Review: Cubanito Ibiza | Daily Telegraph
Published by telegraph.co.uk, June 2018
"A Cuban-inspired concept hotel on Ibiza’s west coast, this place that evokes all the haziness of Havana on a hot, tropical night: upbeat, bustling and snazzy in equal measure. The rooftop bar’s sunset view is a contender for best on the island."
Location
The hotel is a five-minute stroll from Cala Gració, one of San Antonio’s most popular beaches; the town centre is a 10-minute walk in the opposite direction. Ibiza town is 20 minutes away by car, with the airport a further five. If you want to explore Ibiza’s craggy but beautiful coastline, there’s a lovely pathway leading all the way to sunset strip, just seconds from the hotel.
Style & character
An enticing mish-mash of colonial and Art Deco styles. Both the mint-hued exterior and chess board-tiled interior are visually very impressive – there’s all the chi chi of Havana here with none of the decay. Inside, Cuba’s musical verve has been captured brilliantly: photos of Cuban music maestros hang on walls; there’s a piano in reception and maracas on the front desk; and the infectious beats of a Latin-heavy soundtrack come wafting from the pool area through the open-air lobby. There’s an attention to detail that makes it feel quite authentic; consequently, there’s a cheerful feel to the place, and you get the impression that it wouldn’t take much for all the fun bubbling beneath the surface to explode, given the right mambo rhythm.
Service & facilities
In true Havana style, the rooftop bar is standout. Not only thanks to panoramic views of that famous Balearic sunset but also because there’s a wide range of cocktails, and of course, mojitos. In peak summer expect plenty of events, salsa lessons and yoga classes to crop up here. There’s a small pool surrounded by billowing banana palms and sorbet-coloured sun loungers, and Little Havana, a bar selling classic Cuban cigars and bottles of Caribbean rum. Staff members are keen to please.
Rooms
Each of the 31 rooms is named in relation to an aspect of Cuba (music venues on the first floor, cities on the second, beaches on the third). The décor in each is uniform and equal parts archaic and romantic: you can picture Hemingway writing prose here, humid brow fanned by the overhead ceiling fan. Salmon-coloured walls are accented by brushed wooden furniture, gold hanging lampshades, and retro Marshall radios, plus there’s a pastel-hued kitchenette with Smeg appliances. In the bathroom there’s palm frond wallpaper and bronze rainforest showers. At night, noise seems to travel well in the corridors – request a quieter room if you’re not planning to be swept up by summer play.
Food & drink
A light buffet breakfast of fruit, pastries, cereal, coffee and juice is included with some rooms, or on the day is an additional €14 (£12). A selection of sandwiches, salads and other snacks are available at the bar. The cocktail list is great, featuring lots of old favourites alongside new creations and oodles of rum.
