Bal Harbour

A s Ibiza's tour ism evolves, a wave of socia lly conscious, lu x ur y hot el s h ave opened t hei r door s , c at er i n g to a wel l-heeled , wel l- ness-focused traveler. Six Senses, located on the nor thern tip of the island, has become the destination for the jet-set, o•ering an amenit y list to meet the demands of the most discerning traveler: sophisticated spaces for socializing or seclusion, a state-of-the-ar t spa , and, as of last summer, a robust nightlife venue focused on ar t , music, and live per formances. Recognizing a gap in bridging culture and program- ming, Six Senses tapped hospitalit y maverick Ben Pundole to envision Beach Caves, a "hotel within a hotel" concept spanning six expansive Mealtime is always a high point of the day. On an island where simple and savory foods reign supreme, the best meals are found by the beach. Since opening in 2020, Casa Jondal remains the island's runaway hit, racking up a devoted list of diners securing reservations far before the spring and summer seasons start. Jondal's space is elegant but understated, situated on a stretch of pristine beachfront; many guests dine barefoot and take in a few laps in the sea between courses.•The menu, envisioned WALK, SWIM, OR SAIL TO CASA JONDAL by Spanish chef and owner Rafa Zafra, embraces a fresh approach over a fussy one, serving seafood hits like charred pulpo a la plancha, herbed mussels in a marinara bath, and caviar-capped boquerones paired to perfection with crisp white wines from France's most lauded cellars.• Casa Jondal is the definition of barefoot luxury, offering unparalleled beachfront dining in a laid-back setting. oceanfront suites, a restaurant , bar, dining room, nightlife venue, and recording studio. The Beach Caves is the first concept hotel of its kind, creating a dialogue between the local community and its international guests. "The objective was to create something that reso- nated as much with the local community as it did with visitors," says Pundole, who has been v isiting the island for decades on his ow n, after being exposed to its siren call as a youth on trips with his family. "I knew exactly who I wanted to work with on this project ," says Pundole, "My friends Diego A lonso and A lexeja Pozzoni, at locally-based AD Studio, brought pure magic to the project. Working with local ar tisans, ar tists, galleries, and desig ners, they brought the spirit of Ibiza into the hotel. Together, we created a narra- tive that celebrates Ibiza's community and culture." This reverence for community and culture is what Ibiza's magic is all about. It's easy to see how summer love can turn into a permanent move, swayed by a simple lifestyle scored by beauty, light, and the rhy thmic sounds of Ibiza's seasons. The pool at Six Senses, designed for both socializing and seclusion. P H OTO BY J O H N AT H I M A R I T I S, CO U R T E S Y O F S I X S E N S E S; C A S A J O N DA L ; O L I V I A LO P E Z BAL HARBOUR 223

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