Santa Eulalia has developed over the years and is the ideal spot for those looking for a more relaxed type of Ibiza holiday. Taking a walk along the long peaceful palm-lined beachfront promenade, you'll see why its laid-back atmosphere has become the number one choice for many families and couples.
The third largest town on the island has a quieter relaxed feel than other places and here you are never that far away from anything. It is the gastronomic heart of the island and great restaurants are to be found everywhere particularly on Calle San Vicente, also known as "restaurant street'; then down by the marina there are some great places for food such as Café Sidney, with its large portions of great food and the eclectic fusion food of Tamarama.
Here we recommended some great places to stay to cover different budgets, and you'll find more choice in our hotels and apartments pages.
Buenavista Hotel
This family-run hotel is one of the oldest on the island boasting its own high quality restaurant Es Truy set in a natural cave. All rooms have either sea views or those of the hotel's lush tropical gardens. There is elegant furnishing throughout with touches of the orient: some doubles have four-poster beds with elegant wooden washstands in the bathrooms and other rooms are decorated more in a rustic style with wooden beams. It's a little out of town and on a hill, so you have the idea of getting away from everything, even though you are a short walk away from lots of bars and restaurants.
Atlas Apartments
If you want relaxed on a budget these affordable and well-equipped apartments could be just the thing. Each apartment has a ground floor lounge/dining area and an outside terrace with two bedrooms upstairs plus a private balcony. The complex is completely enclosed and peaceful with Med-style gardens and a pool area with sun loungers. You are right next to the town's promenade and close to shops and bank machines and street parking is available right outside. There's even a self-service laundry so you can pack light.
Palladium Hotel Don Carlos
Modern, very comfortable and right next to the sea in nearby Siesta, is this adults-only hotel from one of the best hotel groups on the island. All rooms are spacious and have nice little touches like a massage shower and a great selection of complementary bath products. This is a place for couples that have come to relax: there's a decked pool area with a Jacuzzi, Balinese beds and underwater sunbeds to help unwind. It's closeness to Santa Eulalia means you can easily walk there, but there will be days when you just want to stay put and here you can do just that.
Parot Quality Apartments
Still available for most summer dates, you'd be advised to snap up one of these apartments before they get booked up. Its modern and airy one-bedroom apartments have air-con, Satellite TV, Wi-Fi, massage showers and fully equipped kitchens so you can make some of your own meals. Being in the centre of town, the beach is a short walk away as are restaurants and bars. The breakfasts are high in quality and quantity, plus the complex has a gastro bar on site too, available for those opting for full or half board.
Siesta Hotel Club
If its top four-star facilities you want teamed with quiet and tranquility with most of your meals prepared for you, then come here. It's about half a kilometre from the centre of town and you will be blessed with modern and comfy modern rooms. There's daytime and evening entertainment for both adults and children onsite, plus a big pool, a children's pool, two bars and a buffet restaurant. It's worth venturing out a bit though since you'll be close to some of the island's best restaurants, so do try and plan that in.
Look out for our next resort hotels in the next fortnight when we'll be covering San Antonio. Remember too to look at our hotels and apartments pages for a wide selection of accommodation across Ibiza.
WORDS: Julian Heathcote
