So a brief review of sorts. Spent a week at the conveniently located Hostal Rey, Santa Eularia. Old-fashioned, faded decor, with a catalan speaking old lady on desk who was usually in an armchair watching the telly when we passed through reception. I really liked it. V sad to leave.
The GNV ferry (Italian, from Genoa originally) is an ‘acquired’ taste with minimum (spartan) facilities and a surly bar steward, but our cabin wasn’t nearly as bad as the online reviews (‘mysterious third party’s pubic hairs’ ‘blood on sheets’ ‘filthy floor’) had suggested. Slightly surreal watching a Italian talkshow dissecting Princess Diana’s death 24 years later but all part of the experience. Balearia next time I think… Only realised after booking that ferry stopped off in Palma on a 13.5 hr crossing from BCN. Don’t ask.
So Ibz then. Party/dancing free zone this year for reasons not wholly disclosed (ruthlessly enforced alla Giuliani at times) but Pikes was still good Sunday fun for the music/social. Super soundtrack from Frank Tope and Tayo. Loads of fave tunes incl from memory Fatima Yamaha, various Grace Jones classics, paperclip people, Marti Caine, softhouse company + that awesome 2021 remake of the whistle song. Most of it spent in the pool. Pikes crowds can be hit/miss but this was definitely one of the better ones. Everyone really friendly. Somehow managed to pace the drinks and get back to SE intact! Wasn’t too messy for a change (I had an uncharacteristically clean week) but the right kind of boozy fun to the kind of music I really like. Felt like a long overdue reunion with the balearic dj community i hadn’t seen in 2 + years
Also really liked chirincana (cala martina) for the tranquility and neo-hippy vibes, caught a decent German DJ called Frank Castro based in Tenerife. Also the down to earth local bar at the far end in sta eularia walking south along the sea after W and the thai place. Again mainly just because the staff were good fun. My gf really liked the Giri garden in Sant Joan (albeit a bit snotty imo) Anitas was a lot of fun too for meal + classic hierbas. Had a long chat with waiter about those mysterious letterboxes. Genuinely love that place & actually preferred being inside.
Foodwise my fave lunch was Comidas de San Juan (old town) every bit as ace as anticipated. Beaches: Es Cavallet water was very warm. SE was convenient. Es Fig was lovely once you got past the reeds.
A few bits weren’t quite so good El Chiringuito , Es Cavallet was prohibitively expensive [#naive] tho Sam Bagg plays nice music on Sundays. Also Can Cosmi (SE) useful for a drink but swerve the menu del dia. Dalias Chiringuito at Es Fig is laughably overpriced too, but our fault for going in blind. W gets the good djs but a tad swanky (with a silent s…) Punta Arabi Hippy Market is Camden Town level tat. Don’t bother, even on a rainy Wednesday. Mostly minor quibbles though.
I’d advise taking your own food/booze/gear to certain public sunset spots to save a whole load of grief with officious staff at places like La Torre and access rocks via public path on side. Explore north too eg sant miquel has a lovely walk up to the church. Carhire: moto luis from apt or autosmari who we used this time. Not cheap but no hidden extras and v convenient dropoffs.
Overall, a lot of fun. Nothing too mental. A few stressful bits when travelling as couple. (Parking/finding a launderette in the old town was perhaps ill-advised…) it was mostly cathartic though just to have a proper holiday after the relentless shitness of the last 2 years.
