Nature, disconnection and stillness; at Aguamadera, Ibiza, travellers are embracing a way of life that still slips under the radar on the Balearic island often associated with late nights.
14 August 2023
Just when we thought we had seen it all, just when the White Isle seemed to hide no more secrets, suddenly: Aguamadera. This is Ibiza in its truest form, an Ibiza striving to retain what it once had. However, Aguamadera is also a tangible example of an Ibiza with its sights set on the future. It is fueled by reconnection, sustainability, conscious travel, and a return to its roots—a project that comes from the heart, backed by a family of experts in hospitality and hotel management.
Why Choose Aguamadera, Ibiza?
This is one of the most beautiful countryside hotels we have seen in a long time. Simplicity in Aguamadera is radical in its efforts to become a shrine of healing. Therefore, this is the place for those who wish to feel immersed in absolute peace without missing out on all the fun. Imagine long conversations after supper under a sky full of stars, a percussion concert at sunset, or an exhibition in its agora—don’t call it a lobby, it isn’t—where everything happens, and each experience blends into the next among whitewashed walls, long wooden tables, iconic 20th-century industrial design, and dark leather chairs.
The Backstory
Everything began with an encounter between Pablo Fernández-Valdés, a hotel businessman, and Iria Urgell, co-founder of the Pachá group. It was they who saw this agricultural estate, built in 1888, as the location to create their vision. With 27 acres of valleys, pine groves, and lush Mediterranean vegetation, this remote hideout is far from the frenzy Ibiza is now well known for. They chose the name Aguamadera after the property underwent a transformation where light was prioritized, and the outdoors playfully brought inside. In English, Aguamadera translates as “waterwood,” emphasizing a journey into the essence of nature.
The Hotel
Conceived as a refuge where nature, gastronomy, and art all amplify a holistic life, you will notice from the moment you arrive that this is not the typical hotel. Everyone in the young, friendly team flows from one space to the next, ready to assist without being overbearing. During the day, only the cicadas and the crackling of the wood-fired kitchens break the silence. At night, live music and friendly chatter create a delightful atmosphere, as the hotel welcomes visitors with reservations.
Aguamadera features rooms in the main house that overlook a large porch and swimming pool, as well as four separate houses situated in the old corrals. Each room offers beautiful views and a range of modern amenities, including fireplaces, private patios, air conditioning, underfloor heating, king-size beds, rain showers, and spacious wardrobes.
Food and Drink
Fire is at the essence of the kitchen, which operates without electricity or gas. The permaculture garden provides home-grown vegetables to complement a carefully selected range of local suppliers, all aiming to elevate the dining experience. Executive chef Gonzalo Cerrato Laguna orchestrates dishes that emphasize pure flavors through open-fire cooking. Expect delightful preparations featuring meat, fish, seafood, and seasonal vegetables cooked over crackling embers.
The à la carte breakfast delights in its simplicity, enhanced by the organic and imperfect beauty of tableware created by Sarah Jerath. These charming, asymmetrical designs add a unique touch, elevating the morning experience.
Wellness
Engaging in spontaneous conversations by the pool with AzUL, one of the owners, provides insights into what wellness embodies at Aguamadera—listening to the silence to ultimately listen to ourselves, wandering along the estate’s paths at dawn, or heading down to the nearby coves for a refreshing swim.
The hotel offers holistic wellness experiences, such as ceremonies, storytelling, soul reading, and energy work. Private services, including personal training sessions, breathing exercises, sound healing, and therapeutic massages, are available upon request.
Sustainability and Accessibility
Aguamadera prioritizes sustainability, featuring not only a permaculture garden but also beehives for natural wax candles used throughout the hotel. Geothermal energy powers the main air conditioning system, and there is a meticulous waste control plan in place. Accessibility may be challenging due to the hotel’s location on steep, rocky terrain; however, the team strives to facilitate access and answer any inquiries guests may have.
Year-Round Experience
Aguamadera will be open all year round, contributing to the long-awaited deseasonalization of the Balearic Islands. In response to the challenges of mass tourism, this retreat offers opportunities to experience the mild climate and sunny days throughout winter. The initiative aims to create a community around the hotel, offering specific yoga courses, artistic gatherings, weekend detox plans, and countless opportunities to enjoy Ibiza’s enchanting off-season charm.
