The Island Vibes at This Ibiza Hotel Reminded Me to Prioritize Joy, Even When I’m Not Feeling It

I sat down in the complimentary car service shortly after arriving at Ibiza Airport on a warm, but breezy June afternoon. And after a few introductions and pleasantries, my driver was ready to get deep real quick.

I let him know that not only was this my first time in Ibiza, it was my first time in Europe. He then proceeded to say that Ibiza isn't like anywhere else in the world; it's an island that comes with life-changing experiences, if you're brave enough to be open to what it has in store. And let's just say, my life definitely changed on the trip.

On the second day of my stay at the Ibiza Gran Hotel, I heard some devastating news that shook the foundation I had worked so hard to build. I won't get into the details of what happened, but safe to say, my stress skyrocketed and I was in no mood to be having any type of fun, despite how exciting our five-day itinerary looked.

Let me take a step back: I was one of the few journalists invited to experience the luxurious amenities and activities that the Ibiza Gran Hotel has to offer. So when the opportunity came to go to Ibiza for a week, how could I say no?

Now, if you're like me, you've probably heard that Ibiza is often considered the party capital of Europe. So when I said yes to joining this trip, I imagined lots of nights spent dressing up in the glitz and glamour, hopping around different bars, and clubbing til the wee hours of the night. That is, until I actually saw what was on the schedule.

Sure, some of that party life was definitely a part of our itinerary, but the carefree and lighthearted culture in Ibiza opens your eyes to way more opportunities for fun than just a good night out. After spending five days in Ibiza, I'm here to tell you that the Ibiza Gran Hotel and the island it sits on have something fun for everyone—no glittery dresses or heels needed (unless you want, of course).

What to expect at the Ibiza Gran Hotel

Before I get into the details of the joyful week I had the privilege of spending on the Balearic Islands, let me tell you a bit more about the incredible property we got to stay at. Please give it up for the 5-star Grand Luxe Ibiza Gran Hotel, the leading independent and Spanish-owned luxury hotel that opened 17 years ago in 2008. What originally started as an art hotel has since emerged into a dynamic space for wellness, gastronomic experiences, and cultural immersion. But the hotel has remained true to its roots, and you can find more than 400 pieces of contemporary art all across the hotel and within the hotel rooms.

And that's just a start. Here's a more in-depth look at what amenities the Ibiza Gran Hotel currently offers:

• 187 masterfully designed suites
• Michelin-star dining at La Gaia by Óscar Molina
• Several other fine dining establishments including Zuma and Cipriani
• On location cocktail bar called Musa
• Complementary breakfast
• Newly opened 14,000 square foot open spa
• Fitness center
• Room service
• Two swimming pools
• Stunning views of Dalt Vila and the Mediterranean Sea
• Free wifi

I had the honor of staying in one of the three pilot rooms that currently sit on the property. An interesting fact: most of the hotels in Ibiza are closed during the fall and winter, since tourism dips during the colder months. That allows places like the Ibiza Gran Hotel to work on new projects every year to spruce up the property. This year, they're working on redecorating the junior suites with reimagined flooring, painting, decor, and more.

I was situated in one of their Panoramic Junior Suites. And at the time of this publishing, the nightly rate on these rooms is 1700 euros, or roughly $2,000. A host of features were included with the room, such as a mini bar with snacks, drinks, and alcohol, a freestanding tub, large mirrors, a toilet with a bidet, a rainfall shower, a king-sized bed, a flat screen TV, and a private balcony with a couch to lounge on outside. And that was just one part of the fun the hotel offered.

Joy is all around us, if you look closely

If you're anything like me, you probably have one too many things on your plate, self-care isn't at the top of your priority list, and making time for fun just isn't in the cards. I like to believe that everything happens for a reason, and coming to Ibiza and embracing the joy that the island oozes was the lesson that I desperately needed to learn.

This is the story of how spending a few days at this luxurious hotel in a city I've never visited reminded me to make time for fun, even if for just a few minutes. I've learned that there's no perfect moment to feel happy. Joy is something you have to meet halfway, and it's something you have to be willing to choose over and over again—not as a reward, but as a right.

Ibiza didn't drastically change my life, but the one thing it did? It reminded me I still have one. And here's how I made the most of it during my time there.

Fun can be rejuvenating

Everyone has their own definition of fun, and Ibiza is the perfect embodiment of that. The first type of fun that I experienced at the hotel was one that was relaxing and restful. On our first full day of the trip, our itinerary was filled with a host of wellness activities—specifically, a yoga class on the terrace, a 22-step water circuit at the Open Spa, and a 50-minute deep tissue massage.

Especially after a long travel day the night before, stretching your body and loosening your muscles was exactly what we all needed. Not to mention, the setting was serene: a stunning view of Dalt Vila in the distance and a light breeze as we moved back and forth from cat to cow.

The early morning light sweat quickly went away when I stepped into the Open Spa water circuit. With a variety of pools, spas, cold plunges, steam rooms, and saunas, the hydrotherapy circuit was everything I needed to disconnect from the outside world and tune in with my body.

Hours later, I went in for my massage, and I'll be honest, it hurt *so* good. My body isn't exactly used to massages; this was only the second one I ever got. I've learned that I have trouble relaxing, but my massage therapist guided me to focus on my breath, think of my happy place, and let myself go. The 50 minutes went by so quickly, but when I came out of it, I could physically feel the knots in my back were untied.

In my head, fun always meant that I had to be doing something exciting. But it turns out that enjoying the simple things at the Ibiza Gran Hotel, like a dip in the pool or a trip to the spa (as the iconic Sharpay Evans once said), allows your body to rest and your mind to feel less stressed. And doesn't being relaxed actually just create more time and space to have fun? Sounds like a win-win to me.

Fun can be breathtaking

If there's one stark contrast between European and American culture, it's that the people across the Atlantic Ocean value a slower pace of life. (And I'm so jealous about it, if anyone was wondering.) Outside of enjoying the hotel's amenities, we also had the opportunity to explore the relaxing vibes in nearby towns and villages. We visited Santa Gertrudis, a charming village with cozy shops and cute restaurants, and Dalt Vila, a historical neighborhood with breathtaking views of the sea.

Because I'm so used to the modern architecture here in the States, I was in awe of the historical buildings that these towns have still preserved. I am a new owner of my very first camera, and I may or may not have had a little too much fun trying to capture the beauty of the nooks and crannies on every street we strolled through. All the restaurants were mom-and-pop shops, art galleries carried artwork from local creators, and clothing stores offered unique fashion—quite the difference from the franchised stores I'm used to seeing in America.

Spending time in these little towns made me truly admire the beauty of other corners of this world. There's a whole universe out there with places we won't ever get to see, and having the opportunity to walk the walk of the Ibizan people, even if just temporarily, didn't just bring me a whole lot of joy, but a sense of appreciation for the world we live in (and okay, okay, lots of pictures for my photo album, too).

Fun can be adventurous

Let me start out by saying that not one person looks at me and thinks, Wow, this girl is so spontaneous! And they're right, because I'm not. I appreciate the cozy things in life and look forward to moments of luxury. So when I saw that we had a boat day listed on the itinerary, I wasn't exactly looking forward to it—and it was mostly because I get extremely seasick, no matter how much motion sickness medicine I take.

People were made to live on land, and that's exactly where I like to be. Don't get me wrong, I love admiring the ocean. Being on it though? Not so much. Alas, I decided to be a trooper and still hopped onto the boat, even though walking over the rocks in the water with my bare feet wasn't the most enjoyable experience.

I'll be honest, I didn't expect to like this part of the day—I was really just going for the vibes and to be able to spend time with the new journalist friends I had made on the trip. But the dark blue hues of the ocean, hills filled with greenery, and the warm sun over my face were very quickly changing my mind.

I ended up taking a nap, because as I've learned, relaxing is fun for me. But this was an opportunity for me to get over my fear of the ocean, out of my comfort zone, and experience a part of Ibiza I didn't know existed. Sure, sometimes new experiences can feel a little uncomfy, but there's a lot of happiness that you can find in yourself when you do something you never thought you'd even try. Most people don't hear Ibiza and immediately think nature, but the multifacetedness of the island is an unexpected but welcome surprise.

Fun can be thrilling

Okay, okay, I'm sure you're dying to hear about the party scene. As I've gotten older, I feel like I'm less and less interested in spending my nights listening to loud music at the club. But, we had the opportunity to go to a cabaret show (which, to be fair, later turns into a club). And let me tell you, it was the most fun I had on the trip.

Just steps away from the Ibiza Gran Hotel is a restaurant called Lio that features a dinner with a live show. We were situated near the front of the stage, having exclusive access to seeing all the performances up close. Yeah, the food was good—but what really took the cake was the spectacular show that kept us entertained all night. From singing performances to sensual dancing, and a few risqué jokes in between, Lio was the perfect place to let loose.

The performers would frequent our table, telling us to get up, sing along with the music, and dance like no one was watching, even though there were more than 400 people sitting at the venue with us. After what had been a pretty stressful and emotional week for me, Lio gave me the chance to momentarily stop caring about my problems and have some fun, no matter how silly I looked. This was the perfect example of me meeting joy halfway. I wasn't exactly in the mood to be loudly jamming to the early 2000s hits that were playing all night, but I forced myself to do it anyway. And sometimes, reminding yourself that it's okay to feel heavy but laugh anyway is exactly the point.

A few final thoughts

The Ibiza Gran Hotel is an amalgamation of everything this beautiful island off the coast of Spain has to offer. From incredible art and architecture and spaces for rest and recovery to proximity to nature and nightlife alike, it's the perfect blend of experiences. And despite what you may have heard, Ibiza isn't just a party town. There truly is something for everyone, regardless of what stage of life you're in or what emotions you're going through.

So if my story has inspired you to make joy a priority in your life, then what are you waiting for? Book your luxurious stay and experience all that this island has to offer. It might just change your life, too.