KCR Summer 2024 Magazine FINAL 1 - Flipbook - Page 70
TRS IBIZA: IBIZA, BUT MAKE IT
SOPHISTICATED
Ibiza9s orst adults-only, all-inclusive resort renects the changing face of
the island.
Given that I9m lounging on a Balinese bed by a large and brilliantly blue
pool, it seems strangely quiet. No shrieks, so squeals, no splashes, no
wailing. And then I remember that I9m in an adults-only resort, with not
a noaty arm-band to be seen.
Better still, I9m in Ibiza, an island known for its adults-only antics.
That said, Ibiza9s reputation has had a glow-up in recent years, and it9s
become better recognised for its spirituality and wellness oferings, all
of which are perfectly placed within the island9s natural beauty and,
away from the club strip of Sant Antoni, tranquility. The White Isle, as
it9s been called, is purported to have mystical healing qualities, and even
to have one of the most magnetic sites on the planet - a rocky outcrop
named Es Vedrà. It9s from here that ley lines - intangible cords between
the earth and the cosmos - are said to emanate.
TRS Ibiza Hotel, part of the Palladium Group, has drawn upon this
more recent reputation, creating an oasis that feels many miles distant
from Sant Antoni, despite being just a short taxi ride away from legendary clubs such as Eden and Es Paradis, with Ushaïa and Pacha about
another 15 minutes away. The décor plays with soothing neutrals and
a calming palette, which allows the glorious sea and sky views to take
centre stage, and makes for a serene check-in experience, even with the
nearby presence of a bar.
Beyond the lobby, the Zentropia spa is a haven of tranquility, with the
outside area thickly planted to minimise noise from the nearby road. A
yoga session with resident instructor Julio got our Zen (and our sweat he made us work!) in full now, in a way that felt as energising as it was
relaxing. Pilates and Zumba are also on ofer, as well as a range of therapies, including massage and a hydrotherapy circuit. Additionally, there9s
a pool and more Balinese beds, for those wishing to bask in the sun,
away from the main pools. The resort also has access to a beach but, as
beaches in Ibiza aren9t private, you9ll likely encounter members of the
public here - worth considering if it really is a kid-free break you9re after.
Although there are other adults-only resorts on the island, as well as
a slew of all-inclusive ones, TRS is the only one to combine the two
concepts. The vision for the resort is most apparent in its dining spaces:
while all-inclusive often conjures up images of mass-prepared meals,
lunches at Capricho have a number of cooking stations, each manned by
a chef producing small plates, served up in delicate and often sculptural
forms: ceviche, burrata and tartare, to a name a few, as well as heartier
burgers and pizzas, plus platters of hams and cheeses, and a dessert cart
full of temptations.
With its west coast location, TRS makes a prime vantage point for the
blazing sunsets for which Ibiza is famed - and there9s no better place
from which to take these in than the Gravity Rooftop Bar, with its
inonity pool that blends almost seamlessly with the ocean beyond. Once
the sun had disappeared, we headed downstairs to El Gaucho, where a
meaty menu (although with options for vegetarians) was complemented
by luxe interiors and marble accents.
The sparkling main pool was often, surprisingly, almost empty, with
guests appearing to better enjoy reclining on sun loungers listening to
the music provided by poolside entertainment and ordering drinks, provided within their all-inclusive packages. Service around the pool was
generally a little slow; staïng problems now afect many seasonal operations in Ibiza, thanks to skyrocketing rents in the area, which make it
diïcult for transient employees to ond accommodation. Nevertheless, if
your thirst demands to be slaked immediately, you can always peel yourself of your lounger and head to the pool-side bar to place your order.
Guests at TRS Ibiza can upgrade to a Signature Package, which grants
access to a number of beneots, including top shelf spirits, dedicated
poolside lounge areas, free access to the hydrotherapy spa circuit and
exclusive hammock usage at the Gravity Rooftop Bar. Discounts on Zentropia treatments and products are another bonus. Beyond the resort,
perks include exclusive menus in some of Ibiza9s best restaurants, and
VIP access for selected events at Ushaïa, The Hard Rock Hotel and Hi
Ibiza.
For those on the regular package, it may be tempting to stay on-site,
with a view to 8getting your money9s worth9 but it would be a shame to
do so - Ibiza9s beauty demands exploration. On a boat tour with Take
Of Ibiza (takeoïbiza.com) we explored the island9s honeycomb clifs,
framed by blue skies above and by turquoise waters, below. A deeply
hollowed out bowl on the coastline of Port des Torrent shows where
the rock used to build Ibiza9s Old Town was taken from; elsewhere, our
enthusiastic guide, Carlos, points out sprawling mansions owned by
celebrities.
The remarkable colour of the island9s waters, Carlos tells us, comes
from its seabeds, lush with posidonia, a type of seaweed also known as
Neptune Grass. The combination of these greens with the water9s shifting blues is what results in that jewel-like tone - and, unsurprisingly,
means that anchoring on the underwater meadows is largely prohibited.
A long-time local, Carlos takes us around the point, past traditional
osherman9s huts and we pull up in the embrace of a clif face, diving of
the boat into those irresistible waters. Take Of Ibiza prides itself on its
collection of 8luxury toys,9 and we have the opportunity to scud around
grasping Sea Bobs, as well as testing our core muscles on Stand Up
Paddleboards.
And then it9s back to TRS Ibiza, for a onal rooftop cocktail against that
painted-sky sunset, followed by a meal at Helios, which features blue
and white muralled walls, complemented by zig-zagged noor tiles in the
same colours. Mediterranean navours abound on the menu, each dish
superbly cooked and plated.
For a resort only in its third summer of operation, TRS Ibiza seems to
have made a solid start.
Sarah Rodrigues
