A jeweller called Natasha Collis (tel: +34 971 334654, www. natashacollis.com) has a beautiful boutique next to San Miguel church in the little town of the same name. She sells pieces from €7–400, a lot of gold drop earrings and necklaces, perfect for Indian weddings. Natasha is the granddaughter of the original founder of the famous Browns boutique in London, so she knows good style.

What can we expect from the Cardamom Club in 2011?

The events side is getting bigger and bigger. We’re working with companies like MTV and Xbox, as well as hosting about 15 weddings, coordinating everything from the venue and food to music and decor. At the restaurant, Craig has started doing a blackboard menu and homemade cakes made with local ingredients. When they’re gone, they’re gone!

FOR MORE DETAILS, CALL +34 971 330017, OR VISIT WWW.CARDAMOMCLUB.COM

THE WELLBEING CONSULTANT

Larah Davis, 33, is a wellbeing consultant and one half of Ibiza Retreats, a blossoming company that offers bespoke retreats, workshops and spas. In the late stages of pregnancy, Larah is also a certified life coach and NLP master practitioner.

What’s your favourite way to get around the island?

On horseback. In spring there is almond blossom in Santa Ines Valley – amazing fields of white, yellow and red flowers.

I love riding across the countryside in the sunshine and stopping by an olive tree. Try Can Mayans school near Santa Eulalia (tel: +34 971 187388).

Where do you go for a light lunch?

It has to be at Yemanja restaurant (tel: +34 971 187481, www.yemanjaibiza. com) on Cala Jondal beach, a treat before the crowds descend on Blue Marlin. Take in the sun and the sea mist, over an avocado salad with their special yoghurt dressing then sea bass and dorada with garlic à la plancha. There are also incredible organic salads at La Paloma café (tel: +34 971 325543, www. palomaibiza.com) in San Lorenzo.

As a pregnant woman, where would you head for a night out?

Two top places on Carretera de Sant Joan, the main road leading to San Lorenzo. Vaughan’s Monkey Bar (monkeybaribiza@hotmail.com) for a game of pool. If I want to convene with like-minded people, I’ll go to Tina Cutler’s “Vibe Up” alcohol-free nights at Aura (tel: +34 971 325356, www. auraibiza.com). Parents can even bring the kids because there’s a creche on- site. Dress code is funky, with a hat!

Where would you send visitors for a cooling swim?

I adore the 40m lap pool at agrotourism hotel Atzaró (Carretera de Sant Joan KM 15, tel: +34 971 338838, www.atzaro. com), and beaches Benirras and S’Illot for the most incredible turquoise waters.

What workshops and learning opportunities are there here?

There are regular yoga workshops in new studios like Dharmasana (37 C/ Venda de Fruitera, tel: +34 971 197771, www.dharmasana.com). Plus an amazing new concept launched last year by Ilona Pantel and Maureen Ji called “Heart Medicine”, combining detox and sound healing.

Where do you shop for clothes?

At the Ocho Bazaar fashion festivals, which organiser Leah Tilbury announces through Facebook. And the annual charity clothes swap, arranged by Sarah and Kerry, at Atzaró in October where islanders swap clothes.

What can we expect from Ibiza Retreats in 2011?

Springtime revivals at the gorgeous Giri boutique hotel in San Juan, girlie yoga getaways for mums and daughters, and sophisticated “Healthy Hens” retreats in luxury villas. We will also be streaming the Wellness Calendar from our website – a guide to everything from yoga to drumming sessions.

FOR MORE DETAILS, CALL +34 670 248 292, OR VISIT WWW.IBIZARETREATS.COM

THE HOTELIER

David Phillips, 40, part-owns Boutique Hostal Salinas, the recently revamped bolt- hole for easy-going VIPs. He has lived in Ibiza for 18 years.

Can you reveal your secret island hideaway?

Punta Galera, a bay of flat rocks going down into the sea, north of San Antonio. But spring boasts the most spectacular sunsets, so you should probably head west – try Cala d’Hort. Or Sa Talaia, Ibiza’s highest “peak”, near San José – you can see most of the island from there.

You have a supper date with friends, where do you go?

Comidas Bar San Juan (8 C/ Montgri, Ibiza Town, tel: +34 971 311603), located in the heart of the old town, near the port entrance. It’s an old- school eatery opened in 1948, and always busy. The food can only be described as top-quality Ibicenco home cooking at a very affordable price. Two dishes and wine can come out as cheaply as €15. Owners Carlos and his father Juanito are as charming as they are professional.

And where would you eat the catch of the day?

My favourite is Es Boldado (tel: +34 626 494 537, www.restauranteboldado.com), perched on the cliff at Cala d’Hort, overlooking the Es Vedra islands that jut out of the water on the south-west tip of the island. Paella, fish stews, and seasonal specials, these guys have been doing this a long time. Call to check they’re open before you go, it’s not around the corner.

Where do you recommend for a Friday night drink?

Our bar! Lo Cura (directly behind Comidas Bar San Juan), is a long-established year-round hangout with locals, summer workers, regulars and half the music industry passing by. We have local DJs, visitors and superstars playing, an intimate atmosphere, and we are a great source of info on what’s really going on round here. Plus you must come to try out what we’ve been told is the best mojito in town.

If you need a sitter for the kids, who do you call?

Childcare Ibiza offers a very can-do service in that area. Check out www.childcareibiza.com

What can we expect from Boutique Hostal Salinas in 2011?

We’ll be concentrating on improving the place itself. We’re also talking to various people about doing regular events outside during the day.

FOR MORE DETAILS, CALL + 34 647 912 906, OR VISIT WWW.HOSTALSALINAS.COM . FOLLOW DAVID’S BLOG AT HTTP://HOSTALSALINAS.COM/WORDPRESS

THE VIP CONCIERGE

Serena Cook, 36, is the founder of concierge service Deliciously Sorted. Serena first visited Ibiza 16 years ago and began her professional life on the island managing three of Jade Jagger’s houses. Today, she counts Paris Hilton, Mick Jagger, Calvin Klein, Hugh Grant, Robert Carlyle, Jamie Oliver, Jenson Button and Lady Gaga among her company’s clients.

What is your favourite club night of the season?

DC10 (9 Passeig Vara de Rey, tel: +34 971 393495), in a former aircraft hangar near the airport. It triumphantly returned to its former glory in 2009 after a year’s hiatus when the authorities shut it down. It’s fun and funky, full of the super-trendy Barcelonan and Italian kids and, without a shadow of a doubt, the best cutting-edge music on the island. The best dancing in the sand experience is definitely Never say Never Presents Sasha at Ushuaïa. It’s at a beach club on Playa D’en Bossa where you can dance under the stars or get a VIP lounge bed. That will be the hottest night of 2011.

Who is the DJ you never miss?

DJ Bones, who plays at private parties and “We Love…” Sundays at Space.

Who serves the best cocktails in town?

Definitely Chris Edwards, ex-Groucho and award- winning UK mixologist, who has decamped to Aura in Ibiza and runs their fabulous cocktail bar. They make my absolute favourite Espressotinis.

Which is your favourite beach bar?

El Chiringuito on Es Cavallet (tel: +34 971395355, www.elchiringuitoibiza.com), now owned by Olivia Fleury and Jonathan Thorogood. Think white-bleached wood, open and airy, and fantastic Mediterranean food – courtesy of their French chef, Eric. I am a total foodie and love their burrata, tuna tartare, langoustine risotto, calamari and chicken provencale.

What can we expect from Deliciously Sorted in 2011?

Balearic domination – we are now in Mallorca too! Our multilingual team holds the key to the island’s best-kept secrets. No request is too extraordinary or too ordinary.

FOR MORE DETAILS, CALL +34 971 197867, OR VISIT WWW.DELICIOUSLYSORTEDIBIZA.COM

ALL PORTRAITS SHOT ON LOCATION AT THE GIRI RESIDENCE (WWW.THEGIRI.COM), A FIVE-SUITE BOUTIQUE HOTEL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SAN JUAN TOWN IN THE NORTH OF IBIZA