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An Ibiza institution, Ibiza Rocks house at Pikes beholds over 500 years of the island’s infamous legacy, making it the rock and roll residency of choice for many a famous face over the years. Founded by Tony Pike who still lives at Pikes today, the retreat is now owned by Andy McKay and Dawn Hindle, the brains behind the iconic Ibiza Rocks brand. Encompassing a rustic villa aesthetic, with generous helpings of lavish luxury Pikes is more than just a resort, it’s a flamboyant expression of true Ibiza steeped in history and anecdotes from those who have graced the house with their presence. From Grace Jones to Freddie Mercury, the clientele have left elements of their wisdom and talent making Pikes truly unique. This year for the first time ever, Dawn and Andy have re-created the Pikes magic at Ibiza Rocks House at Pacha, their weekly residency which takes each of the weird and wonderful element of Pikes, making them bigger and better than ever.

THE A TEAM

Take a walk around Pikes and you’re in for a real treat. From photos of Tony with Grace Jones, who he indulged in a relationship with after Grace visited the hotel, to photos of Boy George and Freddie Mercury. There aren’t many places that can boast this sort of clientele. Merging the past and the present, Ibiza Rocks House also showcases images the artists who have played at Ibiza Rocks Hotel, from the Arctic Monkeys to the Ed Sheeran.

ROCK N ROLL RESIDENCY

As expected, the rooms are to die for. Summing up lavish luxury and Ibiza hedonism in equal measure, each room is unique. Featuring plush velvet bed throws printed with Pikes ephemera, dreamy palm tree prints, iconic photographs and the comfiest of beds (perfect for the recovery phase) we couldn’t want for more. And with staff who will bend over backwards to meet your every need, we can see why Pikes is so much more than your average hotel.

SECRET SUN DAYS

Set in the hills behind San Antonio’s vibrant centre, Pikes provides the perfect escape despite being a stones throw away from all the action. With a swimming pool surrounded by plush sun loungers and a view of the sea, it’s the perfect place to replenish your body after a tough night of partying in one of Ibiza’s many super clubs.

 WIERD IS WONDERFUL

When re-creating the epic Ibiza Rocks at Pikes party on a large-scale at super club Pacha, Dawn and Andy took into consideration each and every detail of Pikes and maxed it out to the extreme. It’s not over until the fat lady sings, so the fat lady sings opera at Pacha. The trademark Pikes taxidermy is taken up a notch when life-size pigs hung suspended in the air and Pikes infamous ball pit bathroom karaoke transcended into a whole bathroom dedicated to karaoke at Pacha, equipped with bathtub and shower curtain – it’s not weird, it’s wonderful okay?

 FREDDIE’S BAR

A bar named after Pikes most legendary guest, where the Pikes House Party is host each week.Yes, that’s right, Freddie Mercury. After celebrating his 40th birthday there, it became quintessentially Queen. But the celeb references don’t stop there, the Room 39 restaurant serving up a delectable menu of modern dishes with a Spanish twist celebrates Wham’s Club Tropicana hit ( the 39th biggest seller of 1983).

EAT, SLEEP, RELAX, REPEAT

Whilst Ibiza is renowned for its non-stop twenty-four hour immersive party scene, Pikes also offers you the chance to relax at this serene retreat. Forget the cocktails for a day or two and opt for some fresh fruit smoothies, a sunset yoga session, a game of tennis on the neon courts and some pool side tapas (the prawns are to die for). What’s more, Ibiza Rocks House is now boasting the only Aquavibe therapy suite on the island – combining sight, sound and touch, half an hour on the floatation platform is like getting a whole nights sleep. The perfect end to a week of partying.

For more information head to ibizarocks.com.

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Long before the ecstasy fuelled house heads in cheap bikinis and short shorts claimed Ibiza as theirs it was the stomping ground of beautiful Europeans dancing around in open-air clubs and home to superclub Ku, known as a playground for the rich and famous.
They owe a big thank you the 1980’s, the era molded the Balearic Island in to the ‘pill-popping puke paradise’ it has become today. Where it was previously a laid back hangout for hippies, the 80’s saw it become a renowned dance destination attended by the likes of Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones and Jean Paul Gaultier.
To celebrate this pioneering era for The White Isle, the ICA is hosting Ibiza: Moments in Love, an eye-catching colourful exhibition of posters, books, magazines and club photographs celebrating the era and those who played a big part such as Dj Paul Oakenfold, who was so inspired by the music he heard after visiting Ibiza he brought it over to clubs in the UK.

 
IDEA books curated the exhibit and we caught up with owner David Owen for a quick Q&A.

Whats your favourite book from the exhibition and why?

Ku, Kiss Me Darling is the favourite as it was the first Ibiza book we bought. A customer asked us for ‘Ibiza but… old Ibiza’ and we bought this book blind. When it arrived it was just so exciting – not just for us – but also because we just know that other good customers of ours would equally crazy about it.

Did you visit Ibiza in the 80’s if so what was your fondest memory?

Neither Angela or I have ever been to Ibiza! Not that we take any perverse pride in that – we would love to have gone and would love to go now.

What do you think it was that made Ibiza such a popular destination in the 80s?

The island had a very long history of representing freedom – in a real sense from Franco’s Spain and in a personal sense for people throughout the world. Armin Heinemann of Paula’s Ibiza apparently went there to escape his wife! Most people just threw off their inhibitions. Also Ibiza would have been more popular after the 80s when the dance industry exploded commercially. It was possibly cooler in 80s.

What is your Ibiza soundtrack?

As provided by Test Pressing (testpressing.org). Paul Byrne and Phil Mison created a 5 hour playlist for the exhibition. Almost 5 hours of tracks I had never listened to before and I like them all! It’s worth standing in there for an hour or two in hope of catching the Wham song!

What makes a good book shop?

In my opinion, it would be a shop where you find anything totally unexpected. Hopefully that would include IDEA at Dover Street Market. We have a number of hit books we always try and stock but otherwise all we do is look for the next thing.

What is the best book you have ever bought?

Skinhead Girl by Alan Mead.

Its free entry and closes on the 26^th so make sure you visit ASAP!

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