Modern Nautical Luxury in Ibiza: The Bold New Sir Joan Hotel
As the birthplace of the rave scene, Ibiza may be synonymous with hedonistic revelry, but in recent years, this former party capital off the coast of Spain has grown up. The island best known for celebrity-packed soirees with paparazzi lurking in the bushes has set a new tone for itself, instituting rules that state parties must end by 6:30 A.M. (the horror!) and courting tech billionaires and prime ministers in place of reality television stars. You can still find wild dance parties at famous clubs like PACHA, but as a more business-like Ibiza emerges, the island’s aesthetic is beginning to shift toward a distinct Mediterranean mix of classic and modern.
The new Sir Joan hotel, a 38-room boutique paradise with a unique faceted exterior, reflects that transformation. The first Spanish property to come from the Sir Hotels hospitality collective, Sir Joan is set right in the city center adjacent to Talamanca Beach, and its design quirks and details pay tribute both to its nautical surroundings and to the island’s untamed artistic legacy.
Architects and interior designers Baranowitz + Kronenberg have created a stunning design scheme that symbolically brings the waters of the sea right into the rooms without relying on kitsch or being too literal. Textured mirrors applied to the walls and ceilings mimic the look of sunlight reflecting on the surface of the water, while round mirrors in the rooms call to mind the portholes of ships. Wood is used extensively and strategically for the effect of being inside a hand-crafted boat, and in common areas like the hotel’s two restaurants, the IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar and THE BUTCHER burger bar, rippled stainless steel ceilings create a sense of movement.
“Sir Joan is rooted in bygone days when free-spirited communities would meet to create music and art in Ibiza,” says the hotelier. “A sensual and highly exclusive retreat for the party animal or quiet introvert alike. The private paradise celebrates a nostalgic era of the island, while catering to the needs of the modern traveler. Each room features a balcony, while the suites have up to three balconies as well as an indoor living area. We also offer two penthouse suites on the top floor, each possessing private balconies encircling the room with outdoor seating areas and a private cabana.”
The rooms are full of hand-picked local sculptures and books and double as galleries for curated collections of art by such Spanish artists as Carlos Irijalba Inercia and Joan Hernández Pijuan. They’re spacious, soundproof, and packed full of luxury goodies like local ayurvedic oils, spa body amenities, and rain showers. It’s not hard to see the allure of taking in views of that sunny triangular pool from your own private balcony with a tropical cocktail in hand. The top floor “Sir Penthouse” suite enjoys 700 square feet of space with its own cocktail bar, a large terrace with an open-air kitchen, and views of the historic Ibiza Old Town.
Rooms start at about $702 USD per night, and if you book at least 21 days in advance between October and February, you’ll get 20 percent off.
All photos by Amit Geron
