CARRER DE JESÚS 28, 07800 SANTA EULÀRIA DES RIU, IBIZA, SPAIN
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Every journey, wherever it may lead, holds the promise of new experiences and encounters — if only we allow them in.
On my way to Ibiza, I had already been seated on the aircraft for a good hour when the beautifully aged lady beside me, somewhere in her early seventies and elegantly wrapped in Chanel and Hermès, asked whether I, too, was flying to Ibiza. I had not, as it happened, planned to leap out en route — although Paris, over which we were just passing, is always worthy of a detour.

The lady explained that her final destination was the neighbouring island of Formentera. With unrestrained enthusiasm, and with a sparkle in her eyes so moving it was almost tear-inducing, she began to describe her deeply personal relationship with the Balearics. In the 1960s, she and her then husband had “discovered” Ibiza in the wake of the hippie movement. What at first sounded faintly like Columbus and Vasco da Gama soon unfolded into a rather beautiful recollection of her «wild years».
Back then, Ibiza was the Mediterranean paradise for all those who wished to live free from constraint and convention — peacefully, openly and with a certain sun-drenched nonchalance. It must have been a very special time for her, for she could scarcely be stopped; her love for the little island was impossible not to understand.
Yet as the years of «post-hippie Ibiza» passed, love between her and her husband evidently became more complicated. After the divorce, they agreed that Formentera would be hers: the island where he had once proposed to her, and where she had given birth to their eldest daughter. She was, however, still permitted to land and depart via Ibiza, she laughed as her story drew to its close.

For me, meanwhile, my first stay on the island awaited. As someone who is half Spanish, I know almost the entire mainland, as well as several of the Balearic and Canary Islands — yet Ibiza had, until now, somehow eluded me. That was about to change. The reason, of course, was a hotel that had caught our attention.
A house of modernity: design-led, yet never aloof; approachable and relaxed, with classical influences meeting contemporary accents.

Join us on this journey as we check in to Ocean Drive Talamanca, set above the bay of the same name, with views across to the old town of Ibiza.

We wish you a most pleasant stay.

Warmly yours,

Martin V. Sampedrano Gonzalez
Editor

From the airport, it is only a 20-minute drive to the bay of Talamanca, our destination on Ibiza. The young Spanish hotel group Ocean Drive Hotels opened its second property on the island only a few years ago. Following the success of the hip Ocean Drive Hotel in Ibiza Town, the group’s decision-makers set a new course towards modern luxury.
In doing so, they came across a well-known, though rather simple, hotel set above Talamanca Bay. After extensive conversion and renovation works, Ocean Drive Talamanca opened its doors — and with it, the group entered new territory on the island.
Modern, light and open: this was the promise of the design concept, and it is precisely how the hotel presents itself today. It is not a classical five-star property; it has a character all of its own. Yet that is no disadvantage. Guests who choose this hotel quickly understand its rhythm and the way it works.
Not one pool, but four smaller pools set across different levels — one of them even on the hotel’s rooftop — invite guests to cool off between sun-drenched moments on the attractive terrace. At a small chiringuito, the Spanish answer to the beach shack, accomplished mixologists prepare cocktails to suit every mood, while relaxed beats drift through the speakers and define the atmosphere.

Inside the public areas, guests find themselves surrounded by contemporary design elements, refined furnishings and high-quality materials with a close connection to nature. These define the open-plan lobby, where reception and lounge flow effortlessly into one another. The reception desk and bar almost merge, creating a wonderfully informal sense of arrival.
As new guests check in, existing residents — already in excellent spirits — raise a glass of cava to greet the newcomers. There is something of a living-room atmosphere here, a relaxed conviviality that gently prepares guests for the easy-going spirit of the entire hotel.
Separated from the lobby only by a light-filled corridor, the intimate main restaurant extends beyond, serving, among other things, a particularly appealing breakfast buffet. Whether seated on the modern chairs indoors or at one of the terrace tables, guests can enjoy the perfect start to the day in a setting that feels bright, stylish and entirely unforced.

The rooms at Ocean Drive Talamanca continue this modern, maritime elegance. Unfussy, open and generously proportioned, the accommodation combines contemporary design, luxurious amenities and a sure sense of style to striking effect. Dressing areas with wood panelling are set apart from the living space; open bathrooms allow guests to look towards the sea while showering; exquisite Etro amenities add a refined Italian note.
Exceptionally comfortable beds dressed in fine linens, along with a generous armchair positioned towards the balcony, invite lingering and repose. From here, the view stretches across Talamanca Bay and onwards to the old town of Ibiza Town.
These rooms belong to the Deluxe Sea View category, and they are also our personal recommendation for a stay at this hotel.

For those seeking an added sense of space and comfort, rooms with private terraces are also available, as are the more generously proportioned Junior Suites and Lofts. The pinnacle of the accommodation offering is found in the two Duplex Suites, each extending across approximately 100 square metres of living space and featuring a balcony adjoining the living room.
Beyond this, these residences offer a private rooftop terrace of some 120 square metres, furnished with comfortable lounge seating and a 15-square-metre pool from which the entire bay can be admired.
All rooms, lofts and suites are defined by their minimalist, understated design, appealing especially to guests who find greater pleasure in purity and practicality than in oversized displays of grandeur.

By evening, the elegant rooftop terrace becomes an atmospheric stage for culinary pleasures served with panoramic views. Fresh ingredients from both sea and land are prepared with creativity and presented with considered flair, while the glittering lights of boats across the bay — or the illuminated silhouette of Ibiza’s old town — provide a setting of effortless romance.
The service is exceptionally attentive, yet pleasingly relaxed. In this, too, the spirit of the house continues seamlessly: polished, personable and wonderfully unforced.

Ocean Drive Talamanca is, in every respect, a hotel that may rightly be described as distinctive. Alongside its exceptionally helpful hosts, particular mention should be made of the privileges extended to guests staying in the Lofts and Suites. These include, for example, the complimentary use of a Smart car for private excursions.
These ultra-modern vehicles — some of them convertibles — are perfectly suited to exploring the island’s many beaches, as well as the small villages and towns of this former hippie stronghold.

A Lasting Impression

Ocean Drive Talamanca is therefore to be warmly recommended to guests seeking an Ibiza stay away from the conventions of the classic grand hotel — those with an appreciation for purist architecture, clean lines and a more contemporary rhythm of travel. Relaxation and lifestyle are very much part of the experience, while culinary pleasures are by no means neglected.

Photography: Ocean Drive Talamanca