The welcome
I’m picked up from Ibiza airport in a new, customised white Range Rover, for the 22-kilometre drive to the hotel on the north-east coast. The drive takes about half an hour and is smooth if unspectacular. Check-in is done in the room and without fuss.
The neighbourhood
The hotel is the last large property on the north-east coast and comes after the rather forgettable resort of Santa Eulalia. North of the hotel is a relatively unspoilt stretch of coast, filled only with campsites, nudist zones and the odd beachside restaurant. South of the hotel, to Santa Eulalia, the coastline has more hotels, but, again, the pine-clad coast features small dirt paths and decent scenery. The adjoining beaches are pleasant but not standout.
The scene
This hotel is an upgraded Melia property, with a stylish, mostly white finish. Think ceiling fans, coffee-table books on fashion, travel and architecture and a lot of white linen. Most of the communal areas, such as the lobby, restaurants and spa, are open-air, giving it a beach-villa feel. Next door (and part of the same company) is the similarly restrained Nikki Beach club. You’re miles away from the heavy clubbing scene, but, in keeping with Ibiza’s party scene, fairly loud lounge music is played by the resident DJs most of the time, though it doesn’t feel antisocial and the crowd is fairly sophisticated, controlled and broad in age range. Visitors are mostly European. There’s none of the out-of-control behaviour that you might find in the clubs for which the island is famous, although some of the guests look as if they’ve seen a few parties in their time.
The room
There are 205 rooms in eight categories, and mine is “Mode”, halfway up according to the hotel’s scale. It has wood effect floors and a mostly white interior. I like the design, and it has a terrace, but I’m on the first floor, and directly over the DJ’s speakers, so I can hear music until at least midnight, even with the windows closed. There’s no bath, but everything works well. The natural Apivita toiletries are lovely, and sun cream is provided.
The service
Dozens of white-cotton-clad staff are friendly and attentive. Laura, one of the concierges, is an Ibiza native and very helpful.
The food
The breakfast buffet is an attractive but fairly average spread of fruit, cheese, cold cuts, breads, juices and hot items. Salt & Sea, the hotel’s all-day Mediterranean restaurant, offers soup, salad, pasta and pizza. There’s an authentic pizza oven and a pizza chef from Naples; pizzas from €12 (Dh59). The cool pea soup with ricotta (€9; Dh44) is especially good. On the roof, Pez Playa restaurant specialises in seafood; the charcoal-grilled snapper with potatoes and peppers (€27; Dh133) is great.
Loved
The upbeat atmosphere and stylish decor.
Hated
My massage in the rooftop spa was disappointing.
The verdict
A good place to stay if you want luxury, style, and an upbeat vibe without all the associated problems.
The bottom line
Double rooms at ME Ibiza (www.melia.com; 0034 971 330051) cost from €127 (Dh626) per night, room only, in off-peak season, including taxes. The hotel is open until November 1, when it closes until April 15, 2015.
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