Review: Sir Joan, Ibiza | Daily Telegraph
Published by telegraph.co.uk, August 2017
"Sir Joan, the first Spanish member of the Sir Hotels family (already renowned for luxury properties in Amsterdam and Berlin), is spicing up Ibiza's shores with a splash of urban sophistication. Unabashedly decadent, it's a hotspot for wealthy, carefree creatives."
Location
Sir Joan's proximity to so many of Ibiza's most renowned elements – beaches, nightlife, quality restaurants – really sets it apart. It's within spitting distance of Ibiza Marina, a playground for the rich and famous, while remaining just a short 10-minute stroll from the twinkling lights and lively hum of Ibiza town (you can see Dalt Vila towering in the distance from front-facing balconies), and the nearest beach, Talamanca, a long stretch of golden sand ardently loved by locals.
While this is all excellent, the hotel's actual location overlooking a busy roundabout is unfortunate, particularly when trying to chill by the pool. The airport is a 10-minute drive away.
Style & character
There could be cries of pretentious chichi here but actually, gleaming aesthetics are backed up with substance. Interiors come courtesy of highly acclaimed design duo Baranowitz + Kronenberg – masterminds behind several other Sir outlets, and the result is interiors that sing.
The lobby bordering the hotel bar and adjoining restaurant, Izakaya, is decked out in earthy tones, marbled patterns and polished steel, while nods to the hotel's creative clientele can be spotted in stylish coffee table books strewn here and there (only to be read in between frantically replying to emails, of course), walls adorned with Spanish artworks, and a programme of cutting edge musical events.
The hotel attracts an achingly cool, clued-up crowd happy to parade round the pool in barely-there outfits at any time of day or night.
Service & facilities
The hotel is home to two outstanding restaurants, Izakaya and The Butcher. The sleek, triangular pool is small and lined by luxurious cabanas, though any efforts to relax are scuppered by the sound of passing traffic – it can be very noisy. There's a carefully curated collection of services headed by hand-picked local experts (kayaking and horse-riding feature), plus a spa and beauty menu for treatments in your room.
In spite of a palpable desire to please, glamorous staff members emanate a laid-back vibe – the reception desk sits next to the bar and you're greeted with friendly smiles rather than formal greetings. Naturally, everyone is impeccably dressed, often teetering around in heels or dressed in a suit and tie. Thankfully, comfort takes precedence over pomp, so the majority of your requests will have been pre-empted – for anything else, just ask and it's whipped up sharpish.
Rooms
Baranowitz + Kronenberg drew influences from Ibiza's maritime heritage, so each of the stylish 38 rooms and suites has walnut wood floors married with ocean blues, bronze hues and pummelled, steel surfaces that glimmer like rippling waves when caught by light. Beds are dressed with Egyptian cotton sheets and there's a pillow menu or a well-stocked (and eye-wateringly expensive) minibar for the restless – take your pick.
Every room has a balcony, blackout blinds and is soundproofed, so as long as your balcony doors are closed noise from Izakaya is audible but kept to a minimum. There are two penthouse suites on the top floor with 360-degree views of the island, and a lofty price tag to boot.
Bathrooms are kitted out in white marble, with rain head showers and Dead Clean toiletries.
Food & drink
Amsterdam-based Izakaya connects to the hotel bar on the ground floor, serving a range of petite Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes, designed with sharing in mind. The sashimi and soft shell crab sushi are standout, as is anything from the traditional Robata grill. Then there's another Amsterdam favourite, The Butcher, which with a separate entrance to the hotel serves award-winning Aberdeen Angus burgers for up-all-night hedonists, daily from midday until 8am.
Breakfast isn't included, and at €39 (£36) it isn't cheap, but it's probably the most extensive, not to mention delicious, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free selection you'll find on the island. Choose from a comprehensive buffet that includes fresh juices, non-dairy milks, organic fruit and freshly made pastries, then tuck into poached eggs from the à la carte menu.
