How to holiday like a VIP on a budget in Ibiza

Saving up enough cash to pay for a summer trip to Ibiza is a 12-month ordeal.And for most of us, holidaying on the White Isle usually wipes out all of our disposal income. Consequently it's essential to get the most out of every penny we spend.

Thankfully, Ibiza's top superclub venues are now making upgrading affordable for everyone. And it's not just the nightclubs who are getting in on the act. All across the island tired hotels are being hosed down and refurbished. Personal trainers are now on hand to help you tone up at any hour of the day or night. And if you want to drive around the island in a Mustang convertible, you can.

The gritty underground scene remains. But these days so does style and service. And yet even then there's no reason to remortgage the house in order to fashion once in a lifetime memories.

When it comes to elevating your party experience at Ibiza Rocks Hotel, the trick is to round up six of your best buddies, with everyone chipping in to book a daybed for €500. In return, you'll get your own private area, €500's worth of food and drinks credit, full-on event access, table service and high speed wi-fi privileges. When you compare the price of booking a daybed to the cost of buying six door tickets and round of drinks the crazy truth is that there's no difference in price.

www.ibizarocks.com/vip

The new Ford Fiesta is a wonderful little car with great fuel consumption… but hiring one probably isn’t going to define your summer. Instead, club together with your buddies to rent an iconic Ford Mustang convertible with a romping 4.7 litre, V8 engine. All of the cars available from Mustang Adventures have been restored to racing condition with original parts. And if you're thinking of taking your hired ride club hopping, Mustang Adventures will even supply you with a driver so you and your mates can indulge in a spot of boozing without having to worry about the bronze.

www.mustangadventures.com

Quirky, flamboyant and wildly vibrant, this 45-room boutique hotel, located on the very edge of San Antonio's idyllic Sunset Strip, is proving to be a massive hit with holidaymakers who demand an Instagrammable backdrop with their breakfast. Embellished in banana leaf greens and pastel pinks, half Miami-vice, half psychedelic trip, you won’t find anywhere else quite like the Wi-Ki-Woo. But beyond the bright mish-mash design, the Wi-Ki-Woo boasts more than just a pretty face. The service, food and cocktails are just as impressive. And it's this hot fusion of mad style and sane service that's generating dream-holiday moments for the thousands of party kids visiting Ibiza this summer.

www.wikiwoohotelibiza.com

With upscale eateries popping up in fashionable destinations all across the planet, it was just a matter of time until this decadent steak-lovers restaurant brought its distinctive flavour to Ibiza. Located in the trendy Marina Botafoch district of Ibiza Town, STK Ibiza oozes glamour without disregarding its sense of fun. It’s a place to get dressed up to the nines for dinner, before letting your hair down on the dancefloor afterwards. The high energy vibe is completely unpretentious - don’t be surprised to see performers jumping up on the tables mid-service - and the whole show is matched with impeccable service. Yummy.

www.stkibiza.com

Even today, with all the different entertainment options available to holidaymakers, Ibiza's world famous sunset remains its most jaw-dropping attraction. To really enhance your sunset experience drop into Café del Mar for a sunset cocktail or three. Café del Mar resident and island favourite Ken Fan will take you on a sonic journey from sunset until the early hours, dropping everything from Balearic beats to Romanian deep tech. Plus, Luciano and Sven Väth often host their pre-parties here, so you can get up close and personal with the hottest DJs in the game for the price of a beer.

www.cafedelmaribiza.es

If you consider clublife on San Antonio's Sunset Strip a little too upfront, head north to Hostel La Torre for your twilight kicks. Nestled against the high cliffs of Cap Negret, a mile or so from Cala Gracioneta beach, Hostel La Torre is charming, peaceful and quintessentially Ibiza. If you're looking to generate romantic, time-honoured White Isle memories this summer, Hostal La Torre is most definitely the place. The sunset views here are on par with anything San Antonio has to offer, but they don't come at a pricey premium. After all, you can always order a couple of cold cañas and a grilled vegetable sandwich to share for less than €20.

www.latorreibiza.com

Looking good and staying healthy is imperative, especially in Ibiza, where it's impossible to conceal the fact that your gym membership has expired. If you need to tone up before hitting Ibiza's best beaches and beach clubs, contact White Isle fitness guru Cee Bwell. Cee is a certified personal trainer specialising in functional and core strength training. His clients vary from holidaying tourists, top-tier DJs, club dancers and wayward hedonists who crave a little discipline in their lives. Cee can travel to you or you can visit him at his villa in Santa Getrudis where he runs his boot camp retreats. Can Cee, which comfortably houses 10 guests, is also available for private hire.

Message Cee at [email protected] to request a fitness session or to book Can Cee.

Finding a quiet space on Ibiza's best beaches can be tough in peak season. Likewise in the water, where you'll often find thousands of tourist wearing snorkel masks splashing around, sullying the tranquillity. The only answer, of course, is to club together with a group of your bestest mates to hire your own boat. If you book with Ibiza Concierge, expect to spend seven hours out at sea, with premium booze, food and fuel all including for around €130 per person.

WhatsApp Ricky on: +44 7943 877 098 or check out www.facebook.com/ibizaconciergecompany for more information.

If you're visiting Ibiza for a wedding it makes sense to get your hair trimmed before the big day. At Alchemist you can take your mates with you and turn what is often a chore into a bona-fide bibulous experience. Alongside all the usual haircutting paraphernalia you'll also find a vintage clothes rail, a kitchen dishing up hot food and a fully stocked bar serving ice cold cocktails. You might even bump into a few familiar faces during your visit, including world famous DJs, island promoters and known business folk. Alchemist also offer a premium package for groomsmen, which includes whiskey, haircuts, wet shaves and cigars.

To book an appointment send a WhatsApp message to: + 34 683 556 307

Make-up artist Sheena O'Brien has been working full time in Ibiza for the last five years. Her clients range from bridal parties who need fixing-up for their big day, as well as groups of friends heading out to one of the many day parties taking place across the island. So call Sheena to your hotel or villa and get brushed up beneath the air-con, safe in the knowledge that the girls at Muse only use cruelty free vegan products. Nice.

www.musemakeupibiza.com

This exclusive salon, located in a beautiful villa on the outskirts of Santa Gertrudis, specialises in a variety of eyebrow microblading treatments, semi permanent make up for lips, spray tanning and more. Arch's client list reads like a who's who of the Ibiza club scene, as well as visiting soccer WAGs and movie stars requiring a quick polish before they head off to Ushuaïa, Pacha and Beso Beach. Arch also offer a mobile service for VIP clients who simply refuse to leave the comfort of their penthouse suites.

To book an appointment send a WhatsApp message to: + 44 7715 973 201

The beaches in San Antonio Town are fine for a quick dip, but they're not particularly aspirational. To really meld with the cosmic vibe of the island take a bus or a taxi to Cala Salada, then make the short hike over the rocks until you come to arguably the most jaw-dropping beach on the island, the idyllic Cala Saladeta. The water here is crystal clear and you won't find a single jagged rock to mash-up your manicured toes. But even more importantly, perhaps, the shoreline is served daily by a sun-dried posse of beach bums hell-bent on selling you freshly made sandwiches and ice cold mojitos. All you have to do is laze back like the rest of us and hand over another €5 note when you require your next dark rum-inspired refreshment.

Linea 34 connects San Antonio bus station to Cala Salada.

Those of you who prefer a little more adventure at the beach are advised to make Cala Comte your first port of call. But before you hit the water it goes without saying that you must acquire a special full-face snorkel mask, which you can buy from Decathlon, as well as lots of other outlets on the island. Once you have your snorkel gear paid for, round up your mates and paddle out into the Mediterranean to swim with the locals fishes, safe in the knowledge that you've just circumvented the fat fees charged by the island's many VIP dive companies.

Linea 4 connects San Antonio bus station to Cala Comte.

Get your mask via Decathlon

Before flying out to explore the best rave dens Ibiza has to offer, it makes sense to acquire the best techno-inspired clothing you can. Otherwise you won't look very important on your party snaps. Now a firm favourite with DJs and clubbers alike, Acid87's cotton t-shirts and festival garments have become a major staple on Ibiza's best dancefloors. Top-tier DJs repping the Acid87 look this summer include CamelPhat, Solardo, Heidi and Richy Amhed. Buy online before you travel or seek out Zero Six West Clothing in San Antonio. You'll also find Acid87 gear vending in Ibiza's airport departure lounge.

www.acid87.co.uk

Originally starting out in the UK, hosting private shindigs in manor houses for ‘friends and friends of friends’, this intimate villa-party-style experience took the White Isle by storm last summer. In 2019, Shhh… are set to host a limited series of pop-up parties at secret locations around the island, from luxury hotels to sun-licked beach clubs. The first of these took place recently at the mother of all lavish boutique venues, the hidden, hedonistic house of fun that is Pikes Hotel. On the dancefloor, expect a harmonious blend of island heritage and hot right now, as Balearic beats intermingle with elegant house music classics.

To request guestlist head to Pikes' website.

For invitations to future Shhh… events sign-up at shhhclub.co.uk

And if all that sounds like too much hassle, the final option is to get a concierge company to sort out everything on your behalf. Taste Ibiza are a clued-up crew of Ibiza experts who know the island inside out. When it comes to insider tips and knowledge their understanding of the island is second to none, which means calling on them to arrange your bookings, accommodation and reservations will allow you to sit back and savour the best bits of your holiday without stressing over the details. Taste Ibiza cater for every budget and they’re totally impartial, which means they won't recommend a party or pad unless it’s tried, tested and A-list approved.

www.tasteibiza.com

Johnny Lee is freelance journalist and Mixmag's Ibiza correspondent

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