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A first look at Soho House's new outpost in Ibiza
A first look at Soho House's new outpost in Ibiza

Times

time12-07-2025

  • Times

A first look at Soho House's new outpost in Ibiza

The first time I set foot on the White Isle was 2003 — granted I was a late adopter, but it was still pretty raw back then. One night I ended up at a party in the north hosted by an infamous British beauty (best I don't name her), whose hippy credentials were unimpeachable. I'd never met her, but someone managed to blag my friends and me on to the guest list. 'Are you sure you've got the right place?' I remember asking the taxi driver, as we veered down a very rough and bumpy dirt track. I'll never forget the scene of lotus-eating hedonists that greeted us as we walked in. There were skinny, spaced-out hippies, straggly tattooed ne'er-do-wells and girls wearing next to nothing save for fairy wings (their faces covered in glittery, voodoo-like make-up), who swirled around the garden overlooking the sea. There was a help-yourself drinks table, snacks (of all varieties, also on the table), a trampoline where two girls bounced around making out (having sex, actually) and a DJ who thumped out old-school electronic music. To gently misappropriate Calvin Harris, it was 'acceptable in the 80s-ish'. The island today is somewhat different. It's still licentious, but it has become a haven for a brash global oligarchy (the sort that descend on Mykonos, Courchevel, Dubai, Miami et al), where not having a VIP wristband (to clubs such as DC10, Ushuaïa, Hï, Pacha, Amnesia, Cova Santa, UNVRS etc …) signals you're a total loser; where restaurants now impose minimum spends; where concierge services are hired months in advance to secure tables; where private jets line the runway like overfed, indolent birds; and where shamans are flown in from the Amazon by the bored, disaffected rich to perform ayahuasca ceremonies in private houses. But there is good news. A slow but gradual shift back to it roots is taking place thanks to a collective of ambitious island-dwelling expats and young locals who are fed up with all this fancy nonsense. They are working together to bring the island back to what it originally stood for — a more conscious and gently woo-woo form of living that celebrates nature, mindfulness and creativity. Improbably included in this new movement is Soho House, which this month opens its first Farmhouse outside the UK after years spent searching for the right venue on the island. • Soho House at 30: The hotel group's surprising new coming-of-age refresh At first sight, and compared with the vast Cotswolds outpost, Soho Farmhouse Ibiza feels not so much underwhelming as different, quieter and less keen to announce itself. It is set in an olive grove on a relatively small nine-acre estate (previously occupied by Cas Gasi, a much loved rural hotel) smack bang in the centre of the island and nestled between the villages of Santa Gertrudis and San Rafael. 'The setting couldn't be more idyllic,' says Andrew Carnie, the CEO of Soho House, who is showing me around. 'There's a tranquillity here. There isn't anywhere else like it. This place has got soul.' Rather than build something new from scratch, Soho House has opted to upgrade Cas Gasi's existing finca. We walk through the 14 Soho House-style bedrooms (less velvety, more raffia and colourful), two separate villas (available to rent as a whole or per bedroom), the central club area with its lounge and bar, a library, an outdoor games area, indoor and outdoor dining areas, two swimming pools and a kitchen garden. Plus, there's a Soho Health Club (modelled on the one recently opened on the Strand at 180 Soho House) that includes a gym, an outdoor yoga deck, a steam room and ice baths. Pepe Fernandez, the Farmhouse's general manager, was born on the island and, like many of his friends, moved away when he was young to work abroad. 'We're the first generation coming back,' he says. After attending hospitality school in Switzerland, he ended up working for Keith Richards, Christie Brinkley, Donna Karan and Bruce Willis, as well as various restaurants groups and hotels. He describes how the first hippies (his parents included, now in their seventies) were the ones who gave Ibiza its original but now lost character — which is why their children have taken it upon themselves to recreate their paradise lost. 'We all went off living around the world, but our responsibility now is to take it back into the right direction. I think we can do something really good here. We want to bring in a new frequency.' He cites as examples other nearby projects popping up such as La Cicadas (an artists' residency programme with accommodation in a 500-year-old restored farmhouse) and Juntos Farm (a local regenerative farm, restaurant and educational project on a formerly abandoned cattle ranch), whose ambitions align with his own for the Farmhouse and the wider context of the island. 'We will work together,' he says. Tour over, we sit down to lunch under a pergola overlooking the kitchen gardens, while the chef Antonio Parisi grills fish and meat alongside a selection of salads (all made with fresh produce grown around us). The Swedish owner of the aforementioned regenerative Juntas Farm, Christian Jochnick — who started his career working for an NGO in Stockholm, before moving to London and joining the investment bank Goldman Sachs — is sitting opposite me. I ask him what he thinks this new addition to Ibiza's social scene will bring to the island. 'I've been living here full-time for seven years, and I've seen an incredible rise in interest in regeneration and local farming from both consumers and the hospitality sector. Plus, there's a growing awareness on the island of the importance of mental and physical health, people are spending more time in nature meditating, taking yoga classes and not just thinking about what we eat but how food is grown. That sort of thing was becoming less present, confined to alternative communities in the north, but the tide is turning. The Farmhouse is going to become an important meeting point for like-minded people from all over Ibiza.' I'm starting to understand the point of the Farmhouse a little better. I'd walked in assuming it would become a social pitstop for the incoming summer crowd, but realise it will have most impact with the locals. 'It makes me excited and happy,' Jochnick continues, 'that the Farmhouse will thrive during the quieter winter season. Ibiza has always attracted dreamers, seekers and rebels, but it's not often people interact across communities here. It's going to build bridges — we will see many new relationships spring up between the media, tech, arts and music worlds.' I next turn to the internationally renowned Mexican conceptual minimalist artist, Stefan Brüggemann, who is represented by the art world behemoth Hauser & Wirth and who lives (when he's not in Mexico City or London) in a silver-foil-clad brutalist villa nearby. From here he runs an artists' residency programme, which is considered a symbol of the island's burgeoning art scene. He has described in the past how he was inspired to move to the island after reading stories by the German-Jewish philosopher Walter Benjamin, who visited during the Second World War. 'It read like the romantic story of an island,' he said in an interview last year. 'It's a place you might go if you're heartbroken or trying to figure out your plan in the world … it's a place where I can work, live and invite people to be part of discussions. It's a place to explore ideas.' I ask how the club will be part of that for him. 'I imagine my days will start quietly — maybe with a swim, some writing or a conversation over breakfast,' he says. 'Nights will be more unpredictable: meeting new people, reconnecting with old friends, having spontaneous dinners or drinks that turn into long, interesting conversations. I think there will be a real sense of discovery, both in the people who gather here and in the events or collaborations that will emerge. I'm looking forward to the serendipity of it all — those moments you don't plan but end up being the most memorable.' I've ticked off the regenerative farming box, as well as the artistic one, so I turn next to the spectacular character that is the Brit Danny Whittle. A no-nonsense northerner who joined the Royal Navy on leaving school, and then fell into the world of electronic music and events. He moved to Ibiza 25 years ago — he is married to a local — to became the musical director and brand manager of first Pacha and now Club Chinois. I also learn he has his own island walking group named Whittle's Wanderers and founded IMS Ibiza (International Music Summit) with his DJ mates Pete Tong and Ben Turner. If anyone can explain what the Farmhouse will mean for Ibiza, it's him. 'There are some restaurants we go to all year round,' Whittle says, 'but it's not really a unified scene where there's one place you meet like-minded people. There's nowhere like Soho House, which promotes health and farm food. People have been waiting for this. I have always been about hedonism, but now the two can come together. You can detox and retox.' He should write a song about that. I realise in retrospect I went in with the wrong mindset, imagining something more in tune with the new Ibiza — but the Farmhouse is, of course, not trying to lure the global oligarchy. Instead it's trying to pivot away from what the island has become and return it, not to how it was exactly, but to how it should be. It doesn't mean you can't go to DC10 and the rest, but you can also chill out. 'It's going to be very interesting to see what comes out of it,' Pepe says, as we say goodbye. He looks around the property for a moment lost in thought. He then laughs and quotes something Picasso once said: 'Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.' You should make that the house's motto, I tell him. Prices start at £730 a night for a small room, two-room villas cost £4,255 a night, Why go? The first resort on the tiny Cycladic island of Folegandros, this is remote and rustic Greece free from the influencer crowd. The Australian founders have plied the place with luxury — from the local and slow menu designed by Greece's first chef to receive a Michelin star, to the infinity pools that come with each of the 25 suites and two villas. Need to know Take advantage of the boat charters to Polyaigos or Milos, where volcanic cliffs meet crystal-clear water. On land, electric bikes and Fiat 500s offer access to churches and footpaths, and there are plenty of dramatic hikes. From £520 a night, B&B, Why go? The first interiors-architecture project of the Call Me by Your Name director Luca Guadagnino is cinematic in every sense. Housed in a 16th-century palazzo near the Trevi Fountain, it feels more like a museum than a hotel, with 17th-century frescoes on ceilings, marble busts and Murano chandeliers. Need to know Ask for a room overlooking the lush courtyard, where sun-drenched afternoons can be spent people watching with an aperitivo. Later into the night you'll want to check out the bar, which is as sexy as it is theatrical. On the menu? Myth-inspired cocktails that go by the name of Melopomene and Calliope. From £520, B&B, Why go? A stay at this former convent, from the same hip hotelier behind Les Roches Rouges in Saint-Raphaël and Le Pigalle in Paris, is indeed a religious experience. The central courtyard is filled with tweeting birds, the smell of freshly baked bread and staff — with uniforms made from old bedsheets — who can't do enough for you. The design is monastic and minimalist with limewashed walls, terracotta floors, antiques and muted linens. Need to know Pack your swimmers! In the subterranean spa there's a circuit of thermal pools, while up on the hillside overlooking the old town there's a lap pool surrounded by jasmine and fig trees. Details From £330, room only,

The Cheapest Nicest Hotels in Ibiza
The Cheapest Nicest Hotels in Ibiza

Condé Nast Traveler

time11-07-2025

  • Condé Nast Traveler

The Cheapest Nicest Hotels in Ibiza

From exclusive beach clubs to overpriced parties, a holiday on the White Isle often comes with a hefty price tag, so finding affordable Ibiza hotels is a foolproof way to make the most out of your stay. Forget the flashy resorts and luxury villas, the Balearic island is also home to more affordable accommodations that offers style and comfort without breaking the budget. From chic, modern boutiques to cozy, rural getaways, these hotels mean a trip is doable at less than $375 per night, with some of the cheapest nicest hotels starting as low as $120. Whether it's a wellness focus, sunset views, attractive design, or lively nightlife you're after, here are the best affordable Ibiza hotels for soaking up the island's allure while saving a few pennies.

Love Island's Samie stuns in a bikini as she soaks up the sun after Sam Thompson split
Love Island's Samie stuns in a bikini as she soaks up the sun after Sam Thompson split

The Sun

time01-07-2025

  • Entertainment
  • The Sun

Love Island's Samie stuns in a bikini as she soaks up the sun after Sam Thompson split

LOVE Island beauty Samie Elishi looked sensational in a blue bikini on her girlie getaway to Ibiza. The ITV2 show alum chose her printed strappy swim top and matching bottoms for her day out on the White Isle. 8 8 8 8 Samie, 25, who The Sun revealed had split with Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson last week, looked sensational as she modelled her two-piece while perched on a chair just a day after posing on-board a boat. This time around, back on solid ground, she pulled on a straw hat to protect herself from the beating sunshine and accessorised with a chunky blue choker. She kept her make-up natural, with her brunette locks brushing over her shoulders in wispy waves as she took her snaps from different angles. Later in the evening, Samie switched to a stunning floor-length dress which she captured in a gallery on her Instagram grid. Alongside the images she wrote: "Lady in red." PARTING WAYS Her trip comes just days after Sam, 32, and Samie called time on their short-lived relationship. Sam was first pictured snogging Samie and holding her face as they smooched outside Olivia Attwood's 34th birthday bash. They were also snapped walking arm in arm afterwards and he tenderly placed a hand on her waist. While the pair didn't share their relationship on social media, Sam did praise Samie on his podcast, Staying Relevant with pal Pete Wicks. Grilled by his best mate, he was relatively tight-lipped but said: "What I will say though, really awesome chick. You met her that night. Really, really lovely. Super down to earth, super nice, beautiful, obviously." Sam Thompson and Samie Elishi SPLIT after just two months of dating Samie, meanwhile, opened up about the romance last month during an appearance on the We Talk To The Dead podcast. Last week, The Sun exclusively revealed the pair had decided to go their separate ways weeks after first being spotted together on a cosy date. A source close to the former couple said: "It was a mutual thing and there is no bad blood between them. "They both just have really busy schedules, particularly Sam who has been non-stop recently, and it was really hard to make it work. They're still good mates. Love Island winners - where they are now EVERY year Love Island opens its doors to more sexy Islanders who are hoping for a holiday romance that could turn into more. Here we take you through all of the Love Island winners so far and what their relationship statuses are now: 2025 - The second series of All Stars saw Gabby Allen and Case O'Gorman scoop the crown. STATUS: Still together. 2024 - The summer Love Island saw Mimii Ngulube and Josh Oyinsan were crowned the winners. STATUS: Broken up. 2024 - The first ever All stars spin off show was won by Molly Smith and Tom Clare. STATUS: Still together. 2023 - Jess Harding and Sammy Root took home the 50k, and won the summer 2023 Love Island. STATUS: Broken up. 2023 - The first series of 2023 saw Sanam Harrinanan and Kai Fagan crowned Love Island winners in South Africa. STATUS: Still together. 2022 - Davide Sanclimenti and Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu's time in the villa was anything but a smooth ride, but they managed to win the public's hearts - and the ITV2 reality show. STATUS: Broken up. 2021 - Liam Reardon and Millie Court were announced winners of Love Island 2021. STATUS: Still together. 2020 - The first ever winter Love Island saw Paige Turley and Finn Tapp crowned winners after falling in love on the show. STATUS: Broken up. 2019 - Series 5 saw Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague runners up to winners Greg O'Shea and Amber Gill, who met in the last few days of the series. STATUS: Broken up. 2018 - It wasn't surprising fan favourites Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer won the show, as they were strong throughout. But sadly things didn't last. STATUS: Broken up. 2017 - Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies had lots of ups and downs in the villa but went on to win. STATUS: Broken up. 2016 - Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde were together from the start of the series, and since they won the show they've had two kids and are married. STATUS: Still together. 2015 - Despite poor Jess Hayes being Max Morley's second choice on the show, they did win - but they didn't last as a couple. STATUS: Broken up. "It's a shame but sometimes things just don't work out." Hints of trouble between the pair were first raised after Sam was cagey when quizzed about Samie while promoting his Soccer Aid challenge for Unicef earlier this month. Asked if she would be there to support him, Sam told MailOnline: "I feel like… this is so much more than who I'm dating or hooking up with. "And I feel like it would take away from what it is going on. You know what I mean?" Sam began dating Samie after splitting with Zara McDermott late last year. 8 8 8 8

Samie Elishi shows ex Sam Thompson what he's missing as she shows off amazing figure in bikini
Samie Elishi shows ex Sam Thompson what he's missing as she shows off amazing figure in bikini

The Sun

time30-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • The Sun

Samie Elishi shows ex Sam Thompson what he's missing as she shows off amazing figure in bikini

LOVE Island beauty Samie Elishi showed ex boyfriend Sam Thompson just what he was missing as she stripped to a bikini for a boat day. The All Stars alum, who we exclusively revealed had split with the Made In Chelsea star last week, looked sensational on her girls trip to Ibiza. 6 6 6 Sam, 32, and Samie, 25, confirmed they were dating in early May when they were spotted sharing a steamy kiss on a night out. Yet just weeks later they decided they were best as mates. The ITV2 show star has now headed for a girls-only trip to the White Isle, flashing her washboard abs in her swim two-piece. She chose a blue and yellow patterned halterneck, with matching bottoms tied high on the hip. The swimwear flattered her glowing tan and Samie - who has appeared on both Love Island 's main run and All Stars spin-off - styled her brunette hair into natural beachy waves. She tied it in a half up-do, while accessorising with bold gold earrings and natural make-up. The former senior estate agent coordinator perched inside the boat, holding a drink in one hand and her sunglasses in the other, as she posed one Instagram snap. After enjoying a sip of the red cocktail, Samie posted a video which showed her dancing on-board with her mates. In her caption, she joked about spending time away from her phone and put: "Why we haven't replied." A fan then wrote: "Gorgeous." Another added: "The best girls having the best time!!!" PARTING WAYS Sam was first pictured snogging Samie and holding her face as they smooched outside Olivia Attwood's 34th birthday bash. They were also snapped walking arm in arm afterwards and he tenderly placed a hand on her waist. While the pair didn't share their relationship on social media, Sam did praise Samie on his podcast, Staying Relevant with pal Pete Wicks. Love Island All Stars Samie Elishi and Grace Jackson Feud LOVE Island's Samie Elishi and Grace Jackson locked horns in the All Stars villa - yet what's the situation? Samie Elishi told how she had confronted Grace Jackson at The BRITs after the ITV2 alum claimed she was the "snakiest" in the villa. It came after the pair had tried to avoid each other when partying with the same friends. Samie 's arrival in the Love Island spin-off this year sparked issues between Grace and partner Luca Bish, 25. Samie entered the ITV2 compound and proceeded to blow up the villa's strongest couple as she admitted to fancying Brighton lad Luca, before whisking him off on a date. Stirring up the drama further after her arrival, Samie promptly referred to the secret DMs she shared with Luca in the real world. Yet the pair felt no connection and Samie was swiftly dumped from the villa days later. Grace was then said to have revealed her "true feelings" about Samie as she appeared to smirk during her eviction. Grilled by his best mate, he was relatively tight-lipped but said: "What I will say though, really awesome chick. You met her that night. Really, really lovely. Super down to earth, super nice, beautiful, obviously." Samie, meanwhile, opened up about the romance last month during an appearance on the We Talk To The Dead podcast. Last week, The Sun exclusively revealed the pair had decided to go their separate ways weeks after first being spotted together on a cosy date. A source close to the former couple said: "It was a mutual thing and there is no bad blood between them. "They both just have really busy schedules, particularly Sam who has been non-stop recently, and it was really hard to make it work. They're still good mates. "It's a shame but sometimes things just don't work out." Hints of trouble between the pair were first raised after Sam was cagey when quizzed about Samie while promoting his Soccer Aid challenge for Unicef earlier this month. Asked if she would be there to support him, Sam told MailOnline: "I feel like… this is so much more than who I'm dating or hooking up with. "And I feel like it would take away from what it is going on. You know what I mean?" Sam began dating Samie after splitting with Zara McDermott late last year. 6 6

Katie Price looks worse for wear and struggles to contain her surgically-enhanced assets in a skimpy white top as she parties with Wayne Lineker in Ibiza
Katie Price looks worse for wear and struggles to contain her surgically-enhanced assets in a skimpy white top as she parties with Wayne Lineker in Ibiza

Daily Mail​

time20-06-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Daily Mail​

Katie Price looks worse for wear and struggles to contain her surgically-enhanced assets in a skimpy white top as she parties with Wayne Lineker in Ibiza

Katie Price looked worse for wear as she partied the night away with Wayne Lineker in Ibiza this week. The former glamour model, 45, was seen clutching her drink and lifting her hands up in the air to dance. As she lifted her arms up she struggled to contain her surgically-enhanced assets and almost suffered a wardrobe malfunction. She was joined by a raucous group of friends including club owner Wayne, 63, who wore a white T-shirt and shades. Since arriving in Ibiza, Katie has caught up with famous pals including Wayne at his O Beach club, Dean Gaffney and Jamie O'Hara. It comes after Katie was seen proudly showing off the results of her 'painful' botched Brazilian Bum Lift while on the White Isle. Heading to the beach for a spot of sunbathing on Wednesday, the star left little to the imagination in a skimpy coral bikini with a black spotted print as she soaked up the sun. Katie showed off her famous cleavage in the revealing two-piece as she relaxed on the sand before heading to the ocean for a dip. Katie recently shared that her BBL proved to be her most 'painful' procedure, after jetting to Turkey for the botched surgery. Opening up to Katherine Ryan on her What's My Age Again? podcast last week, she said: 'I tried that BBL abroad where they take your own fat and put it in your bum. It was so painful. And it just did not look right on me.' Katie revealed the procedure took place in Turkey, but despite the painful experience, it hasn't diminished her enthusiasm for having cosmetic work done abroad. 'I would never have surgery in England again. Ever, ever,' she confessed. 'I'd always have it abroad.' Over the years, Katie has had at least 16 boob jobs, three rhinoplasties and two facelifts. Since arriving in Ibiza, Katie has caught up with famous pals including Wayne at his O Beach club, Dean Gaffney and Jamie O'Hara. The star was also seen partying with Conor McGregor at the Ibiza hotspot, with the MMA star going onto floor a partygoer with two punches at the infamous Pacha nightclub during his wild night out. Katie previously addressed her shrinking figure back in May in a post for her worried fans on Snapchat. She said: 'Yes I've lost weight. Yes that what I've wanted to do, I've wanted to lose weight. 'Because the past three, four years ago when I broke my feet and I was in a wheelchair for 10 months because they said I'd never walk again, and obviously you put weight on being in a wheelchair. 'And then I did all the IVF stuff, that also puts on weight. So yeah I did put on weight and I hated it, I felt uncomfortable and it wasn't me.' Last month, Katie branded herself 'ugly and disgusting' as she watched back video footage of herself undergoing plastic surgery in Turkey. In January, the mother-of-five flew abroad for 'tweaks' to her sixth £10,000 face lift and documented the trip for a new YouTube video. Filming herself reacting to the clips, she looked at herself getting prepared for theatre and mused: 'I'm so ugly there - that was before my surgery.' She admitted that the team of nurses 'don't always understand English', but revealed she was excited in the buildup because she 'loves being put to sleep.' Reflecting on her appearance pre-surgery, she said she looked 'very skinny and gaunt' and marvelled at the size of her breasts, revealing she plans to have more surgery on her assets in the future. Watching herself signing the consent form she confessed: 'I'm not not reading, just signing, I want to get in and get surgery done,' before adding: 'I actually look really fake and disgusting.' Katie, who was also getting a mini lift on her nose said she ignored the doctor's warnings about potential scarring and was just eager to get in and have her surgery. After undergoing the tweaks to her facelift and nose, the surgery wasn't finished for Katie. She had planned to get her ears pinned back to match her new taut visage, but after her blood pressure dropped during the surgery, the doctors advised she get the procedure the following day under local anesthetic. Watching herself getting the procedure, she insisted: 'It didn't hurt at all!' adding, 'but the question is - am I done?' Examining her face in the video, Katie continued: 'I do like how I look, it makes me want to have more now. 'It's so bad why am I watching this? I still think there's room now to pull more [skin]'. Speaking on The Louis Theroux Podcast last year, Katie explained that she has never been happy with her body. She said: 'I always said I haven't got body dysmorphia but there's definitely something, I don't know what it is... 'I've never looked in the mirror and thought I'm pretty or whatever.' However, despite having had at least six face lifts, Katie insists that she is not scared of aging. She said: 'I'm not afraid of getting old: I like getting old because you become wiser. But with the face and that I just think if there's something to tweak it's just easy to do.'

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