All types of holiday can be had on Ibiza. Many want the the hustle and bustle of a resort, many want splendid isolation. Checking into the wonderfully quirky Boutique Hostal Salinas gives you the best of both worlds, where a genuine holiday feeling comes over you.
Set in the beautiful Las Salinas Natural Park, you have birdsong, the dreamy salt flats and the gorgeous beach of Las Salinas. That and it's close enough to Playa d'en Bossa and Ibiza Town when you need their amenities, yet you feel a world away. I went with my wife to check out this much-loved place to stay.
After a generous welcome drink with cheerful co-owner Duesi, it was time to drop our bags in the room. Staying here, you can always expect to be taken care of in a special way, like you were one of the family. Our air-conditioned room was nice and fresh with a large balcony overlooking wooded countryside. The comfortable mattress passed its first test and the walk-in shower was perfect to freshen up before getting out to explore the local area.
FIRST STOP BEFORE THE ADVENTURE
First pitstop - our charming room before heading out on our adventure
Being in this little oasis of nature, you'll find there's plenty around you and a nicer more chilled pace of holiday life. First on our agenda was a visit to the local pop-up art exhibition at the La Nave cultural centre, a few hundred metres up the road.
This year's installation by pioneering audiovisual artist, Bill Viola, with free admission, runs until the end of September. Bill's mesmerising visio represents human bodies being consumed by the elements of fire, liquid and plasma, all projected on to a ten-metre high screen. An amazing visual feast.
paradise found
Heading onto a quiet Las Salinas beach early evening
After a leisurely stroll along the practically deserted beach, we finally made it to the legendary Sa Trinxa chiringuito to down a couple of cold, frothy beers and to catch the last few quintessentially Balearic tunes of the day.
In the receding evening twilight, we watched the silhouettes of a group of beautiful young girls, posing on the silvery water's edge, come to life with the beats. Under the first celestial bodies of the night, we wandered back hand in hand and reflected on how lucky we were to be in this wonderful paradise.
We returned to find the Hostal illuminated by vivid projections and music being played by local friends and collaborators, who each took turns to play the mellow tunes. In character with the open and friendly service of owners Anita, Duesi and David, it is no surprise that this unconventional residence attracts a clientele with an interesting story to tell. You will always find someone willing to chat while leaning on the bar at Boutique Hostal Salinas and this night was no exception.
A place where anyone can drop in for food or drinks from the excellent restaurant
A romantic, candlelit dinner for two followed next in the Hostal's excellent restaurant, comprising of a caprese salad, with three types of tomato, a ceviche and a grilled sea bass all dishes were happily shared and accompanied by some spiced rum with ginger beer. The food here bears the Galician flair of its chef, is very tasty, filling and reasonably-priced too. You really don't have to wander far for great honest cuisine.
Dinner was followed by a typically liquid and jovial chat with owners Dusi and Anita and an assorted mix of locals, friends and guests. Eventually the sound of laughter replaced the music as we chatted late into the night. We finally decided it was time to turn in after yet another bottle of Can Rich hierbas had been sacrificed on the alter of hospitality.
Morning glories
An early morning dip with few spectators
Early next morning, we rose to take a refreshing pre-breakfast dip in the shallow, still bay of Las Salinas. At this time the beach was practically deserted and the bath-warm water helped to clear some of the fuzz from the late night before. The shimmering sunlight playing on the waters edge drew us once again toward the far end of the beach, for a dive from the little pier.
We headed back through the dunes as the beach began to rapidly fill with its new intake of pleasure seekers and the shade of the pines helped us to escape the already rising morning heat. One of the best things about staying at Boutique Hostal Las Salinas is the fact that you get this breathtaking place pretty much to yourselves early morning and late evening. It is a true delight of staying here.
Breakfast coffee with love, croissants and happy moments
We made it back to the Hostal in time for a relaxed continental breakfast, made with love and laid out by the smiling Jabyby, with his impressive Mohican and beard. We filled our fresh croissants with ham and cheese and washed them down with some deliciously creamy coffees and juices.
Sadly, the demands of normal daily life were calling to us and it was with heavy hearts that we were forced to snap back to reality and check out early, just before midday. But, once in the car, we immediately began chuckling at the happy memories of the past 24 hours.
All this is the true magic of a stay at Boutique Hostal Salinas, one which attracts guests to return year after year - find out for yourselves!
