by Patrick Loqueneux

Aguamadera Ibiza was undoubtedly and unwillingly one of the sensations of last summer. Although very confidential and almost impossible to find in the hills of Ibiza, this new address is no less salutary in both substance and form. Brought to the baptismal font by Pablo Fernandez Valdes, former manager of the much-missed La Granja, and Carlota Sardà Caralps as artistic director, Aguamedera, whose sole owner is now Iria Urgell, daughter of the essential founder of Pacha, Aguamadera has nothing to do with the frenetic Ibiza, the one of hastily pasted clichés, the one that is decried rightly or wrongly.

Aguamadera is Ibiza in what the island still has of true and authentic, a return to the sources for the one that we think we have been around a hundred times but which has not yet revealed all its secrets. Like all fashionable destinations, the white island suffers from its seasonal excesses and like all these, it offers two facets or more exactly two sides. To borrow from the music that makes it famous, an A side and a B side, the first obvious and more flashy, the second more confidential and no less deserving. Here again, as for its sisters, this dichotomy goes hand in hand with a geographical schism that wants the south as the seat of artifice and all the excesses leaving the north the monopoly of authenticity and calm. Aguamadera obviously belongs to this second category and to this refuge of free and creative spirits of all kinds eager for sun and simple joys.

A tribute to the Ibiza of yesteryear, Aguamadera could not choose to live anywhere other than in the heart of a traditional finca. Dating from the end of the 19th century, it has kept its open fireplaces, its whitewashed walls, its pine and olive wood beams. While you will find all the latest trends picked up in large numbers from Zara Home, the rattan furniture, the second-hand objects, the pottery or the tableware by Sarah Jerath, the linen bedspreads in the colors of the landscape, the broken granite bedside tables pay homage to this Ibiza steeped in traditions and proud of its vernacular heritage. Under this austerity of good quality, luxury is not lacking in the 12 rooms and suites of this Agroturismo with rain showers, heated floors and perfectly stocked mini bars. With six of them spread over the two levels of the main house – not always very well soundproofed – and the others in the old stables, Aguamadera plays the privacy card to the end. All with balconies overlooking the plain or pretty terraces more or less sheltered from view, these havens of peace and gentleness really have something to delight even if some of them sometimes lack light. No matter, because here nothing has been forced. We have simply revived the existing in the most beautiful and respectful manner. We are talking here about this hotel industry that we would like to see as the norm tomorrow, the one that we ardently desire that has to do with the virtuous concepts of the vernacular, hospitality and eco-consciousness.

With its 11 hectares of vines, olive trees, flowers, fruits and vegetables grown in permaculture, its absence of hierarchy, reception, concierge or uniform, Aguamadera frees itself from anything that clutters or embarrasses, leaving room for the essential. Things and people circulate freely, relaxed and friendly, in perfect symbiosis with the spirit of Ibiza. For nature lovers, Aguamadera is as much a place of rejuvenation as of conversation, the idea being to also generate a community around the hotel like what was done for Six Senses Ibiza, also intended to be open all year round. While during the day, only the cicadas and the crackle of wood-burning kitchens can break the silence, when the sun goes down, live music and chatter on the terraces take over, with the hotel opening its doors to non-guests by reservation. Sunset is here, as everywhere else on the island, a special moment of celebration, and a plethora of cushions and seats have been assembled for this purpose in the shade of a sprawling willow.

Participating in this same idea, yoga classes are given three times a week, visits from therapists practicing mobility exercises, sound therapies, meditations, mindfulness rituals and other ceremonies are organized as all kinds of events centered on well-being or the arts for customers as well as the local community with the hope of making them discover the magic of Ibiza out of season. Thus the exhibitions follow one another and punctuate on tiptoe the extreme restraint of the places where dried bouquets and ceramics play with the light filtering from all sides, in a happy and peaceful atmosphere.
But the real plus, the unique identity of Aguamadera lies perhaps more than anything in its unique culinary approach. Provided with exclusively local and seasonal products including flowers mainly picked in the vegetable garden, the cuisine is uncompromising. Each cooking is done only with charcoal. From breakfast to dinner, the dishes compete in simplicity and flavor. Gonzalo Cerrato Laguna makes sparks fly there. Aguamadera delights all the senses with modesty, spontaneity and generosity far from the excesses raging elsewhere, favoring this idea of ​​”Less is More”, a movement that finds a very beautiful expression with it.