PAX exclusive: A trip to Ibiza's Sol Beach House

Even on a Friday afternoon, in the middle of siesta, the swanky Sol Beach House in Ibiza, Spain was full of beachgoers. The only catch was, they didn’t come for the ocean, but instead, to lounge on the chaises of whitewashed pool decks, where an inviting pool glimmered under the sun.

The Sol Beach House is owned and operated by luxury chain Melia Hotels International, under the umbrella of Sol Hotels & Resorts. Scattered throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Canary Islands, the Sol brand takes an elevated approach to a beach holiday. In 2015, Sol completely rebranded its image in order to offer four signature concepts which cater to travellers seeking unique experiences. The four concepts include Sol Beach House, Sol House, Sol Hotels & Sol Katmandu Park & Resort. The overriding theme in any property is the hippie-chic vibe, chill music, elevated poolside snacks and drinks, and of course, the service.

Walking into the lobby of Sol beach House Ibiza, the decor was hard not to notice. Immediately, the ceiling caught our eyes, with a series of blown-glass lights that cast a relaxing glow throughout. White wicker chairs with modern-chic decor, like floral and flamingo pillows were placed in sections of the lobby, and tables offered up art and fashion magazines for browsing. Pastel-coloured artwork decorated the walls, and the smell of coconut-scented sunscreen left a trace in the air.

Personal pool house, or hotel?

Taking an elevator up several floors, we received a tour of one of Sol Beach House Ibiza’s Beach House Rooms. These rooms in particular offer two twin beds or one queen bed. After its rebuild, the property now has 239 rooms and suites, each of which invite guests out onto the balcony of a spacious terrace. Stepping outside, the room we were in provided views to the large pool below, where guests were splashing and having a great time. Just a few hundred metres away, the Mediterranean Sea and stunning views of surrounding Ibiza could be seen.

All of the furniture in the rooms has been carefully selected to make guests feel as though they are, in fact, in a beach house. Fresh white linens are complemented by colourful decorative pillows, and a sophisticated cloth rocking chair done in blue and white, like the sand and ocean, sat in the corner. Designed for millennials and young adults looking to unwind and relax, there was even a nightstand in the corner, filled with popular novels in both Spanish and English, that could be enjoyed by the pool or back in the room.

Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, a satellite TV, individually controlled air conditioning, a mini bar and bathroom amenities, that included carefully-selected amenities that make for a perfect beach day, including complimentary sunscreen and aftersun as well as beach towels. Additional rooms include the Beach House Front Sea View rooms, the Xtra Beach front sea View rooms, the Beach House Junior Suite, the Beach House Xtra Junior Suite, the Beach House Xtra Suite, and the Beach House Master Suite.

Snack shack redefined

Who knew that relaxing by the pool and staring at the ocean could work up such an appetite? The Sol Shack Chiringuito isn’t your typical beach snack shack. While you won’t find french fries and hotdogs here, you will find a great selection of elevated snack experiences, like freshly-squeezed tropical juices that can be turned into any smoothie you can imagine, to full course meals that use local Spanish ingredients, like fresh grilled fish and root vegetables.

The long wooden tables are a modern take on a picnic table, and are perfect for large groups. Plus, you can still see the ocean and catch a nice breeze while you eat. Here is a nice place to escape the hot midday sun, while enjoying a cold glass of sparkling Cava and mouth-watering meals.

Pool or ocean?

At Sol Beach House Ibiza, you don’t have to choose saltwater over freshwater. There are two very large pools located on the property, and whether you choose the upper deck or lower deck, you can still marvel at the sight of the sea. Both pools are surrounded by a wide pool deck decorated in lounge chairs, so even if you’re not interested in taking a dip, it’s a good place to tan, read a book, unwind, or all three!

The sun loungers are free to use, but for guests looking for an even more comfortable experience, Bali beds can be rented out for the day. Upon arrival, we experienced the Bali beds firsthand. The Bali beds are generously padded for ultimate comfort, and a stand-up umbrella is provided, so you can shelter yourself for the sun. Sol Beach House staff were also extremely attentive, often stopping by to ask if more sunscreen or refreshments were needed.

Despite the amount of people at the Sol Beach House Ibiza, the surroundings were surprisingly quiet, as the consensus all around seemed to be that this was the ultimate spot to unplug and relax.