Nobu is a name that needs no introduction, having been made famous by Japanese chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa and co-founder and iconic Hollywood actor Robert De Niro and going on to become the namesake for several of the hottest dining spots in the world.
Nobu’s Japanese-Peruvian fusion eateries are present everywhere from London to Monaco to Dubai, and attract an affluent crowd whilst offering diners the chance to rub shoulders with the rich and famous as they feast on decadent cuisine. But since 2013, it’s been possible not just to eat at Nobu, but to stay at Nobu too, with a collection of 13 Nobu Hotels and Resorts now operating around the world.
In 2017, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay opened its doors on the sunny Balearic island of Ibiza – a destination known for its hedonistic party vibe and luxurious dining scene – just a stone’s throw from the buzzy Old Town and on the shores of the picturesque Talamanca Bay.
On a recent trip to Ibiza, I was delighted to find myself checking in for an opulent two-night stay at this luxurious five-star resort, and knew instantly that I was in for a treat.
Hotel
One of the few hotels in Ibiza that sits right on the beachfront – surprising, perhaps, but true – Nobu Ibiza Bay enjoys a prime location on the island. The beach is a long, thin strip of sand along which a promenade allows you to walk all the way to Eivissa old town – where you’ll find a wide variety of stylish restaurants, trendy bars and bohemian shops, pausing for refreshments along the way, if you fancy it, at one of the eateries that line the path.
Whilst Talamanca isn’t the best beach on the island – you’ll find these in Playa d’En Bossa and further north – when you take everything into account, it’s a pretty perfect base for an island getaway if you want to be close enough to, but not right in the midst of, the action.
The hotel features several white-washed buildings of rooms and suites set around two large pools, each lined with plush white Bali beds and cabanas where you can relax, unwind and soak up some rays. During high season, there’s a minimum spend of 150 Euros attached, and you’ll need to book in advance to secure yourself a spot.
The lobby area is spacious and features several seating areas where you can cool off from the heat of the day or enjoy a drink from the bar. And, if you’re keen to up-level the relaxation factor even further, then you can take advantage of Nobu Ibiza Bay’s wellbeing offering, with a range of holistic experiences and beauty treatments available at the John Frieda salon and in the serene and tranquil surroundings of the Ibiza Bay Spa by Six Senses.
If you’re keen to keep up your fitness routine throughout your stay, then the on-site gym – which is fully appointed with the latest state-of-the-art Technogym equipment including treadmills, bikes and free weights – has everything you need to do just that. If you prefer to train outdoors, then you’ll be well catered for too, as there are a range of classes happening on the yoga deck throughout high season.
Rooms and suites
The hotel is home to 152 luxurious rooms and suites in total, the majority of which face the sea and offer breath-taking views all the way over to Eivissa. Designed with the ocean in mind, you can expect a complementary colour palette of vibrant whites, blues and golds, with turquoise furnishings to exude a calming and relaxing vibe. Tasteful touches like the patterned cushions, natural woven lamps and hand-crafted ceramics all add to the modern, bright and airy feels.
The white marble bathrooms are spacious and boast large walk-in showers. Ours, as a superior suite, also featured a sizable tub that looked like the perfect place to relax and unwind, although sadly, I didn’t have a chance to try it. The Natural Bissé toiletries are a nice touch, and a professional-grade hair dryer is a welcome addition that makes getting that perfect blow-dry, quickly, a cinch – even if it might not last all that long in the humid Ibizan heat.
Other welcome touches include a coffee machine, well-stocked mini bar with a selection of drinks and snacks (the truffle crisps are a must) and Bluetooth speakers so that you can crank up some tunes whilst getting ready for the evening.
Our deluxe sea view room opened out onto a spacious balcony that came complete with sun loungers and a table and chairs – the perfect place to soak up some rays whilst enjoying optimal privacy, or to enjoy an evening aperitif as the sun went down.
Food and drink
It likely goes without saying that dining at Nobu Ibiza Bay is a highlight. Breakfast at Chambao – which is inspired by the classic Spanish ‘chiringuito’, or small beachfront restaurant – is a decadent affair which can be enjoyed on the terrace with your feet in the sand or inside in the air conditioning, where the vibe is bright and ocean-themed, just like the rooms.
There’s a vast buffet you can help yourself from, featuring everything from fruit and freshly squeezed juices and smoothies to smoked salmon, cheeses, pastries and cereals. But the a la carte menu is the star of the show, featuring mouth-watering favourites like Eggs Royale alongside the likes of shakshuka and pancakes, with plenty of choice to set you up for the day.
You can also enjoy lunch here, when the menu changes to offer up fresh local seafood – from grilled octopus and Amberjack ceviche to the catch of the day – alongside Mediterranean favourites like gazpacho, goats’ cheese salad and steak tartare.
If you don’t plan on moving all day from one of the indulgent Bali beds that surround the pool – and why should you, while you’re on holiday? – then there’s also a poolside menu serving up snacks and drinks from both Chambao and the hotel’s eponymous namesake restaurant, Nobu.
The latter, is of course, the star of the show, so we couldn’t resist ordering some sashimi and a bottle of white wine to wash it all down with as our first taste of what it had to offer. Fresh and delicious, as expected, it certainly whetted our appetites for our evening dinner reservation, which was, unsurprisingly, the highlight of our stay.
The Nobu restaurant is a very special dining spot, and exemplifies the fusion cuisine, blending traditional dishes with fresh, Peruvian ingredients that creator and world-renowned chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa has become known for.
Having dined previously at Nobu restaurants in London and Monaco, we had an inkling of what to expect and, once again, our experience didn’t fail to impress. The service was impeccable, and the menu quite simply sublime – I never would have imagined that a simple spinach salad could taste so good, but it turns out that truffle oil, parmesan and yuzu have the power to transform it into an incredibly special dish indeed.
Other highlights included the yellowtail in yuzu sauce, seasoned with green chillies and fresh coriander, the melt-in-your-mouth black cod, and the sizzling seafood in yuzu and soy sauce, which came bursting with succulent prawns and sweet scallops alongside shiitake mushrooms and asparagus.
Suitably spoiled by this decadent array of truly mouth-watering dishes, we rounded things off with a sumptuous chocolate fondant and matcha ice cream, which we washed down with a glass of plum sake – or Umeshu, as it is known – knowing it was a meal that would be hard to top anywhere else on the island.
To do
If you’re visiting Ibiza to party, then you’ll find some of the island’s biggest clubs, like Pacha, located nearby in Ibiza old town, alongside plenty of drinking, dining and shopping options if you’re seeking a more leisurely pace for the evening. Playa d’en Bossa – home to more iconic mega clubs like Ushuaia and Hi Ibiza – is reachable in under 20 minutes by taxi.
The hotel has its own boutique if you’re looking for holiday essentials like swimwear, kaftans and beach hats, but a trip to the island’s main hippy market in Es Cana on a Wednesday is well worthwhile if you’re looking for artisan products and souvenirs.
Add to that the host of scenic coastal walks, boat trips and excursions available on Ibiza, and you’ll have no trouble finding things to do – plus, as a family-friendly resort, there’s a kid’s club to keep youngsters entertained, too. And the attentive concierge is on hand to arrange activities and outings on your behalf, keeping the entire experience as stress-free as it should be when taking a much-needed holiday.
In a nutshell
A stylish and sophisticated five-star resort offering decadent dining, impeccable service and a host of opulent facilities, Nobu Ibiza Bay really is the lap of luxury. And when it comes to locations, whatever your plans are for your time on this Balearic Island gem, it doesn’t get much better. The food scene here is as special as you’d expect, too – and the experience certainly lives up to the iconic Nobu name.
Factbox
Address: Carrer de Ses Feixes, 52, 07800, Illes Balears, Spain
Phone: +34 971 19 22 22
Email: info-ibiza@nobuhotels.com
Website: nobuhotelibizabay.com
