Ibiza with kids

The jet set has returned to the world’s most famous party island… with their kids.

Ibiza has always been a playground for the fabulous. In the 1950s and ‘60s, stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Ursula Andress sashayed down its sun-drenched shores, swapping Hollywood’s flashbulbs for a more peaceful idyll. Today the stylish island enclave still attracts members of the jet set, only now they are bringing their children along, with the likes of Elle Macpherson and Alessandra Ambrosio holidaying there, brood in tow. Far from the super-clubs lies a more sophisticated side of the island. Elegantly appointed villas, chic beach restaurants and remote coves are all perfect for families. Founder of beauty website Beauticate, Sigourney Cantelo, canvassed the destination with husband Damien and their children, Max (4) and Luella (6 months).

Here are six reasons to stay.

Viva La Villa

I know I’m probably preaching to the converted, but when you’re travelling with bubs, houses and apartments are easier than hotels. I was still sterilising bottles for Lulu when we visited Ibiza and didn’t fancy showcasing her witching-hour meltdowns each night to a Michelin-starred restaurant. But in Ibiza it’s easy to book a villa – and they are heaven. Think whitewashed walls, infinity pools and rustic gardens. Check out Deliciously Sorted Villas or White Ibiza. Hiring a car is also a no-brainer. Ibiza is 10 times the size of Manhattan island, so there’s plenty to see. Contact Kids In Ibiza to hire any missing car seats, high chair and portacot. It also offers an excellent nanny service, but it books out fast in high season, so decide on your date nights well in advance.

Dine at Cala Bonita

This gorgeous little restaurant just outside of a town called S’Estanyol was partowned by Aussie chef Karen Martini. The food celebrates fresh local seafood (Martini’s signature is a whole wood-smoked and saltcrusted seabass), but the location itself is pretty special, too. The tiny pebbled beach is ideal for water babies as it’s rimmed by cliffs that don’t really invite exploring, so older kids are virtually play-penned in. If you fancy a dip and lunch, the restaurant does sun-lounger service, too. While we’re on dining, Japanese fusion restaurant Nobu recently opened its first hotel outpost here, complete with a glutenfree restaurant, a fabulous beach eatery and of course, the Ibiza chapter of its namesake fine dining destination.

Finish your day at Sunset Ashram

While some of the more obvious sunset watching spots (such as Café del Mar and Café Mambo) are popular with party-goers, Sunset Ashram at Cala Conta on the island’s west side, is a quieter, more European option. Locals mingle with Italian tourists and we didn’t hear a single English conversation. After an early dinner (8pm is nanna-hour in Ibiza – expect to eat at 11pm most nights), we headed down to the beach with mojitos and watched the molten sun drip lazily into the ocean. Max built sandcastles with his Spanish friends and even came home with a few new Spanish words.

Take a boat to Talamanca

An easy boat ride from Ibiza’s main port in the old town, Talamanca is one of Ibiza’s more family-friendly beaches. The water is shallow and bath-like, there are inflatables to hire, and myriad dining options. We parked ourselves on some sun loungers and whiled away the afternoon, rosé in hand, while Lulu napped under a beach umbrella. When she woke up hot and confused, the waiter came to the rescue, rinsing her down with water from the restaurant! In fact, everywhere we went, the staff were incredible with the kids. I’m also told that Aguamar water park and Ocean Mania inflatable water park are great options for older kids.

Sail to Formentera

No trip to Ibiza would be complete without checking out pristine Formentera Island off the coast. Next time we’ll stay a couple of nights there, but you can take a ferry over with your hire car, or do like we did with a group of friends and hire a luxury boat and cruise there with your own skipper. Take lunch at Formentera hotspots Juan y Andrea or Beso Beach, where the long tables are transformed into a dance floor as the sun sets and everyone – from 16-year-olds

Rent a daybed at a beach club

One of the most wonderful things about European beach holidays has to be lounging on the beach while people serve you food and drinks. Two of the best spots to do that are BEACHOUSE Ibiza and El Chiringuito, inspired by St Tropez’s Le Club 55, but with the addition of kids’ corners run by the nannies from Kids in Ibiza. Max emerged hours later with his face painted and wearing some wonderful pasta necklaces. In fact many of the top beach restaurants have kids’ clubs – how civilised!

The daybeds at both Beachhouse and El Chiringuito book out fast in summer so book well before your trip. And then, simply don your Marysia Swim one-piece, add a pair of espadrilles, and you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve sashayed into St Tropez.