Ibiza is one of the big four European gay destinations with thousands of gay LGBTQ tourists coming here every year to hit the island's clubs, gay bars, restaurants and gay beaches. Last year Ibiza Gay Pride returned to the island after a long absence and the organisers are dong everything they can to make the event a top worldwide Pride destination.
So, with all this going on and with most likely limited you'll want somewhere to rest your head between touring all the island has to offer. There are lots of gay friendly hotels and apartment complexes that do more to make the gay tourist welcome. If that's for you, read on.
Mixed and very gay friendly
Ibiza is very gay friendly and no one is going to bat an eyelid unless you are full on snogging your lover outside MacDonalds on a busy day - but that's the same for anyone really. What you need to know is that things are very “mixed” here including everything from accommodation to entertainment. That said, you do want to feel comfortable wherever you stay with the secure knowledge that the place will cater for you and be free of judgment.
There are few gay-only hotels, but many switched-on hoteliers go a long way to try and attract the pink Euro. What you need to check out is they are doing this because they have good business sense and want your business or if they are trying to exploit a now quite long-established marketing ploy. It's worth checking out each hotel's gay credentials, by looking at their website, at reviews or doing a quick search on Twitter of the venue's name. Very soon, you'll be able to see if the place is right.
Getting started
So, where to start. You'll find most gay-friendly accommodation in and around Ibiza Town, especially in Figueretas which has its own little gay neighbourhood with a few gay venues as well as good regular bars and restaurants. Here, you get many options such as the pretty Marigna Hotel with its simple white modernism broken up with shades of blue. It's focussed mainly on gay tourists and has a roof terrace with Jacuzzi and offers standard and premium rooms with extras. The Cenit is a well established hotel for the gay traveller; accommodation is more homely, though you have a terrific outside pool area which is is a great place to be seen without being on the scene.
The Versa Group is very gay friendly and has two hotels in Figueretas, The Ibiza Playa and the Figueretas hotels as well as the Mar y Playa apartments nearby. These places are close to the sand and all have fab amenities. The high-rise Don Quijote also offers many facilities and has been popular with gay tourists for some time.
At the more budget end, in Talamanca you'll find the Hostal Talamanca, a decidedly low-key place, though with Balinese beds and graceful seating areas outside to prepare for your night ahead.
Gay only
Over in San Antonio is the town's only gay-only hotel, The Purple, which opened late in 2014 and has proved a popular hit from the get-go; everyone who goes loves this purple paradise with its gorgeous white outside area and pool and comfy rooms. This resort has been waiting a long time for something that would serve the gay market and with the town's closeness to some of the best beaches on the island and only a 20 minute trip to Ibiza Town, its success is heartening.
If you want full on don't have to lift a finger luxury, there are many many places on the island from the complete clubbing experience of The Ushuaia Hotel in Playa d'en Bossa to the Gran Hotel near Marina Botafoch, voted one of the world's best five-stars. The four-star Los Molinos has decades-old experience of catering to the gay market and is just outside of Dalt Vila; the rooms are bright and modern and it is open all year round. There are many more hotels at the luxury end of the market: all will be discreet. Most top-end hotels have spas, great restaurants and even private drivers to whisk you to Es Cavallet beach or take you to dinner or dance. We like!
Whatever you choose, remember there is a wealth of hotels, apartments and villas on our website, so you can get looking and get booking.
WORDS: Julian Heathcote
