It’s not often you stroll through a working farm and stumble across a sauna pod in the middle of a herb garden. But this is no ordinary countryside location. Atzaró sits on a lush 13-hectare estate of abundant gardens and orange groves so it feels like luxe spa hotel meets Spanish country retreat.
Far away from the Ibiza buzz and dancefloors, Atzaró is deep in the Spanish countryside on the more tranquil north side of the island. The vast estate (don’t forget your flats) means there’s always a new area to roam, or different daybed-with-a-view to commandeer.
Silent at night – besides the sound of nature doing its thing – it’s the kind of hotel where city-goers occasionally request if the chirping ‘frog soundtrack’ can be turned down at bedtime. Instead of guests peacocking around the 43m corridor-style freshwater pool, you’ll find a family of actual peacocks who roam the grounds like security guards showing off their brilliant plumage. It’s a hotel where nature is the real VIP.
Here’s why checking in at Atzaró Agroturismo will make you see a whole new side to Ibiza.
THE VIBE
Draped in hot pink bougainvillea, the rustic building where you check in to Atzaró is the original, 300-year-old finca of the Ibizan family who’ve owned the Atzaró estate for eight generations. Before you even meet the receptionist, the friendly resident cats (I defy you not to have a favourite by the end of your stay) greet you at the welcome sign outside.
The Atzaró vibe is laidback luxury, because despite the dreamy draped cabanas and opulent open-air pavilions, nobody bats an eyelid if you pad to the restaurant in your spa robe and slippers for lunch. In peak season, the hotel hosts open-air cinema, live opera nights and pop-up restaurant experiences in the middle of the vast vegetable garden. The real luxury about Atzaró is its abundant space and the connection with Mother Nature at every turn – own-brand orangello included. As the estate is still a working orange farm (the citrusy scent envelops you as you walk around the grounds), Atzaró even produces its own bottles of moreish orangello liqueur – a souvenir to help ease the Ibiza blues when you’re back home.
With nature, not music, playing out the soundtrack around the seven swimming pools dotted around the estate, there’s always a respectful hush around the hotel, even when it’s busy.
THE ROOMS
Atzaró originally opened in 2004 with just 10 bedrooms. Despite the sprawling 13 hectares of land, there’s still only 24 rooms dotted between the farmhouse where you’ll find the original 10 rooms, and a further 14 standalone villas (three with private pools) tucked away amongst the palm trees, so the estate retains its quiet and exclusive feel.
Decor is authentic Ibiza-style, with the aesthetic nodding to the Agroturismo’s long-running roots as a farm. Think original wooden beams, whitewashed walls, four-poster beds and terracotta tiled floors. Every room has its own individual character, thanks to Atzaró’s design team that sources original, locally-crafted handmade furniture and lighting (no shop-bought pieces here). Even the art hanging throughout the hotel by local artists has been commissioned and painted to tell the story of the farm. Bringing the outside in, walk into each hotel room and you’re instantly hit with the distinctive aroma of Atzaró’s ‘essence of the estate’ from a natural oil diffuser – a fusion of homegrown botanicals for a truly holistic touch.
THE FOOD
Three hectares of land have been dedicated to Atzaró’s new vegetable garden, which opened last summer. It means the farm’s abundant supply of organic seasonal vegetables, fruit and herbs are literally plucked daily for the hotel’s farm-to-fork dining concept in its two restaurants, La Veranda finca and The Orange Tree courtyard garden.
In a more intimate space, La Veranda’s al fresco terrace serves up ‘Del Huerto’ on the menu translated as ‘from the vegetable garden’. Expect the freshest selection of Mediterranean-inspired salads (enough for a different salad every day of the week) and a signature gazpacho that looks/tastes like the tomatoes were hand-picked that morning. Meats and fish dishes like the roasted calamari and Iberian pork mains are locally sourced. Even the daily served-to-order breakfasts are a bit of a gastronomical occasion. Choose from freshly-baked seeded, rye or multicereal toasts topped with avocado or Iberian ham, eggs direct from the Atzaró resident chickens, or healthy bowls like chia pudding or red fruits parfait. And don’t miss the freshly-squeezed orange juice – straight from the Agroturismo’s plentiful supply.
THE TO-DO LIST
THE SPA
Set amongst the orange groves and botanical garden, the Atzaró Spa is typically nestled within nature with both indoor and outdoor spaces. As well as a traditional sauna and hammam, you’ll find ‘that’ Instagramable outdoor sauna pod within the spa garden with its own day beds that feels like a secret chill-out oasis amongst the fresh herbs. The spa’s eight beautiful treatment rooms feature high, carved ceilings, Moroccan lamps and windows looking out to the lush green landscape to continue the connection with nature. Treatment beds are even covered in pretty hand-printed batik sheets featuring blossom flowers inspired by the orange groves outside. Post-spa, chill out in the never-ending 43-metre freshwater pool that’s set in the original orange groves and lined with four-poster shaded cabanas and plush daybeds.
THE YOGA
Few hotels have not one, but two yoga pavilions. Hiding away towards the back of the villas, Atzaró’s larger wooden pavilion is used for yoga retreats. The smaller, indoor-outdoor studio that looks out onto glorious green fields makes you feel pretty zen before you’ve even attempted a tree pose. A daily schedule of yoga and Pilates classes (free for hotel guests) are held in the mornings and, with breakfast served until 11.30am, you can even squeeze in a Acai banana health bowl afterwards to kickstart your day.
THE HIKING
Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots as well as your flip-flops. Atzaró don’t actually call it hiking, but ‘nature walking’, where you can amble along and explore the little-known, untouched landscapes of the island with a guide who will show you the best unseen spots. Think woodland pathways, winding cliff trails, pine-clad hills and secret beaches and coves that are best discovered on foot along with a camera to capture the views. Don’t forget to reserve a spa day bed around the freshwater pool for post-walk recovery (and ice-cold orangellos).
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