London - August 19, 2005

Rave Review

Guide to Ibiza

Hey, girls. Hey, boys. Looking for a superstar DJ? Here we go.

You’ll find them all in Ibiza. And for every DJ playing on the island, there are thousands of ravers larging it. So if you’re going to get the access you want, know the right people.

First you’ll need wheels. Rental cars are booked months in advance and taxis are surprisingly scarce. Andy at Biggy in Ibiza (+34 630 778 444) will sort you out with a driver for an hour/day/week.

And then there’s Serena Cook (+34 666 127 743). Her concierge service is legendary. She can get you what you want when you want it, be it a villa, a yacht, a doctor, a leg wax or a VIP table at Pacha (flog your house for that one).

With these numbers in your phone, you can relax.

Stroll around Ibiza Old Town, then head to the beach (take your Havaianas; there isn’t much sand about). Stretch your muscles at Sa Punta Yoga on Talamanca beach before caning them on the dance floor, then eat the island’s best seafood lunch at Es Torrent.

When siesta time calls, the coolest beds are in the Hacienda Na Xamena in the north. Cas Gasì serves groovy organic food; Hotel Can Talaias is so laid-back, it’s horizontal. Or rent a villa. There are plenty of hyper-chic pads around, like the new Villa Roca, or opt for a humbler residence at Villas Ibiza.

Hold your own party before hitting the clubs. If you want a trusty barman, Massimo at De Gustibus Catering (+34 629 778 642) concocts a fine mojito (and an exemplary tortilla for the buffet). If you really want to impress your friends (and friends of friends, and a random man called Cosmo who’s been dancing in your garden since yesterday) hire the Ibiza Angels, whose seven-minute massages are in huge demand.

Kick the evening off with cocktails at Bambuddha Grove, then head to El Ayoun, a Moroccan-style hangout with a shop and a private tent.

Then get dancing. First comes Underground, a pre-club club. Then there’s Pacha — très chic and très cher. Amnesia is the home of Cream; Privilege hosts the infamous Manumission nights; Space is crammed from Sunday afternoon til dawn, followed by DC 10 on Monday morning.

When you’ve reached your peak, head to bed after a full body massage with Nanu (+34 659 995 657). She’s the best masseuse in Ibiza. Sleep a while; take a sunset dip in the sea.

And get ready to do it all over again.