It’s Monday morning and I’m sipping a flat white outside in my pyjamas as the aroma of freshly baked croissants wafts through the villa. We, a family of four adults and two children, could have chosen to spend a week in an Airbnb in Ibiza Town or a decent hotel in the north of the island.
But as travelers seek authentic experiences, a new kind of vacation rental has emerged that combines a stay in one of the world’s finest, most charming homes with first-class hotel-like service (think private chefs, daily housekeeping, concierge service).
Onefinestay is one of the first companies to respond to this emerging trend. It began renting apartments to stylish people in London in 2010 and now has 4,500 properties in more than 30 destinations.
Onefinestay is adored by numerous celebrities (Gwyneth Paltrow has given it the thumbs up on her website, Goop) and well-known actors who offer their homes to guests while filming abroad.
In the weeks leading up to the trip, a concierge, Ariela, contacts me and emails me several pre-stocking options for food and drinks. We opt for the “extended pantry,” which includes wine, fruit, fresh bread, vegetables, and pasta.
Harriet Sime checks into Anima Chiara (pictured), a rental property in Ibiza that offers top-notch hotel service
Poring Cove, pictured, is “a pebble beach with pine trees clinging to the rocks and charmingly scruffy fishermen’s cottages,” says Harriet.
“You can go from a rocky cove and sparkling sea to a rural farm with goats roaming the olive groves, to an unspoiled Catalan village or to a luxury nightclub,” says Harriet. Above: Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s old town
Top-notch fan: Harriet rents out her villa through Onefinestay, which Gwyneth Paltrow (above) has given the thumbs up to
We arrive at Ibiza airport, where a black Mercedes is waiting to take us along the coast to the resplendent Porroig peninsula.
An electric gate opens into our villa and we are greeted by Melissa, our ‘receptionist’, who shows us to our villa, Anima Chiara, which sleeps 12. ‘Welcome home,’ she beams as she leads us up the stairs to the huge kitchen where chefs Santiago and Alex are preparing lunch. After a brief introduction to the house and the local area, Melissa hands us the keys.
None of this is cheap. A week costs from £6,916, but that’s just £82 per person per night.
“Who lives in a place like this?” my mother asks as she surveys the six bedrooms. All are fitted with cream linens and dark wood, with huge double beds, private bathrooms stocked with Aesop and Rituals toiletries, and terraces. There’s a gym, an infinity pool, and a rooftop bar for cocktails. So far, so luxurious.
That afternoon, we walk five minutes down the road to Cala Poring, a pebble beach with pine trees clinging to the rocks and charmingly scruffy fishermen’s huts. The beach is empty, save for a few locals, a world away from the island stereotype of sunburnt, drunken British teenagers and a coastline scarred by high-rise hotels.
Hattie (right) says: “Staying in a house like this makes you feel more a part of the place than an intruder. And it’s worth paying a little extra for that.”
Harriet’s villa for the week is located near the sparkling Porroig peninsula in Ibiza.
The family takes a six-hour private boat trip to Formentera (above), Ibiza’s little sister.
The next morning we woke up to Santiago and Alex’s eggs Florentine, omelettes and fluffy pancakes, served on the terrace. A cleaning crew arrives each morning and leaves our rooms sparkling clean.
Onefinestay guests are offered excursions. We opted for a six-hour private boat trip that takes us to Formentera, Ibiza’s little sister, and the surrounding islands. Our captain, Marius, drops anchor in different sandy coves and bays with Caribbean-blue waters, each more beautiful than the last.
“In the middle of summer there can be up to 100 boats in this area,” he says as he drops anchor near Espalmador and seagulls circle overhead. We are the only ones here.
Ibiza’s hybrid charms are undeniable from a boat. You can go from a rocky cove and sparkling sea to a rural farm with goats roaming the olive groves, through an untouched Catalan village to a lively nightclub where the world’s best DJs play. And it’s all part of the island’s appeal.
The verdict?
Staying in a house like this makes you feel more a part of the place than an intruder, and it’s worth paying a little extra for it.