Regarded by many to be in the top echelons of hospitality worldwide, the world-famous Hacienda Na Xamena hotel has been an important part of Ibiza’s overall allure for many decades. Indeed, for many years, it reigned supreme as the island’s only true 5-star residence.
Needless to say, the invitation to stay for the night and sample the hotel's latest innovation at the Eden Restaurant and Lounge, Los Nidos, was graciously accepted!
It’s hard to imagine there was ever a grand plan for the Hacienda Na Xamena, sitting as it does on a cliff edge near the Port of San Miguel. It was not conceived on a draughtsman’s flat sheet of paper. Rather it has evolved organically over decades, fitting in harmoniously with the surrounding nature and architectural style.
The pool area is gorgeous and the perfect place to unwind in the sunshine. There is rarely a raised voice, and the staff service is discreet yet attentive. With no traffic, there is little background noise to be heard other than the cheerful chatter of a colony of sparrows who have taken up residence in the imperious stone defence tower that is the centrepiece of the construction.
Overlooking the pool is the Eden Restaurant - a hanging garden of delights that offers a taster menu which showcases the skills of the hotel's chefs and the quality of the produce from the hotel's kitchen garden.
Highlight of our trip was ascending the winding stairways to enjoy pre-dinner drinks and tapas at Los Nidos, a unique cocktail bar high up in the sky. Woven from branches into six sociable nests on the roof of the Eden restaurant, you have the real sensation of being on top of the mountain with an eagle-eye 360-degree view.
To begin the gastronomic part of our pilgrimage, Los Nidos served us a trio of fun and tasty tapas to calm our appetites, whilst we awaited the end of the day.
We were lucky to catch any idyllic sunset, our star dipping precisely between the shoulders of the two cliffs. Luckily, Na Xamena’s mixologists have devised the fabulous Equilibrium cocktail for precisely this moment. With blueberry-infused gin, blue curacao, aniseed and red fruits, the colours and flavours align precisely with the evening sky.
You do not need to be a hotel guest to reserve this uniquely romantic experience, as it is available for private hire. So, if you’re looking for a very special evening among the treetops to wow your family or loved ones as a prelude to dinner in the classy Eden restaurant, we cannot recommend it highly enough.
As the evening darkened to night, we dropped below into the luxurious and verdant Eden Restaurant, where we dined on the very best of Spanish cuisine. We enjoyed one of Spain’s most juicy and flavourful pork loin dishes, Presa Iberica, and some filets of fresh sea bass with a selection of fine vegetables, all lovingly prepared. Even the humble mashed potato was out of this world!
To top off an evening of pure indulgence, we shared a dessert of chocolate, praline and cheese ice cream whilst drinking in more of the wonderful view.
On the drive up north, we wondered whether Hacienda Na Xamena could still live up to its reputation for capturing the essence and magic of Ibiza. We can unequivocally confirm that it does!
Those searching for true detachment and tranquillity on this island, as well as a genuinely satisfying gastronomic experience, will be amazed to discover this haven. Although our stay was brief, we still left feeling happy, invigorated, and uplifted by the experience.
One day, we must come back to try out those cascading pools…
