Experimental Group has announced the reopening of Montesol Experimental, Ibiza in April 2023. Following the renovation of the hotel’s Sabbaba restaurant and rooftop in 2021, Montesol Experimental has undergone a full renovation of the 30 bedrooms and three suites, overseen by group collaborator and designer Dorothee Meilichzon. The property is also home to a restaurant, rooftop bar and boutique shop.
At Cafe Montesol Chef Alex Larrea infuses local delicacies with a touch of whimsy, concocted with produce from the area. Tapas style dishes for sharing, washed down with a cold beer or some of Spain’s best locally produced wines. Co-Founder and Partner at Experimental Group Olivier Bon comments, “After the Levantine influences of the Sabbaba pop-up at Montesol Experimental last summer, we wanted to return the roots of Spanish cuisine and hospitality: a large cafe offering a tapas menu at all hours, dished out from the counter on the terrace.”
Upstairs resides the rooftop cocktail bar with views of Dalt Villa, serving as a place to escape the crowd;, a haven from the heady Ibiza nightlife. The drinks menu is filled with delights from cold glasses of rose, beer and Experimental Group’s signature cocktails.
The hotel is home to a small boutique which features a curated selection of accessories and clothes from local Spanish artisans to international designers. Items include timeless jewellery from Gas Bijoux, supple leather bags from Malababa, sunglasses to hide tired eyes from Pared Eyewear and incredible handmade scarves and ponchos from Aurea Fibra Nativa.
The neocolonial building was originally built in 1933. Cool, calming colours counterbalance the fabrics, bursting with patterns, fringes and statement pompoms. Cosmic elements are scattered throughout the property, from moon carvings and brass suns, celestial greys, light greens and pastel hues. Masks have been made by the hands of Anna Alexandra in Mallorca and Playdough Stools carefully crafted by Diego Faibre. Tiles are a feature, covering spaces like minibars, and glossy lacquer wardrobes hide away a night’s outfit behind puzzle piece doors for a touch of Ibiza sparkle.
The design draws inspiration from the bohemian side of Ibiza, using an array of fabrics, patterns, fringes, and pompoms, mixed with light wood, colourful rugs and textured walls. Unique elements such as shell textures within the walls have been carefully crafted by hand-pressing shells into the lime to shape, one by one to to reflect the hotel’s proximity to the ocean.
Celestial embellishments including brass suns, over-sized moons and stars make a mark in almost all corners of the hotel. Playful elements continue in the wardrobe, where doors close thanks to a jigsaw puzzle piece, finished with a glossy lacquer. The Bathroom vanities are made from Lava in France, with large shaped mirrors in walnut and lacquer. Another key element are the tiles, using traditional Zelliges to cover the niches of the mini bar in hues of orange, brown and off white.
Throughout the 1950s-1980s, Montesol was at the height of its existence with celebrities, royals and hippies gathered under the hotel’s roof, with the likes of Pink Floyd, Orson Welles and Carolina de Monaco present. Meilichzon’s designs infuse a bohemian overtune throughout the interior whilst paying homage to the building’s storied past.
Located on the main square of the island’s old town “Eivissa”, the refurbished hotel is due to re-open in April 2023.
