Inside the posh version of Airbnb: Chauffeur? Of course. Private chef? Self-explanatory. HARRIET SIME jets off to Ibiza to stay in a super-luxury villa
It’s Monday morning and I’m drinking a flat white alfresco in my pyjamas as the smell 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 type of vacation rental has emerged that combines staying in some of the world’s finest and most charming homes with top-notch hotel services (think private chefs, daily housekeeping, concierge services).
Onefinestay is one of the first companies to capitalise on this emerging trend. It started renting luxury apartments in London in 2010 and now has 4,500 properties in over 30 destinations.
Onefinestay is loved by countless celebrities (Gwyneth Paltrow recommended it on her website, Goop) and famous actors who make their homes available to guests while filming abroad.
In the weeks leading up to the trip, I am contacted by a concierge, Ariela. She emails me several options for pre-stocking groceries and drinks. We opt for the “extensive pantry” with wine, fruit, fresh bread, vegetables and pasta.
Harriet Sime checks into Anima Chiara (pictured), a rental property in Ibiza with a ‘top-notch’ hotel service
Cala Poring, pictured here, is ‘a pebble beach with pine trees clinging to the rocks and charmingly unkempt fishing huts,’ says Harriet
‘You can go from a rocky cove and sparkling sea to a rural farm with goats roaming the olive groves, to an unspoilt Catalan village or a buzzing superclub,’ says Harriet. Above – Dalt Vila, Ibiza’s old town
A-list fan: Harriet rents out her villa through Onefinestay, which Gwyneth Paltrow (above) has given the thumbs up
We arrive at Ibiza airport, where a black Mercedes is waiting to take us along the coastline to the beautiful Porroig peninsula.
An electric gate to our villa opens and we are greeted by our greeter Melissa who shows us around our villa, Anima Chiara, which sleeps 12. “Welcome home,” she beams as she leads us up the stairs to the enormous kitchen where chefs Santiago and Alex are preparing lunch. After a brief introduction to the house and the area, Melissa hands over 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 says, surveying the six bedrooms. They’re all decorated in cream linen and dark wood, with huge double beds, ensuites with Aesop and Rituals toiletries, and terraces. There’s a gym, an infinity pool, and a rooftop bar for cocktails. So far, it’s very luxurious.
That afternoon we stroll five minutes further to Cala Poring, a pebble beach with pine trees clinging to the rocks and charmingly unkempt fishermen’s huts. The beach is empty, apart from a few locals – a world away from the island’s stereotype of sunburnt, drunken British teenagers and a coastline dotted with high-rise package hotels.
Hattie (right) says: ‘When you stay in a house like this you feel more like a part of the fabric of a place than an intruder. And that’s worth paying a little extra for’
Harriet’s villa for the week is located near the beautiful Porroig peninsula in Ibiza
The family takes a six-hour private boat trip to Formentera (above), Ibiza’s little sister
The next morning we wake up to Santiago and Alex’s eggs Florentine, fluffy omelettes and pancakes, served on the terrace. A team of cleaners comes every morning and leaves our rooms sparkling.
Onefinestay guests are offered excursions. We opt for the six-hour private boat trip that takes us to Formentera, Ibiza’s little sister, and the surrounding islands. Our captain, Marius, drops anchor at various bays and sandy coves with Caribbean blue water, each one somehow more beautiful than the last.
“In the summer there can be 100 boats in this area,” he says as he drops anchor at Espalmador, seagulls circling above him. We are the only ones here.
Ibiza’s hybrid charms are unmistakable from a boat. You can go from a rocky cove and sparkling sea to a rural farm with goats wandering through olive groves, an unspoilt Catalan village or a bustling superclub hosting the world’s best DJs. And it’s all part of the island’s appeal.
The verdict?
When you stay in a house like this, you feel more like part of the makeup of a place than an intruder, and that’s worth paying a little extra for.
