To most travellers nowadays, it’s clear that Ibiza isn’t just about super clubs. Harking back to its original legacy in the 1970s as a destination for hippies and spiritualists, the Balearic island attracts people looking for relaxation and rejuvenation, just as much as an all-nighter on a sweaty dancefloor. And now there is a welcoming retreat for families with children of all ages that doesn’t compromise on the White Isle’s bohemian magic. Meet Petunia, a boutique bolthole in the heart of the Cala d’Hort nature reserve, which has opened its doors to kids this season.
The property is one of the newest additions to the stylish French hotel group Beaumier, whose portfolio also includes Insta-favourite Les Roches Rouges near Nice, and a trio of postcard-perfect Provence hotels.
Where?
Petunia occupies arguably the best plot in Ibiza, sheltered from all the hustle and bustle on the south-west coast of the island facing Es Vedrà, a 400-metre-high limestone rock that juts out of the glittering Mediterranean sea. It is allegedly the third-most magnetic point on Earth (after the Bermuda Triangle and the North Pole).
The mystical views from the hotel are extraordinary and you’ll hear the words, “It just doesn’t look real,” multiple times during your stay as you stroll from breakfast on the terrace to yoga classes overlooking the sea and sunbathing by the pool.
Despite being only a 25-minute drive from the airport and Ibiza’s iconic nightlife, Petunia has the feel of an intimate hideaway, with winding paths cushioned by brightly coloured blooms (including shocking pink bougainvillaea, and, of course, petunias), and shaded by swaying palm fronds. Three full-time gardeners work to keep the immaculate garden alive despite the warm temperatures and it looks almost impossibly pretty, as the scent of rosemary, lavender and citrus fills the air.
Style
With its style and influences deeply rooted in the natural landscape that surrounds it, Petunia is the type of tranquil oasis that immediately provokes a feeling of deep calm, even if you’ve just navigated a two-and-a-half hour flight with a wriggling nine-month-old on your knee.
Interiors boast a laid-back Iberian charm — reception is an open-air affair, with lots of spots to lounge around, cooled by a spinning ceiling fan as you sip your welcome fizz. Outside, huge cloudlike daybeds by the glorious saltwater pool invite you to stretch out fully, with plenty of room for little ones to play, protected by giant white umbrellas in the heat of the day.
No poolside DJs here — just calming tunes piped gently into the air, which combine with ice-cold Estrellas to create that perfect lazy, hazy state of mind.
A mention must go to the team of staff who are warm and professional, going above and beyond to make your stay effortless, from arranging a car-seat in the airport transfer and excellent in-room babysitting, to facilitating a pharmacy trip for emergency baby supplies and rustling up weaning-friendly fare.
Which room?
Each of the 42 casita-style bedrooms and suites are spacious and decorated with low-key furniture and pops of colour in the form of sculptural glass ceiling lamps, woven footstools and hand-painted wall murals. The simple palette is enhanced by the use of natural materials such as raffia wall art, bohemian rugs and decorative wooden ladders — there’s even a large woven tote bag at your disposal. perfect for filling with Factor 50, toys, snacks and nappies as you float around the hotel.
Unpack your bags in a Bougainvillea suite and you’ll enjoy a cool, whitewashed lair with high ceilings and wooden floors, comprised of a bedroom, living room, kitchenette and bathroom kitted out with Grown Alchemist products. It’s the perfect size for a family and the hotel will provide a roomy travel cot on request. If you are still slave to a nap routine then you’ll love the fact that all rooms come with an outdoor terrace, many with sea views, so you can still enjoy the sunshine if your child is snoozing during the day.
Food & Drink
Foodies are spoilt for choice at Petunia. The day starts with the most incredible breakfast buffet around, bursting with fresh fruits, yoghurt, cereals, breads and a selection of pastries that could’ve come straight from a French bakery. You can order eggs, pancakes and more, washed down with seriously good coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Poolside eatery Los Olivos is the place to go for croquettes, salads and more during the day. By night, at La Mesa you’ll find delicious Mediterranean dishes made with local ingredients, some of which come from Petunia’s very own vegetable garden, and don’t miss the signature tiramisu which is made at your table with a secret additional ingredient — pistachios.
Dreamy rooftop restaurant La Mirada focuses on finely crafted raw fish dishes from the crudo bar and excellent signature cocktails, perfect for toasting the candy-floss pink sunsets that illuminate Es Vedrà, often with live acoustic music as a soundtrack. Menu highlights include red shrimp nigiri, salmon sashimi and panko lobster urumaki, and for dessert, matcha brownies and sesame ice-cream.
Facilities
There’s plenty to keep you occupied at Petunia — outdoor gym equipment, a boutique filled with beautiful pieces from local designers, and a treatment room where you can enjoy everything from a deep tissue massage to a reiki session.
The 50-minute Relaxing massage does wonders to release deeply held muscle tension (especially sore neck and shoulders from carrying around a growing baby all day!) and the sensory combination of calming music and aromatic oils also helps to calm a busy mind. Expect to snooze on the sun lounger afterwards as your body absorbs all the rejuvenating benefits of the treatment.
Extracurricular
It’s worth venturing out as the hotel is also perfectly located to explore Ibiza’s lesser-known coastline and a duo of unspoilt white sand beaches, Cala Vadella and Cala Carbó. The latter can be reached on foot via a sandy track down the hill and has a wonderful restaurant Can Vicent serving up generous portions of paella and lemon sorbet.
Petunia offers complimentary mountain bikes for exploring the island, or you can join one of the hotel’s guided hikes across the surrounding landscape.
Best for
Stylish couples and families seeking an authentic slice of Ibiza life that stays true to the island’s enchanting aesthetic. Double rooms start from £300 per night. petuniaibiza.com
