In short… The White Isle’s first ever hotel has been made over from OG party pad to Dalt Vila dreamscape by Paris-based Experimental Group.
The surroundings… It feels as though you could reach out and touch Ibiza’s Dalt Vila from your bedroom window, with views of the apricot-hued Old Town framed by elegant drapes in shades of cornflower blue or bubblegum pink. Mere moments away, the yacht-lined marina and pedestrianized Vara de Rey are made for people watching.
The vibe… This lemon-meringue-coloured icon has a twinkle in its eye, having welcomed an artsy social crowd and free spirits for decades (Orson Welles, Pink Floyd, and Carolina de Monaco, to name a few). It’s wonderfully mellow during the daytime—when most guests are out beach hopping or sailing to nearby Formentera—and late afternoon slips into blissed-out DJ sets and sundowners the cocktail-crafting Experimental Group is celebrated for. There’s something very Seventies about the whole experience, that you half expect a Hollywood star to appear, barefoot and bronzed, to order a rum-heavy, ice-cold Old Cuban to sip over a game of backgammon (vibrant boards can be borrowed from reception).
The rooms… Your covetable, orange-tasselled key unlocks one of 33 rooms, over which Parisian designer Dorothée Meilichzon has waved her cosmic wand. Sea shells are imprinted into the walls adorned with ceramic masks by Mallorcan artist Anna Alexandra, and crescent moon cut-outs filter natural light between the bedroom and terracotta-clad bathroom. Scallop-edged coffee tables are laden with books on the island (flick through the sun-drenched scenes of Ibiza’s great poster artist, Oriol Maspon), and chic beach bags stuffed with burnt-orange towels are ready to grab from fringed sofas or playdough sculpted stools by Diego Faivre. Bobbin mirrors, angular rattan lighting, and geometric statement headboards complete the celestial picture.
The wellness… There’s no spa or pool onsite at Montesol Experimental, but there’s something to be said for the vitamin-packed breakfast juices (and tomato-vodka-miso wake-up cocktails).
The food & drink… On the ground floor, Café Montesol spills onto a leafy terrace for all-day dining and drinks by Basque-born chef Alex Larrea. Breakfast (8am to 4pm) is a leisurely affair of golden pastries, fresh fruit in a prettily presented yoghurt and granola bowl, and the option to order à la carte from hangover-curing chantilly and cinnamon French toast, chocolate crêpes, and eggs any way you like. Spanish sharing plates made using island-grown ingredients see you through lunch, and the robata menu kicks off from 7pm each evening (try to reserve the alcove table that’s studded with shells and lit by locally made ceramic candlesticks). The chimichurri beef sirloin and salt-baked red prawns pair perfectly with the signature patatas bravas. Come sunset, head up to the hotel’s rooftop for superb sushi and clever cocktails like the Shirakaba—a sake, sakura cordial, and lemon bitter concoction—overlooking the UNESCO-listed citadel. The sobrasada, brie, and honey rolls are a fabulous fusion of flavours, and the homemade mochi which melt in the evening glow are worth saving some room for.
Extra tip goes to… Montesol Experimental’s charismatic manager Grégoire Laboureur is brimming with insider tips about the island. Om Boutique was one of his stylish recommendations, where you can pick up handmade cowboy boots, Western-style leathers studded with turquoise, and molten jewellery.
Be sure to… Spend at least one day at Experimental Beach. Ask reception to reserve a sunbed, as this popular spot starts to fill up from midday. A 20-minute drive through the flamingo-dotted salt flats of Las Salinas brings you to a rocky outcrop perched above impossibly blue waters. The beach club’s palette is designed to match, with slate-grey loungers and sky-blue scatter cushions setting the scene for chilled DJ sets, generous pitchers of sangria, and salt encrusted sea bass delivered to your cabana. Enjoy a cheeky chocolate mousse in your bikini while you’re at it.
Parting words… As one of the few Balearic hotels open throughout the year, Montesol Experimental is an ideal base for experiencing off-season Ibiza when the beaches are at their most serene. Dedicate some time (and budget) to the thoughtfully curated boutiques in both the lobby and beach club, too. You’ll discover Spanish labels and Balearic artisans which will make you want to take a little piece of Ibiza home with you.
Date of stay… 25-27 May 2025
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