Top Destination Resort – Ibiza Gan Hotel and Casino

Ibiza, Spain, is famous for its nightlife and party scene in the summer months.

But many people don’t know that it has one of the most opulent and posh casino resorts in the world. The Ibiza Gran Hotel and Casino Ibiza is an experience that not many people can afford. Many don’t even know the destination resort and casino exists.

Guess what?

This real money gambling fiend got a chance to stay at the Ibiza Gran Hotel and play at the Casino de Ibiza.

How did this happen?

Well, a good gambler never gives away all their secrets.

But here’s what I can tell you about the Ibiza Can Hotel and Casino.

Ibiza? Tell Me More

Ibiza is an island off the coast of Spain, about 90 miles from Valencia. It is nestled in the clear pristine Mediterranean waters.

Ibiza’s climate is mild and arid. Its climate is reminiscent of Palm Springs but a hint cooler. It has more days of sunshine than not. It’s a dream climate for any sun-worshipper, but don’t forget to bring your sunscreen!

The island is part of a sovereign nation under Spain. Catalan is the primary language spoken in the area, but international English is easy enough to get by on.

Ibiza has its own airport, making travel to and from the destination easy for most travelers. I looked up flights before I left, and it’s got a high price tag (around $1,350.00) for a 14-hour flight.

That’s almost a $100 an hour. This island is definitely not for the thrifty or the financially faint of heart.

Average room prices range from $200 to $500 a night. That doesn’t seem too bad until you start reading the menu prices at local restaurants. As I said, this is an exclusive, nightlife-driven island.

If the whole nightlife thing turns you off, don’t worry! Where we are going in this post is far more secluded. It’s more refined and mature.

Ibiza Gran Hotel

The hotel and casino complex is located in one of the island’s smaller towns—Talamanca, Ibiza. Talamanca is in the Ibiza Town district, but it’s secluded and shyer than its partying sister, Ibiza Town.

When you walk into the Ibiza Gran Hotel’s lobby, you are stunned by the refined architecture and the sleekness of the ambiance. I felt like I had stumbled into a private (and massive) modern art collection.

The hotel’s lobby beautifully blends neutral tones with stark black and white. The five towering floors represent each of the five elements—fire, air, water, earth, and aether (extraterrestrial space or the space above the earth).

This impressive motif is a taste of the elegance meets nature vibe that the hotel has to offer. You can visit the ArtHotel and view the best of modern art and take a meditation class on the same day. I was blown away.

The hotel is located on its own cove overlooking impressive vistas of sun-bleached rock and the stunning ocean. I would’ve never guessed that there was a cooler-than-cool vibe on the inside judging just from the outside.

The Ibiza Gran Hotel premium rooms are almost 400 square feet with luxury linens and amenities. The premium rooms (that’s their base hotel room) offer king-sized beds. The rooms continue the modern, clean vibe of the lobby but in much warmer neutrals.

There are 35 suites at the Ibiza Gran Hotel. They range from almost 500 square feet up to just over 3,750 square feet. As you can guess, the bigger the suite, the sweeter the offerings.

The views are stunning. There are private pools with solariums (because of course there are), and the décor makes Apartment Therapy jealous.

The Ibiza Gran Hotel pool is just what you’re imagining in your head right now. Its crystal-clear with cabanas, posh lounge chairs, tanned service staff to wait on you, and private.

This is something unique to this property. Many of the surrounding resorts allow day passes to their pools, but not Ibiza Gran Hotel.

Open Spa at Ibiza Gran Hotel

I’ve had my fair share of spa days, pedicures, mud baths, and pampering. The Open Spa is the gold standard for a hotel spa experience.

Open Spa offers hydrotherapy, underwater massage, traditional massage therapy modalities, full spa services, and a full salon and nail studio.

Guests can buy services a la carte or opt for a full package, indulging in various experiences. The spa is a great way to take a break from your time gambling in the casino, and gift vouchers are available as well.

Is a spa day in the spa too public for you?

Maybe you’d rather have the Open Spa experience in your almost 4,000 square foot, five-bedroom suite. They will do their best to accommodate anything they offer in the Open Spa downstairs in your private space.

They will bring the entire spa experience to your suite if your accommodations leave room for the spa treatment. For example, if you’re slumming it up in a suite without a private pool, you can’t indulge in a private hydrotherapy session.

Dining at Ibiza Gran Hotel

Ibiza Gran Hotel has six different dining options, depending on the time of day. You will not find a room-temperature buffet offering here. And if hot wings and Bud Light are your fares, I am sure they can whip it up on special request.

The hotel and casino offer its guests a free breakfast buffet every morning.

I know what you’re thinking. I said no buffets, right?

This is not the buffet we think of in America. There’s organic cold-pressed juices, a raw bar, and salmon and poached eggs to order.

This is an opulent breakfast feast. That’s the only way to describe it. Did you expect something different from an five-star luxury hotel and casino?

The pool restaurant offers lighter fare for lunch and snacks during the day while you’re working on your tan.

I had the opportunity to eat at all three of their sit-down restaurants, but I want to talk about LA GAIA.

LA GAIA’s concept is a further play on the art that meets life theory found throughout the hotel. I was more than excited because I had done my pre-trip research.

LA GAIA touts itself as an establishment, “in which art and design are the protagonists and will create the framework for your dinner and cocktail.” It’s also a dining concept built on the Japanese style of Kaiseki tradition, “which serve dinner in an authentic wraparound ceremony for the five senses.”

The menu changes with the seasons. The melodic blend of art, Japanese tradition, and the beautiful local seafood offerings will not disappoint. You will be whisked away to a dreamland of the best gastronomic fantasies.

My favorite thing I had in our five-course meal was the smooth Venus clams with dashi stock, ginger scent, and orange and soy vinaigrette.

The plating is precise, detailed, and impeccable. I imagine that the chef’s fine motor skills are so attuned because placing the individual leaves of microgreens was a masterpiece.

I literally was almost in tears toward the end of the meal. When I say this was an experience, much like the Ibiza Gran Hotel itself, I am not exaggerating.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime meal, and one that I can only hope that I get to repeat someday.

Casino de Ibiza

The Casino de Ibiza is attached to the Ibiza Gran Hotel. It is the only one on the island. The décor is less “modern-art” forward and more “European-class” than you’d expect.

The casino is not the star attraction at this destination, but it still offers everything you could want in a casino. Bigger is not always better.

The carpets are not the dizzying psychedelic colors and patterns seen in Vegas. They are a calming play on a muted but colorful parquet floor.

There is a more formal dress code required on the casino floor. You’ll not be permitted on the floor in your beach attire. Shorts are acceptable, but they must be Bermuda shorts. This is exclusive, not inclusive.

The casino floor is small, clocking in at 14,000 square feet. There is a dark bar to order their famous wasabi martini and go for a spin or two at the American Roulette table.

The table gaming areas are referred to as “gambling halls.” They offer poker, roulette, and Texas Hold’em. The gambling hall is open daily from 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

Of course, the slots are located in the designated slot machine room. There are over 40 slot machines and a VIP area for higher bets. The slot machine room is open from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM.

I enjoyed the private higher class feel of the Casino de Ibiza. The intimate setting was a nice change from the loud and crowded chaos of Vegas casinos.

Conclusion

I found all of my luxurious dreams in real life at the Ibiza Gran Hotel and Casino de Ibiza. I like the attention to posh without it being overdone and trying too hard. I loved the smaller casino setting, too. That’s just something you don’t get in the US.

This was an outstanding, mind-blowing, gambling destination vacation for me. I hope to find myself back in its natural beauty, class, and over the top without being garish. I’m sure you would enjoy it and consider it one of the best casino resort destinations, too.