Ibiza 2014: The essential guide

So you have booked your trip to Ibiza and are trying to seek out the must-do activities and events from the expansive selection on offer.  To make things a little easier for you we have put together a short bible of the islands best places to stay, soak up some rays and party this summer.  Fetch yourself a cocktail (we are celebrating summer after all) and prepare to take some notes.

First up where to stay.

The main resorts on the island are San Antonio and Playa d’en Bossa.  If you opt for San An then you should definitely have a look at the brand new THB Ocean Beach Hotel.  Sitting adjacent to the popular pool party venue the THB Ocean Beach Hotel is right on the San Antonio beach at the point where the town meets the bay with beautiful ocean views by day, and the privileged Balearic sunset at dusk..  This means it is at the slightly quieter end of the resort but is still within a couple of minutes walk from beach front bars like Linekars and the huge superclubs Es Paradis & Gatecrasher Ibiza (formerly Eden).

Playa D’en Bossa is located on the opposite side of Ibiza close to Ibiza town and the airport.  The past couple of years have seen a massive amount of redevelopment in this resort like the Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza which opened its doors just a few weeks ago.  Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza is home to a Spa, outdoor auditorium as well as some of the most exclusive and lavish accommodations in the med.  You will find Hard Rock next door to Ushuaia and around the corner from the world-famous Space nightclub.

To catch a tan.

Aside from partying in some of the worlds best nightclubs, Ibiza has plenty to offer during the daytime hours.  If some serious chill out time is your wish think of heading to the beach at Cala d’Hort.  Found at the bottom of a rolling green hill this is one of Ibiza’s most magical and laidback beaches that is popular with families and young couples.

If you want to kick back, enjoy fine food and lounge by the pool in a beautiful setting then Nikki Beach Ibiza should be your port of call.  Located in a magnificent beachfront setting near Santa Eulalia on the island’s glittering East coast which is famed for its palm-lined promenade, sandy beaches and an exclusive yacht marina, the area has a long-established reputation for offering a more relaxed pace than other parts of the island, as well as a thriving gastronomic and cultural offering.  This year they have a calendar of exciting events planned including the Champagne Sunday Brunch making Nikki Beach Ibiza a must-visit for party goers and sun seekers alike.

For the party lovers out there who are not content with cutting shapes all night long fear not as Ocean Beach Ibiza offer a daytime party from lunchtime right through into the night.  A big favourite with celebrities and the Ibiza party crew, Ocean Beach is located in San Antonio.  The daily pool parties with DJ’s like Colin Francis, Miguel Campbell and Joey Negro feature some not to be missed acrobatics and surprises.  The cocktails are not be missed either.

Live your life and Party.

No trip to Ibiza is complete without taking in the legendary sunrise.  Head to Cafe Mambo in San Antonio early evening and bag yourself a good spot of alternatively grab a seat at Cafe del Mar and enjoy the chilled vibes as the day comes to a close.  A genuinely beautiful moment as the sun vanishes into the horizon and the crowds applaud the beginning of an Ibiza night.

Given the size of Ibiza you are absolutely spoiled for choice as far as nightlife goes.  Some of the most famous and original nightclub franchises on the planet were established here.  Many of which are still going strong but are being joined each season by a new breed of challengers.  One of such that arrived with a bang a few years ago was Ushuaia.  A new concept that is slightly more Las Vegas than traditional Ibiza but one that has proven to be a massive crowd puller.  The party here kicks off late afternoon and goes on until midnight and features some of the biggest names on the island.  This year the line up includes Hardwell, Avicii, Guetta and Armin Van Buuren.  Expect big budget, big production and a very big buzz around this venue.

Of course at midnight in Ibiza things are just warming up so if you want to stay in Playa d’en Bossa we suggest heading to Sankeys an offshoot of the famous Manchester venue.  The club had already crafted a name for itself as a vibrant platform for underground dance music.  This year you can expect to see the likes of Duke Dumont, Danny Tenaglia and Audiofly on the decks.

My final shout is probably my favourite Ibiza night and in my opinion an absolute must do.  Cream is the longest running UK club night and this year they celebrate their 20th anniversary in Ibiza.  Taking place on Thursday nights at Amnesia, Cream attract an array of exclusive performances and high calibre residencies from the likes of Calvin Harris, Steve Angello, Paul van Dyk and Laidback Luke.  Always one of the busiest nights of the week so be prepared for that!

That should be enough to wet your whistle for the time being but if you have any top tips or must-do ideas of your own leave them in a comment below.