Hayley Barclay visits Ibiza with her toddler and discovers the party island is more family-friendly than you might think…

When I told my friends I was taking my two-year-old son to Ibiza, they laughed at me. Not even politely, either.  These were the same friends I stayed up till dawn with at Ushuaia and then slept on the beach because we couldn’t find our room keys. So a toddler and Ibiza – about as compatible as soft play and a sound bath. But partying, clubs and hedonism aside, the small Balearic island also has a gentler, more spiritual side. A global hippy movement started in Ibiza in the Sixties and the art, culture and wellness scene is thriving – you just have to know where to find it. Avoid the madness of San Antonio and Playa d’en Bossa and opt for more sedate areas such as Talamanca and Santa Eulalia. 

Spain is very family-friendly and Ibiza is no exception. Agro-tourism, food and yoga are big business in the White Isle so my idea was not quite as deranged as it seems. Ibiza is not particularly cheap, however. While flight prices can be affordable, a decent family-friendly hotel where you don’t need a car will be pricey so shoulder season from September to May is a good time to travel. We flew direct from Manchester Airport with Jet2 – by far the most family-friendly airline I have used. My son’s teddy got its own passport and they even did a last-minute name change free of charge. 

EasyJet allows 20kg of luggage per person and I highly recommend an Osprey wheeled travel bag which is great for packing full of toys. A Briggs & Rileyhard case was also a durable but very stylish addition for our Ibizan adventure. Making your life as easy as possible is key when travelling with young children so for a stress-free departure, we stayed at the Radisson Blu Manchester Airport the night before. A runway view room and a lovely dinner at the property‘s Collage restaurant got us in the holiday mood. Prices start at £119 a night. 

Nobu Ibiza Bay 

First stop was Nobu Ibiza Bay. It’s completely fabulous. And from the moment you step inside, everything is taken care of. It’s all so zen and unhurried that any leftover stress from the journey just disappears. 

The 152-room property is located right on the shores of Talamanca Bay and about a 15-minute drive from the airport, on the island’s southern side. A stunning view of the pool and the sea greets you upon arrival and absolutely everything is five-star – from the champagne check in to the smartly turned out staff making a fuss of our toddler. The hotel opened in 2017 and is the third Spanish installment of the luxury hospitality brand founded by Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro. 

The Room

We stayed in a one-bedroom sea view suite with a huge terrace overlooking the family pool. His and hers bathrooms are always a massive bonus and two brilliant touches were the vast, circular standalone bath and a Dyson Air Wrap. The decor is beachy chic with ceramics and hand-blown glass everywhere. A few pricey-looking “objets” had to be moved out of the way of sticky, grabby hands but there was plenty of space.The terrace overlooked the family pool and had sunbeds, a dining table and even though we were on the first floor corner, it felt completely private. Other nice additions that made the room more toddler-friendly was a separate living space with a sofa, a huge TV and room aplenty for playing.

The Facilities

There are two pools at Nobu Ibiza Bay – one adults only and one for families. There is also a lifeguard on duty, children’s swim toys and a poolside juice bar.

The kids’ club, for “little bohos”, was what I wished my son’s bedroom looked like – Scandi toys, crafts and zero chaos – the dream! Normally, kids have to be aged four and up to be left there alone but since it was quiet, they made an exception. My son loved it – a cool, calm haven. 

During high season the club also offers activities such as DJ workshops, master chef sessions, pirate days and sandcastle building. 

For older kids there’s horse riding and even sailing. It’s open from 10am until 6pm everyday and if you want an evening off, they offer a babysitting service for 25 eur an hour. 

For adults there’s a gorgeous spa, hiking, yoga, a gym with pilates Reformer machines, as well as crystal meditation and breath work – you will be awash with wellness! 

The Food 

To start the day, Nobu Ibiza’ beachside breakfast buffet was magnificent – from omelettes to smoothies to cakes. My toddler lost his mind. There is also Chambao – the hotel’s laidback chiringuito restaurant, with tables on the sand and the most glorious view. Guests are invited to dine in their flip flops so it’s definitely more laidback than the hotel’s main restaurant but the food is just as epic. We tried artichoke alla Brace (in truffle and goat’s cheese), lobster, cod and asparagus tempura, steak tartare, Iberian ham pizza and grilled salmon, to name a few. But the jewel in Nobu’s crown is the six-course Omakase menu – we booked a babysitter for this one. Omakase means ‘I’ll leave it to you” so you’re at the chef’s whimsy and the dishes change daily. Black miso cod, tacos and popcorn bread and butter pudding made for an unforgettable night off. 

Rooms from 390€ / £322 in low season and 980€ / £810 in high season. 

Can Lluc Hotel 

Our next stop was inland at the Can Lluc Hotel, located in a quiet valley a few miles from San Rafael. It’s a luxury boutique family-run finca spread over 25 acres and accommodation options range from hideyholes in the 200-year-old original farmhouse to private villas dotted around the grounds. After sweeping in the gates you’re greeted by a beautiful terrace restaurant and reception adorned with sweet-smelling jasmine. From there, you almost explore your way to your room through secret little paths and shortcuts. It’s magical. 

The Room

The best option for families is probably one of the property’s Mediterranean Garden Villas. Each comes with a kingsize bed, sofa bed, and a large, private garden with a pergola. The Balinese bed was also a lovely spot for toddler siesta or for reading in the shade. There was also a cute water feature in ours that amused our son for hours. The garden was truly glorious – fragrant and lush – perfect for unwinding with a glass of wine when our son went to bed. 

For older children, there is the hotel’s Grand Suites with a private infinity pool, overlooking the finca and mountains. After inspection, though to die for, the suites were just too smart and elegant for a toddler – I was stressed just standing in there with him, while he plotted his next move. We were advised that guests aged five and over would be more suitable. So a good reason to return! 

The Facilities

Though no kids club, Can Lluc is extremely family friendly – possibly because it is family run and the owner Luca was expecting his first grandchild when we visited. There is so much space to run around and so much to see, hear and smell for younger guests. The pool is clean and big – although unmanned and deep – so arm bands are a must. In keeping with the rest of the property, it is surrounded by beautiful gardens and beds and is utterly peaceful. For parents, there is daily sun rise yoga on the terrace, as well as a spa and a sauna. 

Nearby Cala Salada beach was a lovely day trip if you want to go to the beach. It’s a small cove surrounded by pine-forested hills with a buzzy beach bar with affordable food. It’s a bit of a hike down (and up) and there is no phone signal so make sure you plan your way back. 

The Food 

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served at the hotel’s terrace restaurant – you guessed it, overlooking glorious fauna. Breakfast was a plentiful buffet including freshly baked goods and pancakes –  a favourite was the honey and herb-infused cake. 

In the evening there are themed nights and live music and the menu is traditionally Mediterranean with produce grown in the finca. Nothing pretentious – just awesome, hearty and fresh. You can also dine by the pool or in your room if it takes your fancy. 

Can Lluc is all about nature, families and finding your zen – a must stop if you want something a bit more boutique and remote. 

Rooms from 330€ / £286 in low season and 409€ / £330 in high season. 

S’Argamessa Palace

Our third and final stop was S’Argamessa Palace, located right next to the beach in Santa Eulalia del Rio on the eastern coast of the island. It’s a decent, four-star property with a large restaurant and bar and a lovely big pool. Its biggest selling point is probably its proximity to Cala Pada beach though with its sheltered waters and bustly cafes.
 

The Room

We stayed in a suite with a separate living area that turned into a second bedroom. The bathrooms are all newly refurbished in beachy tones and we had a large, plant-filled terrace that felt completely secluded. Each suite also comes with a kitchenette which is great for families in need of a fridge for milk and snacks.
 

The Facilities

There is a nice, shallow children’s pool and plenty of loungers to relax, an onsite gym and even a cute miniature golf course. 

The beach is a five-minute stroll and we spent most of our time there. The staff were brilliant at suggesting things to do and one receptionist even offered to watch our son for five minutes one morning after he was being particularly challenging and I needed a breather. The hotel is also opposite Acrobosc Ibiza Climbing Park which would be fabulous for older kids.

The Food 

The continental breakfast buffet was plentiful and fresh with very good coffee and a cooking station where you can get omelettes or any type of eggs. There’s also a large outside area tucked away which was perfect with a noisy toddler. Evening meals and snacks are served in the same place and we had a gorgeous dinner on our last night with the terrace to ourselves where we dined on fresh seafood, antipasti and local wine. 

Rooms from 178€ / £152 in low season and 288€ / £246 in high season.

Things to do in Ibiza with children 

There are loads of parks and play centers for children dotted around the island, especially in Ibiza town and the less raucous beaches are quiet and clean. You can try kid-friendly crafts and cooking at Beach House Ibiza and if you want to go full earth mum, there are even retreats dedicated to mother and baby yoga. But if you still want a bit of a party fix, there is the pleasingly mad Fam-Bu-Ku pool party brunch for families every Sunday at Bam-Bu-Ku club in San Antonio. It’s a sensory overload of music (there’s even a DJ), cartoon characters, dancing, bubbles, brightly coloured cocktails/mocktails and face painting. It’s not for the faint of heart but it’s so much fun, even for adults, and amazing for people watching too. 

Before we left, we also had lunch at Aiyanna on Cala Nova beach near Es Canar, also in Santa Eulalia. It’s one of the finest, but still family-friendly places to eat on the island with the most wondrous views. It’s full of fabulously-dressed scenesters, sun-tanned moguls and families – such a treat. Plenty of cocktails, lobster fettuccine, grilled watermelon, seabass and pistachio cake later we were ready to roll to the airport. 

Ibiza was a blast – don’t let its clubby reputation put you off (though I couldn’t resist buying my son a Pacha t-shirt) Great weather, wellness, wonderful good the Spanish attitude of “cuanto más, mejor” will see you right. 

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