A PERFECT IBIZAN HIDEAWAY...

Any of you who follow my Instagram, will know that Mr. W and I returned a week or so ago from ten days away in beautiful Ibiza.  It was our first visit to the island and it did not disappoint.

Renowned for its famous clubs and party scene mainly in the south and west, the rest of the island could not be more different we were told.  Now Mr. W and I are the first to like a good party, but for a relaxing restorative trip, we were eager to check out the quieter unspoilt parts of this beautiful Balearic island.  Our research pointed us in the direction of a small boutique hotel in the north/west called 'Es Coucons'.  Reviews were wonderful, but even they did not prepare us for quite the delight in finding somewhere so unbelieveably special!

Set within a Unesco protected valley of almond and olive groves, Es Cucons was originally a farmhouse built in 1652, which was rescued by delightful owner Maria and her family in 1997.  Working painstakingly with Spanish heritage authorities, they restored the farmhouse and outbuildings and sympathetically turned them in to the wonderful little hotel it is today.  

Welcoming just forty guests at a time, the atmosphere was calm and private.  With two suites in the main farmhouse, other lovely rooms were in the surrounding outbuildings.  Beautifully restored, keeping all original beams and mellow stone internal walls, but with all the comforts of a five star boutique hotel and little personal touches throughout with the use of antiques and local artisan objét. Understated luxury at its best.

The pretty gardens surrounding the pool had various lovely seating areas dotted around....perfect for breakfast or to sit in the shade quietly and read or snooze.  

The owner Maria certainly had a wonderful sense of style, and the interiors and exterior were beautifully put together with a mix of boho, retro and a little injection of industrial style that just seemed to work perfectly in harmony together.  I was in design heaven!  

Pretty touches everywhere....

Fresh oranges picked daily from the garden for our morning breakfast juice....

Day beds to relax on and inviting corners to sit quietly with a book...

Beautiful Bourganvillia...

Picked each day to fill pretty bottles to hang from the trees!

How lovely to discover that owner Maria had set up a small shop in the hotel and a larger one in the nearby village.  Selling beautiful clothes, art and interior accessories...let's just say that a few little bits and pieces made their way home with me!

It was hard to drag ourselves away from our perfect oasis as you can imagine, but when we did venture out, we were rewarded by breathtaking scenery as we drove along the mountain roads. We explored the fantastic hippy markets selling a huge array of beautiful things including lovely Ibizan organic cotton clothes, baskets nad handmade jewellery.  We discovered beautiful little coves, and found wonderful seafood restaurants with glorious views.

This delicious meal of Salt baked Cod with cliff top views was certainly a memorable meal....

Much of the produce on Ibiza is organic, including the wine.....the most wonderful tomato salad with burrata...my favourite!

The freshest sardines and prawns....

Yet again, overlooking the ocean.  Just idyllic!

Stunning sunsets...

Beautiful tucked away beaches without the crowds...

Beautiful architecture in Old Town Ibiza...

We explored it all!

Each evening returning to beautiful 'Es Cucons' and the magical view from our own terrace to admire the view over a pre dinner drink...

We absolutely loved Ibiza!  Such and friendly island with so much beauty in its countryside and coastline.  Overall very Spanish, but with also an interesting mix of other cultural influences, reflected especially in the wonderful food.

We certainly needed to do a few extra lengths of the pool to work some very memorable meals off!

Thank you to the wonderful friendly staff at beautiful Es Cucons (click for link) for making our stay so very special.  An absolute gem of a place, and we shall most definitely return!

Sophia xx