The chic sleep: Gecko Hotel & Beach Club, Formentera
Azure skies, warm turquoise waters and beaches of powdery white sand – all these are a given at Formentera, and this hotel is perfectly placed to take advantage of them all. By DANIELLE FOX
Separated from Ibiza by only a few miles of open water, Formentera, with its sapphire blue waters and endless sands, is the perfect place to recalibrate away from its more hedonistic sister. As one of only a few places to stay on the small island, this charming hotel and beach club makes the most of its prime location on Playa Migjorn, an idyllic 10km stretch of sand and sea. You’ll start to decompress as soon as you get off the boat at La Savina harbor, where you’ll be met with one of Gecko’s Range Rovers that will deliver you straight to the clubhouse pool in a mere 15 minutes. The Gecko’s low-slung clubhouse, various chill-out areas and restaurant make it the epitome of laid-back Balearic chic; a blend of ’50s Riviera style and modern minimalism runs throughout the hotel and its 30 rooms. The star turn is the Gecko Loft: a penthouse suite that comes complete with views of the Mediterranean from its private terrace, ideal for sunset drinks and stargazing.
THE DETAILS
Relax
The Gecko is fast becoming a Yogi favorite, with retreats running from April to June. For guests who just want to add a few sun salutations to their stay, the 90-minute morning beachfront yoga with Yiannis, which any guest can attend, is a wonderful, gentle way to wake up the body before breakfast.
Must-do
Formentera has UNESCO heritage status and a beachside building ban means there are no unsightly high-rise hotels or mass resorts on its beautiful coastline. While you can stroll to beach bars and restaurants along the boardwalk path, hiring an electric scooter to explore the rest of the island is essential, particularly to see the otherworldly sunsets at Es Cap de Barbaria Lighthouse at the southernmost tip of the island.
Dine
Gecko’s eponymous restaurant encourages lazy beachside lunches and languid candlelit suppers all while looking out to sea. Food is locally sourced, so expect freshly caught seafood and seasonal Mediterranean dishes, all washed down with an infamous signature Gecko Beach cocktail – a refreshing mix of gin, grapefruit juice, rose and soda, with a hint of lavender.
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