Why Ibiza?
Whilst many UK holidaymakers travel to Ibiza to enjoy the sun, beaches and the infamous nightlife, Ibiza is also a traditional island which is easy to travel around and offers a wealth of excellent facilities for families.
With sheltered bays and calm waters, shady picnic spots, country villages, natural parks, wonderful restaurants and a rich cultural heritage, Ibiza has something for every age group and with excellent flight connections from the UK, it’s a fantastic option for a family holiday.
Where to stay
Opening in spring 2015, Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa is one of the most anticipated new openings of the year which together with neighbouring property Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa will form the largest hotel complex in Ibiza.
Sister property of Ibiza’s iconic Ushuaïa Ibiza Beach Hotel, this new five-star family-friendly hotel will offer stylish accommodation with spacious suites and ample family facilities including a large freshwater swimming pool with an integrated Jacuzzi, tennis courts, a kids splash pool, Balinese sun loungers, several kids clubs and access to the state-of-the-art Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness Centre (for the mums and dads).
Boasting ultra-modern décor and a Mediterranean design as well as a privileged location nestled between the white sand beach of Playa d’en Bossa and the Ses Salines Nature Reserve, the property offers a number of water sports activities as well as the chance to soak up the Spanish sunshine or take a walk through the Ses Salines salt lakes.
Nearby, families can enjoy a number of attractions such as Ibiza’s historic centre Dalt Vila, a treasure trove of history and mystery, or Aguamar Water Park, packed full of water slides and chutes, as well as play zones for the younger children and plenty of areas to relax.
Wish you were here? StayYNA’s gorgeous Villa Can Felix
Alternatively, if you’d rather stay somewhere that offers a more home-from-home experience, Villa Can Felix may just tick all of the boxes. This five bed, four bath villa, available for rent from Stay YNA lies in Ibiza’s countryside just up the hill from the small village of Forada. It’s the ideal spot for vacationers who want to be truly secluded during their stay, as well as families who would prefer to be able to cook their own meals and not be disturbed by other guests.
Forada itself is a small village, but it has plenty of food and drink available should you require it. There’s a nice tapas bar in the village which is open every day except for Mondays. A local food market crops up on a Saturday from 10am – 4pm selling everything from meats and vegetables to local cuisines. There’s also a paella stall which is highly recommended. Those with access to a car will also find the larger town of San Rafael. Located just a five minute drive away, the town has more amenities and restaurants. Ibiza Town is a 20 minute drive away from the villa.
Activities
Swimming
As well as the warm Mediterranean ocean directly facing the hotel, Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa will feature a large freshwater pool with an integrated Jacuzzi and Balinese-style sun loungers. Guests will also have access to the two vast outdoor pools at the next door Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa as well as the kids’ splash pool and the Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness centre with facilities including a water circuit with a heated pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath.
Sports
As well as swimming and water sports, the complex will offer a fully equipped sports centre comprising a gymnasium, a multi-purpose sports court, a pool table, five tennis courts, boules, volleyball and darts.
Kid’s clubs and babysitting
The complex’s outdoor facilities and services are completed with a varied entertainment offering which includes a children’s playground and several kids’ clubs with a full all-day programme to entertain the real stars of the family. A team of trained professionals are responsible for livening up the holiday for children with various activities taking place throughout the day at the Mini Club for the younger ones and the Black & White Junior Club for children over nine, complete with video consoles, and an interactive tech zone offering Wiis, PlayStations and a ‘mini-cinema’.
Babysitting services are also available on request so that the mums and dads can enjoy some of the many fantastic nearby restaurants.
Where to eat
The complex will house a new buffet-style restaurant at the Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa offering show cooking and themed culinary evenings complemented with a large selection of the best local and international wines. In addition to snack bars and a cafe, neighbouring Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa currently offers great gastronomic experiences ranging from buffet-style restaurants La Sal (lunch and dinner) and the beachside Portofino (lunch), to three themed restaurants for evening meals; Il Palazzo (Italian), La Doña (Mexican) and Portofino (Mediterranean).
For those looking to venture offsite, Ibiza Town (or Eivissa to the locals) is just 5km away and can easily be reached by bus or taxi.
The lowdown
Visit www.palladiumhotelgroup.com
For all inclusive packages with flights and transfers from the UK, visit www.thomson.co.uk