OKU Hotel - Ibiza, Spain
Fabulously chic, unapologetically laid back, and boasting a gastronomic dining offering to please even the fussiest eater, Oku Ibiza is synonymous with the Isla Blanca. If you’re looking for an antidote to the rest of the island, rather than an extension of it, this stunning property will be right up your street.
Image courtesy of Condé Nast Traveler
Ibiza is home to an array of world-class properties, so when Westfort Capital decided to open a new hotel in this luxury-saturated area of the island, I was left scratching my head, wondering what a new hotel could add to the mix. It turns out, a lot. Even in the face of tough competition from Six Senses, Nobu Hotel et al, Oku Ibiza is plainly the cherry on the cake—or the prawn on the paella.
Image courtesy of Condé Nast Traveler
The hotel is situated on the western part of the island, ensconced among the pine trees and in proximity to the charming Cala Gració cove. On foot, you can reach San Antonio within a 15-minute stroll, while the delightful destinations of Cala Gracioneta and La Torre are just a five-minute walk away. Additionally, the island's sole Michelin-starred restaurant, Es Tragón, is conveniently nearby. Take a leisurely walk to the cliffs and witness the famous sunsets that grace this side of the island. By taxi, you can reach the airport in half an hour, and Ibiza Town in 20 minutes.
The Rooms
Eschewing the wabi-sabi aesthetic, the look is more global nomad than Spanish purist. The hotel has 129 superior rooms, 14 deluxe rooms, 3 penthouse suites, 25 junior suites, 7 junior suites and the impressive Signature Suite Private Villa with four rooms. Needless to say, floor-to-ceiling windows and large, spacious terraces are ubiquitous, and the colour palette is as soothing as the sounds of waves crashing nearby. Everything works, but nothing feels forced or superfluous.
Think natural materials of rattan, hessian, oak and stone - alongside the earthy tones giving the suite a relaxed feel. The room is fitted with Balinese and Mexican furniture (a touch I loved), a private bar, Marshall speakers, a spacious boudoir dressing room… and my favourite bit. A fridge stocked full of champagne and mixers for the tequila sitting on the side. Result.
Each and every room, spanning from the rooftop retreats to those with swim-up pool access, boasts its very own private terrace or balcony, rainfall showers, and a carefully curated selection of Le Labo amenities. For those yearning for the ultimate in opulent, barefoot luxury, the suites present the ideal choice, offering expansive spaces that command a breathtaking view of our iconic 50-meter pool.
Notably, the four-bedroom villa stands as a testament to unparalleled exclusivity. Nestled in a tranquil enclave within the hotel's sprawling grounds, this secluded haven accommodates up to eight guests. It features a private pool, complete with sun loungers and a serene seating area, a spacious lounge, a well-appointed bar, a dining area, and the option to engage a personal chef for an exclusive al-fresco dining experience on the terrace.
Dining
Locally sourced produce takes center stage in the dining offering, artfully blended with international influences and a distinct Japanese flair to craft an exquisite fusion cuisine that revolves around the celebration of flavor. Like everything else at OKU Ibiza, the food has a distinct sense of place but also a cosmopolitan sensibility.
Dutch Executive Chef Mark Vaessen, who has previously graced the renowned Sushisamba establishment in London, has masterfully curated the gastronomic experiences across four distinct realms within OKU Ibiza: To Kima, the inviting casual eatery, the tranquil poolside oasis, the vibrant juice bar, and the flagship OKU Restaurant, a true pinnacle of Japanese fine dining.
Dinner at OKU Restaurant is a rendezvous of the Far East and South America, asserting its place on the island's elite gastronomic roster from the moment its doors swung open. Here, Japanese wagyu, hamachi, succulent Robata meats, and an array of pristine raw selections stand as essential culinary adventures that beckon exploration.
Breakfasts are exceptionally good, especially if you go à la carte. An oat milk smoothie and homemade granola with Greek yogurt and lavender honey taste even more nourishing after an early-morning yoga session outside the gym.
Facilities
There really is something to keep everyone occupied; Sunrise yoga by the pool? Check. Personal training sessions with the island’s best instructors? Check check. Fancy a day party without leaving the property? Check check check. From the award-winning spa, state-of-the-art gym and three incredible restaurants to throw your money at, you could easily spend an entire weekend at the hotel and never really feel the need to leave.
Image courtesy of Condé Nast Traveler
And so?
You can really tell when there is love in a property, and this was prevalent from the outset and throughout. On the clientele, think of the crowd as if Soho House did the Riviera Maya —these are the young up-and-comers set to become the Bardots of their generation. Not obnoxiously ‘alternative’, but cool and sophisticated. Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz could definitely be on those lush poolside beds.
There’s nothing quite like OKU anywhere else on the island: thoughtfully designed and respectful of its natural surroundings, with a holistic attitude to slow living, and farm-to-table food that feels genuinely considered. Understated and wild at heart, it’s an oasis where you can feel good about being good to yourself.
Thank you to Lottie, Perowne International, and the entire OKU Ibiza team for such a memorable stay.
Address: Camí del Portixol, 2, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany, Illes Balears, Spain