Sol Beach House, on the edge of Santa Eulalia, offers something quite different from the usual family-orientated hostelry the town is renowned for. It is by no means a party hotel but it is designed with those who take their relaxation seriously in mind. Taking maximum advantage of the morning and afternoon sunshine it is a hotel that lives for the daytime and is aimed at those who celebrate healthy living and enjoy poolside pleasures.
Situated just beyond the Santa Eulalia Marina (a ten-minute walk into town to the numerous bars, cafés and restaurants), Sol Beach House is a resort where style meets the sea. The Meliá group of hotels have taken the beach house theme and carried it across 239 rooms and suites. Informal, colourful flourishes abound, courtesy of collaboration with popular Catalan fashion house, Desigual. Consequently, Sol Beach House feels very much like a Caribbean resort transported to the Mediterranean.
Entering into the airy reception the eye is drawn immediately to a stunning sea view towards La Isla de Santa Eulalia. Overhead hangs an inventive ceiling arrangement of multiple lampshades. Cool, wicker Winchester furniture and the casual uniforms of the reception staff hint at the laid-back nature of the resort. Everywhere there are flamboyant splashes of colourful fabrics and quirky design touches.
Rooms
Our Xtra Suite was very spacious and beautifully decorated - with vibrant furnishings and accessories. It had a king-size bed facing the sea, a sofa, flat-screen television, music system and stunning glass-fronted bathroom, with freestanding tub and walk-in rain shower. A separate toilet and a dressing room with complementary bathrobes and safe complete the picture. It was very clean throughout and the bathroom was stocked with many essential toiletries.
To make the most of the picturesque sea view, all balconies are glass-fronted and furnished with traditional folding deckchairs. We were greeted with complimentary flip-flops, fresh macarons and chilled cava that we sipped in a pair of comfortable rocking chairs.
The standard rooms are nicely decorated and furnished, retaining many of the design features of the larger suites, although there are no doors on the wardrobes due to space restrictions.
We slept well in our comfortable bed and woke up refreshed to the morning sun, glittering on the sea outside our bedroom window. For breakfast we were treated to a healthy picnic on the grass in a pimped VW campervan, a real pleasure before a peaceful stretch in the yoga class. Later in the morning, for complete relaxation, I indulged in one of the range of seven massages on offer – a back, shoulders and head Comfort Massage - an absolutely blissful way to start any day.
Dining at Sol Beach House
All menus are aimed squarely at the health-conscious diner and the breakfast and dinner buffets abound with freshly prepared salads, fruits and vegetables.
For breakfast there is a fine selection to choose from including: fresh fruit, cereals, meat and cheese, pastries, fresh-baked breads, cooked breakfast and smoothies.
At dinner, warm tapas are available, along with a well-stocked salad bar, a selection of hot dishes and meat and veg, which can be lightly wok-fried to your preference.
The menu of the a la carte restaurant continues the healthy theme. For our evening meal we sampled the chef's recommendation of octopus and pepper brochetas, with a green salad containing feta, quinoa, mint and coriander. Many of the dishes are cooked in a Yosper wood oven for extra flavor, and we couldn't resist starting with one of the specials of the day, baked provolone with a tomato and ginger marmalade and a handful of rocket, delicious!
During our meal, a saxophonist entertained us with his renditions of some classic tunes and we rounded it off with a light carrot cake with homemade ice cream. Later in the evening the entertainment moved on to the pool bar where a jazz singer took over.
Peace and tranquility
On the Ibiza coastline it is a rare pleasure to stay in a hotel that is not crowded out by other hotels. At Sol Beach House only pine trees overlook the communal areas and there is a peaceful sense of seclusion all around.
The pool terrace is split over two levels and completely decked with a light planking which feels good underfoot. You can stay cool on the upper terrace or enjoy the sun on the lower pool level. Everything here feels very tranquil and you can laze your day away listening to relaxing music by your favourite crooners.
The upper level is shaded and comfortably furnished. The waiters produce a nice range of cocktails and juices and fitness instructors give Wat Su stretching classes in the shallow pool.
On the lower deck loungers with tropical sunshades and a row of rope hammocks surround a 25m pool. Day beds are available for supplement and they can also be rented by day visitors for a minimum spend of €80.
The absence of a beach is seemingly unimportant, as soft, manicured lawns replace sand and feel great to lie on. However, for those for whom only salt water will suffice, it's only a short stroll, through the pines, to the cute little beach of Ses Estaques.
As a result of the no children policy, the resort is aiming for a healthy clientele ranging from 20 to 50 year olds and is a favourite with yoga retreat organisers. This is born out by the healthy bodies to be seen in the gym and around the pool. The gym is not simply symbolic; it is in regular use throughout the day and is equipped with a free weights area and a good variety of modern Technogym CV and weights machines. Every suite has its own exercise cycle on the balcony. Alternatively, you can take an early morning run on the well-watered and fresh cut lawns.
It is hard not to be enthusiastic about Sol Beach House. It is certainly not a place for die-hard ravers and, if you go there with expectations to party, you will be disappointed. However, it is a must for those who wish to escape from their hectic daily lives by embracing the Ibizan lifestyle. After one of those famous Ibiza nights you will find a refuge in which to unwind away from the madness - revive, refresh and detoxify, before doing it all again. With another 45 junior suites currently under construction for the 2018 season, it is obvious that the appetite for this style of tourism is increasing. For us it was a real effort to leave, as we wanted to stay for just one more day…
PHOTOGRAPHY | Dina Aragón
