The Times calls it ‘the hip hotel everyone is talking about’. So what makes Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, which has just reopened for its first full summer season, quite so special?The name The company is famously spearheaded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert De Niro and restaurateur Drew Nieporent. Together, they developed the Nobu Japanese restaurant brand which now has 38 branches worldwide. The restaurants attract a hip, well-heeled, often celebrity crowd and when Nobu diversified into small upmarket hotels, it chose locations frequented by that same crowd. Though Ibiza still has a party vibe, it has been heading upmarket for some time now and the kind of barefoot luxury that Nobu offers is exactly on trend.The location Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay sits on Talamanca bay, just outside Ibiza Town. The beach is long and curved, edged by a wooden boardwalk and with a good choice of bars and restaurants. The water here is very clear, with sand shelves making it a great spot for swimmers. It’s not the island’s best beach by any means but it’s probably the most social stretch of sand and is great for people-watching.Nobu Hotel Ibiza BayThe facilities These include The Ibiza Bay Spa by Six Senses which has a visiting practioners series with experts in Reiki, Ayurveda, detox and rejuvenation offering workshops and specialised treatments. There are new rooftop/beachside wellbeing and TRX pavilions this season with personalised lessons by yogis and meditation gurus. And to help guests remain beautifully coiffed at all times, the John Frieda hair salon is introducing a new ‘Ibiza-inspired’ blow-dry menu this summer.Nobu restaurant, Nobu Hotel Ibiza BayThe restaurants There are four restaurants and a pool bar though Nobu is naturally the main draw. The menu features a number of Nobu Matsuhisa’s most famous dishes, including the black cod miso and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeño, but has also been tweaked to suit its Mediterranean surroundings. This season Nobu will be open for lunch as well as dinner.Bedroom, Nobu Hotel Ibiza BayThe vibe The feel is very much Ibizan boho meets barefoot luxury in the suites and rooms, with a natural colour palette of white, gold and blue. Super chilled during the day, Ibiza Bay transforms into a chic nightspot after dark. This isn’t an early-to-bed sort of place and yes, you will probably find yourself throwing a few shapes for old time’s sake.

BY MAGGIE O’SULLIVAN