Boutique Hostal Salinas is not a hostel. It´s a very cool boutique hotel. It regularly hosts some of the island´s best dj´s. It's our head of VIP´s favourite Ibiza bar. Add to this a growing reputation as an excellent quality restaurant and well, we at Ibiza Spotlight thought it was high time we checked it out.
Hippies, Gentlemen and Djs
Popular with ´those in the know,' the building itself has an interesting history, starting life in the 1960´s as the bar of choice for the newly invading hippies before doing a brief stint as ‘gentlemen´s establishment'. Ahem. It was closed down and lay empty for a while, before Dave, Duesi and Anita, proprietors of legendary Ibiza bar, Locura Lounge, took it over 4 years ago. Locura lounge are the musical maestros who host El Salon at the weekly We Love Sundays parties at Space. We are talking serious credibility.
Stunning Nature Reserve and Beach
Located in the Salinas natural reserve, close to the bus station with its own private car-park and pool, it provides a cool and stylish alternative to the ubiquitous Salinas beach bars. With plenty of shaded areas, a lounging pool and a restaurant bar all on one level offering good disabled access, we liked the sound of this Ibiza bar and restaurant more every minute.
Your intrepid Ibiza Spotlight reviewers breezed in one typically warm, bright and sunny Ibiza lunch-time. I must admit, we were early. They were barely open and their friendly bartender, Javier, was performing his opening duties, setting tables, cutting fruit and the like. Far from being put out by our early appearance, he immediately offered us a smile, a seat and a cocktail. Good start!
Perfect Mojitos
We settled down with a couple of perfectly mixed mojitos and were joined by co-owners Dave and Duesi . We discussed the gorgeous sounding Mediterranean menu whilst nibbling on fresh country bread, garlic mayo and nice, plump, juicy olives. The menu sounded mouth-watering with lots of veggie options and some unusually creative sounding dishes, such as cod baked with tomato, garlic and mint.
Michelin Stars and Secret Weapons
“Our chef, Daniel Gastalver Lopez from Seville, is our secret weapon,” confided Duesi . He used to work in a Michelin starred restaurant and at the tender age of 21, was the resident chef for Fidel Castro on the family yacht as they cruised the Caribbean. Wow. That is some pedigree! We couldn't wait to begin the feast!
I started with the gazpacho and my friend had the Serrano ham. The meat comes from Galicia and they dry-cure it themselves by hanging it in the traditional way. It was delectably moist and flavoursome, indeed, my friend confided (between large mouthfuls), that she doesn't usually like Serrano ham. Chuckling, I tucked into my gazpacho, which was not only large but actually the best I have ever tasted. I can assure you that this accolade comes from someone who has lived in Spain for 14 years and eaten many, many gazpachos! Made with fresh green tomatoes, melon and served with plump mozzarella and tomato skewers, I was in gazpacho heaven!
Next up were the crispy fried prawns for me and for my friend, the succulent sirloin steak, sprinkled with fresh rosemary from the garden and accompanied by proper roast potatoes, in their jackets. Soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside. Absolutely perfect.
My quite frankly massive king prawns came wrapped in crispy, unapologetically deep fried potato noodles that melted in my mouth. Accompanied by a deliciously smooth yet tangy strawberry coulis and quite possibly the best guacamole in Ibiza. The chillies that they use to make it are brought over especially from Mexico. The plate was empty in record time.
Restaurant Surprise of the Year?
The house red which accompanied the feast was a smooth, well-rounded Rioja which went down very well indeed. Conclusion, ladies and gentlemen? Quite aside from being a very cool hotel, Ibiza Spotlight can reveal that Boutique Hostal Salinas is a pearl amongst Ibiza restaurants. In fact, it could be our restaurant surprise of the year!
Two Fantastic Special Offers!
Firstly, their lunch-time ´menu del dia' from 12-4pm allows you to choose a whopping three courses from a set menu for the saintly sum of just €15!! If you are more of a night owl and prefer dinner under the stars listening to some of the coolest djs on the planet, then just €40 gets you a delectable 3 course, a la carte meal and half a bottle of wine! Just mention Ibiza Spotlight when you book. Heads up, Ibiza lovers and see you there!
Quick Facts
What? Boutique Hostal Salinas
Where? Salinas Nature Reserve, opposite the bus station
When? Lunch and Dinner everyday, all summer
Why? Truly wonderful cuisine. Great Location. Superb value.
Average spend per head? Special Ibiza Spotlight dinner deal: 3 courses and wine, just €40!
Lunch-time deal: 3 courses from a set menu €15! (drinks extra).
Veggie Options? Yes, lots!
Disabled Facilities? Yes! The terrace is very accessible and all on one level.
Top tips? Don't miss their cool, vintage market on Sundays and yes, take your
swimwear! Shop, lounge, eat and sip cocktails by the pool, all at the same time!!!
Room for Improvement? The seating could be a tad more comfy.
To Book or for More Information
Please see Boutique Hostal Salinas to make a reservation or for more information.
