Hillside Hideaway: Villa Alessia, Ibiza – Review

A magnet of the Mediterranean, year on year, Ibiza’s popularity continues to grow – making it harder to find lesser-known pockets of intrigue. Georgie Bentley-Buckle checks into Villa Alessia with Oliver’s Travels, a spacious villa that is conveniently situated, yet subtly tucked away.

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Review: Villa Alessia, Ibiza

Sat elegantly on an Ibizan hillside, Villa Alessia is a light and spacious retreat, ideal for families or groups of friends looking for a private, smart and capacious place to recline. Situated in San Agustín in the Ibizan municipality of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, the villa lies near sleepy rural village San Agustín. Often overlooked (and, it is said, one of the best-preserved villages on the island), the area features ancient olive farms and a local church that surpasses two centuries.

Among the rural landscape of this beautiful Balearic island, Villa Alessia displays views across the valley, leading the eye towards the shoreline beyond – reminding us that the ocean is never far, wherever you may find yourself. Turning a blind eye to the beach clubs and buzzy restaurants Ibiza is known for, a stay at Villa Alessia allowed us to embrace a slower pace of life reflecting the deepest locales of rural mainland Spain, with just a handful of the quaint restaurants and bars of St Agustín.

STAY

Lovingly restored outside and in, Villa Alessia is as beautiful as its name suggests. With deep sofas, rustic wooden features and rattan interior accessories, the smart but suitably relaxed property hosted a group of seven of us (but can cater to up to 12) across five bright and airy bedrooms. With privacy paramount inside and out, each also includes an en suite bathroom, meaning we could enjoy our own space before reconvening poolside.

The open plan layout frames the well-kept garden, buzzing with insects over the flowers that surround the pool. On the ground level (and in the centre of the property) is a large L-shaped living area with a lounge and cosy TV room at one end, while the kitchen is home to a large dining table and polished white island. Saturated by the Spanish sunshine, large windows and bifold doors open out onto the patio and garden beyond.

One of the largest bedrooms is also on the ground floor, with a king-size bed and double sofa bed. Upstairs, the four other bedrooms include our master bedroom – with its private balcony and glorious views – and another room with a free-standing bath.

DO

It’s worth checking out the azure ocean that surrounds Ibiza. Not sure how to go about this? SamBoat may well be your answer. This platform connects you with local skippers and their variety of boats in Ibiza and beyond. We hopped aboard a lovely 46 ft yacht on the southern shores of Ibiza, navigating the crystal-clear waters of Formentera for the day. The fastest growing platform for boat rental, think of it as the Uber of the seas… samboat.com

EAT

Villa Alessia has a large gas BBQ, perfect for relaxed suppers at your own pace. We grilled local fish and meat, washed down with Spanish wine on our terrace while the orange sun dropped towards the horizon; a picture-perfect setting.

Finca La Plaza

Beyond the plush comfort of the villa, shift from one private garden setting to another at Finca La Plaza. From the Island Hospitality Group, you’d easily miss this exceptional dining spot in Ibiza’s Santa Gertrudis. Inspired by all the wonders of the Mediterranean, this was one of the best meals I’ve had the pleasure of on the island. So, despite its rural location (arguably part of its charm…), it’s well worth a visit. A combination of modern techniques and presentation styles (cue dry ice) with organic ingredients, dishes include smoked wagyu rib-eye, corn tortillas and pickles, grilled sea bass ‘a la espalda’ cooked on charcoal, and grilled octopus. fincalaplaza.com

Beachouse

Part of the same Island Hospitality Group is Finca La Plaza’s sister restaurant: Beach House. A well-known bohemian bolthole, on the southern sandy shores of Ibiza, enjoy Spanish favourites throughout the day and into the night. Celebrating a decade this year, this breezy open-air bar, restaurant and lifestyle boutique is set to the soundtrack of the ocean. Also with its very own kids club, it’s perfect for parents looking for a lassie-affair meal, whilst younger ones are equally entertained. beachouseibiza.com

THE FINAL WORD

Villa Alessia is one example of Oliver’s Travels portfolio of handpicked properties, each brimming with charm and personality. On a mission to become an ‘environmentally progressive villa company’, choose from rural hideaways to chic Châteaus. Earlier this year they also launched their City Homes & Apartments collection, offering a more so urban escape of equal elegance.

BOOK IT

Exclusive use for 12 guests from £5,120 for four nights. oliverstravels.com

Read more about Oliver’s Travels’ sustainability mission here.