On Saturday afternoon a new venue sprung into action in Playa d'en Bossa, with the opening of the stylish Santos Ibiza Coast Suites. Having featured Santos in our Hotels for Clubbers series before the summer, it was satisfying to see all plans had successfully come to fruition and the hotel was perfected and ready to receive. Though Santos is officially accommodation and not a bar, this is Ibiza, and even your local hairdresser has an opening party, so we could hardly expect a shiny new Playa d'en Bossa hotel to start its season without a bang!
The event was focused around the pool area, a delightfully positioned spot with nothing between you and the sea but a low glass wall. All meeting and mingling was engaged in against a panoramic backdrop of the ocean, with views including the not-so-distant medieval fortress of Dalt Vila and a very generous helping of blue sky. There was an excellent selection of fabrics and footwear, as all those swanning around the edge of the pool had definitely dressed to impress. Things got very cosy as day turned to night, with attendees amusingly compacting themselves into the steadily dwindling corner of sun on the far side of the pool. Tunes were provided throughout proceedings by Smokin' Jo, Sebastian Gamboa, Jose Padilla, Oriol Calvo and Kaspar and Hauser, a highlight being Oriol Calvo, who is confirmed as a Santos resident for the season.
Now that Santos has put its party legs into gear, expect a lot more events over the summer to liven up the pool area during that golden 5pm-midnight slot. Look forward to a Flamingo event every month, which will bring a fun and playful vibe to the venue, featuring disco, nu disco, 80s and indie music and lots and lots of fluorescent swimsuits. On Thursdays Santos is primed to host a sparkling Hed Kandi event and on Sundays the hotel will bring you sixdegrees, featuring Sis, Bushwacka, Francisco Allendes, Paolo Poletto and more, streamed live on Ibiza Global Radio.
All in all the afternoon was a thoroughly enjoyable affair, which could only have been improved by an accidental tumble into the pool – preferably by someone in heels.