Why book?
Under the new ownership of Dubai-based Five Hospitality, the refurbished Destino Five Ibiza blends the best of both worlds: indulgent luxury with the ever-present allure of hedonism.
Set the scene
Nabil Akiki, chief development officer of Five Holdings, brought on interior designer Tristan du Plessis and Natalia Morcos of Gosha to reimagine the Pacha brand experience with a fresh, high-gloss luxury. At reception, grand whitewashed interiors with large, low-lying modernist sofas fill the light, airy, expansive space. Intentional pops of red act as an ode to the infamous cherry logo. A melting disco ball designed by artist Kelly Wearstler hangs off the side of the front desk, and textured gold, inspired by Ibiza sunsets, stretches across the reception area.
Through the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, the eye travels to the blue pool and behind it, the even bluer sea, with super yachts slowly gliding past.
At ‘Playa Pacha,’ the hotel’s pool club, DJs play in the booth set within the pool and blend a tasteful selection of chilled house music through a state-of-the-art sound system. The hotel crowd is exactly what you’d expect to see in a high-end, hip Ibiza hotspot. Beach bags by Chloe, Celine, and Loewe drape toned, tanned shoulders. There’s the standard Instagram shoots taking place under the 85-degree midday sun—but who can blame them in a setting like this?
The backstory
Dubai’s real estate and hospitality conglomerate, Five Holdings, which owns Five Palm Jumeirah, Five Jumeirah Village, and Five Luxe, acquired The Pacha Group in 2023.
With the ‘All-You-Can-Play’ tagline, The Five Group comfortably and confidently operates at the intersection of luxury and entertainment, catering to a sybaritic clientele. So it comes as no surprise that Ibiza was an attractive destination for them.
The acquisition included Destino Pacha Hotel, the Pacha Hotel, and the Pacha Ibiza Nightclub. The former four-star Destino Pacha Hotel was transformed into the five-star Destino Five Ibiza, while the Pacha Hotel was preserved to retain its intimate charm.
The rooms
Bougainvillea climbs up the casitas, each room inside channeling sleek, modern luxury, with a respectful nod to Pacha’s longstanding influence on Ibiza. White marble tables and welcoming pouf seats sit alongside bohemian tie-dye feature cushions, archive Pacha photography, and long boho-style ceramic pendant lights. The design vision is clear—blending the modern with the iconic—and well executed.
I’d be remiss to not give a special mention to the impressive Cherry Suites, of which there are four. Although there’s a slight difference in size between them, each has a private pool overlooking the sea, plentiful day beds, long tables for hosting, with the option of a private chef, making it the ideal space for a big birthday, wedding after-party, or simply an incredibly indulgent night on the island. Prices range from $1,700–$3,500 per night depending on the day and point in the season.
Food and drink
There are two restaurants: Cielo, translating as ‘sky’ in Spanish, which hosts breakfast and lunch, and Elia, where guests enjoy a Greek-inspired dinner menu.
Live acoustic Ibiza classics soundtrack the breakfast buffet, with the usual five-star spread and the less usual chocolate fondue fountain with cherry candy.
Even though lunch is available at the restaurant, arguably your best lunch location is exactly where your sunbathing spot is. Why move? Order fresh tuna sushi and surprisingly moreish corn ribs with lime and Parmesan directly from your poolside waiter.
Dinner at Elia is spectacular. Book a table for 8:45 p.m. to eat fresh octopus carpaccio with fennel citrus dressing and a fantastically fragrant watermelon and mint salad as the sun sets over your meal. If you have any space left for dessert, go for the Galaktoboureko, a vanilla pastry with cinnamon syrup.
The neighborhood/area
Set far enough away from the island’s buzz, the hotel can feel very quiet and peaceful, especially in the morning hours while guests catch up on their beauty sleep. The resort is situated on the cliffs of Cap Martinet with phenomenal panoramic views, taking in Formentera and Dalt Villa.
Naturally, as part of The Pacha Group, the super club is a short 10-minute taxi ride, even in peak season, while Talamanca beach is a 20-minute walk along the coastline, and the charming cobbled streets of Ibiza Old Town are a 15-minute taxi ride.
As a distinct sign of Ibiza’s continued ascent into super-luxury, the Dolce & Gabbana beach club and wellness center, Clap House, neighbors the hotel. But for something with less of the ‘new Ibiza’ sheen, Fish Shack, a 23-year-long island fixture, is a 15-minute walk away. Visit for fresh fish, views of Talamanca Bay, and a post-dinner cliff jump into the inviting Mediterranean Sea.
The service
Understandably, after five decades of hospitality and hosting tourists on their island, Ibiza isn’t known for its unwavering ‘service-with-a-smile’. But Destino Five Ibiza is a pleasing exception to that rule. The staff are always willing to help and answer any need swiftly, and enthusiastic buggy drivers willingly offer on-site transport to weary, danced-out legs.
For families
Before the refurbishment, Destino Five Ibiza was adults-only. Although families are now welcome post-refurb, it isn’t kitted out for kids: think more beach club-to-nightclub than kids club.
Eco effort
All of Five’s hotels operate under a “technology and innovation for guilt-free indulgence” ethos, integrating eco-friendly technologies such as 100% renewable electricity, zero-waste water systems, and solar-powered water heating.
Accessibility
The resort offers six dedicated wheelchair-friendly rooms (500, 501, 503, 506, 508, and 509).
Anything left to mention?
If you want a specific poolside bed, book it in advance. The hotel offers 80 euro day passes that are redeemable on food and beverage (at around $90, a steal, by Ibiza standards) So in peak season it can get busy.
Avenida Cap Martinet, Santa Eulalia del Rio, Balearic Islands 07819
Spain
https://destino.fivehotelsandresorts.com/
+34 971 31 74 11