Ibiza, often known as the White Island for its typical architecture, became a significant center of touristical attraction during the 1960s, becoming then well-known for its "Hippie-Culture" and nudist beaches.
These days Ibiza has an ample offer as well for families and older visitors, anyhow, still you will find the young ones who are attracted by the island's rollicking nightlife, which already starts within the afternoon, at the beaches and within the center of town, to continue until dawn in the numerous discotheques.
If you leave the beaches behind you, to explore the island's interior, you will find a pure and simple Mediterranean culture, and remains of populations which inhabited Ibiza thousands of years ago, as for example the well-known wall-paintings of Ses Fontelles.
Perfectly situated in Ibiza's Yacht Harbour of Marina Botafoch, Ocean Drive Hotel combines retro glamour with its instantly recognizable art deco design. It was inspired by the architecture of Miami's South Beach, also as New York's roaring 20's . Ocean Drive Hotel is situated in close proximity to Ibiza's beautiful beaches, the famous Pacha nightclub, also as the island's "Old Town", an UNESCO World heritage site.
In defiance of local custom, Ocean Drive owner Marc Rahola has officially opened the hotel year round, offering guests a rejuvenating island retreat beyond Ibiza's legendary summer nightlife. Still, the hotel remains best known for its insider access to this island's thriving club scene and often plays host to high profile DJs, who lure guests and locals alike to Ocean Drive's scenic chill-out lounge terrace. Unlike other hotels on the island, breakfast is served until 4pm, ideal for those lazy mornings following a late night of drinks and dancing.
The hotels's art deco aesthetic is reflected by its Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier furniture. Each of the 40 elegant guest rooms are outfitted in mellow tones of lavender and chocolate, with views of either the sparkling Mediterranean Sea or Ibiza's mountain vistas. Serving health-conscious cross-over cuisine with Asian, Latin American and European influences, the restaurant is decorated with classic furnishings in muted hues and soft lighting.
The culture and style of Ibiza is as varied as its pronunciation ("e-vee-tha" or "e-bee-tha" or "e-bee-zha," depending on where you're from). And you'd be hard-pressed to find such a cosmopolitan mix outside Paris or Manhattan. Ibiza attracts all sorts of people with its vibrant nightlife, gorgeous beaches and ideal Mediterranean climate.
The Greeks called Ibiza and Formentera the Islas Pitiusas (Islands of Pine Trees). The landscape is harsh and rocky, and also the island receives small rainfall. Alongside the hardy pines, the most common crops are olives, figs and almonds. Maybe surprisingly, about half the island (particularly the fairly unspoilt northeast) remains covered by thick woods. Indeed, driving around the back roads of the north would be to plunge into a rural idyll - not what 1 associates with Ibiza at all!
A rugged coastline is interspersed with dozens of sandy beaches, most consumed by intensive tourist developments. A couple of out-of-the-way beaches stay, but in summer you won't be performing much solitary swimming.
The island is really a major tourist spot and the nightlife is the major attraction here. The island functions Privilege nightclub which is also the world's largest club. The other well-known nightclubs here are DC10, Pacha, Space, Eden (Sant Antoni's busiest nightclub), Amnesia (well-known for the foam parties) and Es Paradis (well-known for the water parties).
