Five Best: Rural Ibizan retreats

Danielle Demetriou tracks down the finest fincas on the White Island

Saturday 30 June 2007 00:00 BST
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Atzaro San Juan

Atzaro is a pioneer of the White Island's agroturismo movement. Set in an orange grove, a finca more than 100 years old takes centre stage. Buddha statues, rugs and Moroccan tadelakt plasterwork add colour to a minimalist backdrop. A spa with "treatment temples" arranged around a lily pond offers therapies such as shiatsu and reiki. Chill with a mojito in the Art and Cocktail lounge before tucking into marinated sardines under the stars.

Atzaro, Carretera Sant Joan 15km, Santa Eulalia (00 34 971 33 88 38; www.atzaro.com). Doubles start at ¿161 (£115), including breakfast.

Can Curreu San Carlos

For a real rural stay – with some luxury trappings thrown in – head to Can Curreu. The restored farmhouse in the heart of the island is run by Vicent Mari. Olive groves, orchards and flowers surround the white cubist cottages, furnished in Ibicencan style: exposed beams, tiled floors and fireplaces. The agroturismo also has a well-regarded restaurant, serving stuffed fillet of iberico pork with ginger and confit of roast piglet. Horse riding and private boat charters for coastal tours are also available.

Can Curreu, Carretera San Carlos km12, near Santa Eulalia (00 34 971 33 52 80; www.cancurreu.com). Doubles start at ¿235 (£168), including breakfast.

Los Jardines de Palerm San José

Exotic gardens contrast with minimalist interiors at Los Jardines de Palerm. The artful creation of the fashion photographer Christophe Brihet and his wife Cristina, an expert in Chinese culture, the 17th-century finca has been transformed into a sleek boutique hotel. Nine serene guestrooms are decked out in marble, iroko wood, sisal rugs, Chinese ceramics and antique manuscripts. Lemon trees, oleander and bougainvillea fill the gardens and spill over the terraces and two infinity pools. Overlooking the Bay of San Antonio next to the village of San José, the hotel feels remote but is still convenient for nearby beaches and bars.

Los Jardines de Palerm, Can Pujol d'en Cardona 34, San José (00 34 971 80 03 18; www.jardinsdepalerm.com). Doubles start at ¿€161 (£115), including breakfast.

Can Talaias San Carlos

Actor Terry-Thomas stumbled across this property in the Sixties while horse riding. The hilltop finca, surrounded by fields and overlooking the north-eastern village of San Carlos, has since been transformed into an elegant home. Ten years ago, it became one of the island's first agroturismo hotels and is today run by Thomas's son, Cushan, and his partner, Laetitia. Curved white walls, wooden floors, exposed beams and fireplaces set the tone throughout the six-bedroom property. But the focus lies outdoors: as well as a large rustic Mediterranean garden where peacocks roam, there is also a plant nursery with two greenhouses nurturing an array of exotic flora, from wild Spanish oaks to cacti.

Can Talaias, San Carlos (00 34 971 33 57 42; www.hotelcantalaias.com). Doubles start at ¿€145 (£104), including breakfast.

Les Terrasses Santa Eulalia

Escape Ibizan hedonism at Les Terrasses. The French-owned finca is a romantic guesthouse, mixing Ibizan hippie chic with stylish Gallic touches. Ten airy guestrooms are scattered throughout the place: think white and pastel washed walls with splashes of candy colour. The active can work off the excesses of the night before in a game of tennis on the grass court, or lounge in style on ruby-red sunbeds by one of the two pools in the lush gardens. But be prepared to bump into a model or two: its stylish décor and chilled ambience ensure it is a popular choice for international fashion shoots.

Les Terrasses, Carretera De Santa Eulalia km1 (00 34 971 33 26 43; www.lesterrasses.net). Doubles start at ¿€150 (£107), including breakfast.

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