Amid the sun-scorched earth of rural Ibiza lies picturesque oasis Ca Na Xica, a boutique retreat of natural beauty and chilled out living.
Ibiza is an island of split personalities. While Ibiza Town and St Antoni are infamous for wild clubbing and booze fuelled nights, the areas north east of Santa Gertrudis offer an idyllic slice of picturesque Spanish countryside. There you’ll find traditional fincas, serene retreats, and high-design villas, echoing Ibiza’s alternative reputation for spirituality and relaxation. Combining all of the above is Ca Na Xica, a dreamy boutique hotel near the sleepy town of San Miguel.
Set in acres of untouched scenery and overlooked by tree covered hills Ca Na Xica feels worlds away from the noise and vulgarity of club land. With just 20 rooms the property is always peaceful and never crowded; perfect for switching off from the outside world. Guests luxuriate on day beds around the stunning turquoise pool, wasting the hours away under the hot Spanish sun.
Stay
Facilities at Ca Na Xica include guest rooms and suites, al fresco breakfasts, a glorious open air restaurant, a small but beautifully designed spa, pool side bar service, and an artificial beach.
The vibe here is slick and luxurious without ever being flashy. Vegetation is meticulously maintained and incorporated into the hotel’s design, with exotic grasses and flower beds punctuating the property’s many stone paths. Wildlife abounds: charming little birds drink from the pool’s edge, geckos dart across walkways, and butterflies flutter between cactuses and their blooms.
The retreat is built around a classic Spanish finca (farmhouse), with its pièce de résistance an exquisite T-shaped swimming pool. Flanked either side by rows of symmetrical cypresses, the pool is an instagrammer’s dream. Enough comfortable divans are provided that even when fully booked the property feels far from crowded. Pool service keeps guests well fed and watered from a menu of varied food and drink provided by the main restaurant. Four shady Bali beds offer opportunities to cool off or enjoy an afternoon siesta.
Sleep
Ca Na Xica’s 20 rooms are split into three categories: Double Rooms, Double Superior Rooms, and Premier Suites. Guest rooms are located in the main house and decorated in traditional Ibizan style, some offering wide balconies with views over the grounds.
If your budget allows it, splash out on a suite. Housed in a series of contemporary white cuboids they are absolute architecture porn. Spacious and modern, their design offers a sense of total privacy. Wide open terraces overlook the barren red earth, while the interiors are bright, elegantly designed, and extremely comfortable. Bathrooms are adjacent to terrarium gardens, separated by glass, giving the experience of washing outdoors.
Eat
A short stroll from the hotel past a field of long grass is the hotel’s main restaurant Salvia. Open to the elements on three sides, the space watches over the pool, olive trees, and surrounding earth. It’s a beautiful and romantic setting, perfectly suited to long drawn out dinners and wine soaked lunches. Salvia draws in a strong local crowd, proving the restaurant to be a destination spot in itself.
The menu focuses on fresh local produce, and leans towards seafood. While at Ca Na Xica we dined on calamari and white bait, tagliatelle of seasonal vegetables, tartare of tuna with mango and avocado, a juicy half chicken cooked in a traditional josper oven, and risotto with wild quail. The stand out dish we tried was a charcoal grilled octopus with Iberian pig jowl. Meltingly soft, almost gooey octopus was balanced brilliantly against the charcoal residue’s dull smokiness; an excellent dish.
Cooking was for the most part of a very high standard across all the dishes we tried. Vegetables were juicy, seafood was fresh, and meat never overcooked. Puddings included French toast with grape liqueur, upside down cheesecake, and a sublime “Pina Colada” consisting of sweet pineapple muddled in coconut cream, topped with whipped coconut foam and chunks of garden mint flavoured ice.
Salvia also serves the hotel’s breakfast, making use of a back terrace that is again surrounded by open land and olive trees. Health nuts will delight in the freshly squeezed juices, fruit, and impressive cereal bar complete with toppings including bee pollen, chia seeds, dried fruit, and all manner of nuts and seeds. Delicious quiches, cheese platters, cured meats, pan con tomate, and a menu of egg-based classics will keep those looking to indulge very happy indeed.
Ca Na Xica is just a short 20 minute drive from Ibiza airport, with rooms in high season from around £300 per night.
