Can Palmyra Ibiza

ART-CLAD PARTY PAD

Villa Can Palmyra is close to Santa Gertrudis in the centre of Ibiza, one of the island's most covetable spots. If you're looking for utter privacy with a sprawling and intriguing villa, this one has your name all over it. Picture yourself throwing parties by the stylish pool, or burning off lingering alfresco lunches with a game of tennis on your very own courts. There will never be a dull moment at this dreamy retreat. 

Sometimes in life you might happen upon a slice of luxury that surprises even you, the most seasoned bon vivant. Like the moment when your chauffeur pulls up to Villa Can Palmyra and gives you a knowing nod that sings a dozen praises. Although secluded in the heart of 10,000sqm of manicured grounds, you can already tell this isn't the shy and retiring type. From the bold statue that greets you at the entrance surrounded by luscious palm trees, to the villa's angular, whitewashed and exposed brick architecture – Can Palmyra exudes a charmingly ostentatious aura.

You push the wooden door and enter your home for the next week. On first impressions, it's simply wonderful. A light and spacious open-plan living area is accentuated by high ceilings, concrete floors and floor-to-ceiling picture windows which let the glorious outdoors in. You walk the room slowly, really taking everything in as if you're in an art gallery - and you almost could be; huge, colourful prints hang on the walls and zebra-skin rugs add a little quirkiness. The Italian-style kitchen, by contrast, is an elegant amalgamation of natural wood worktops and Gaggenau appliances, fit for cooking up the most spectacular Spanish delicacies.

Once the living area gets a full sweep, it's on to the battle for the bedrooms. Now, usually you're the master bedroom kind of type, but one suite has caught your eye and you're pulling out all the stops to get it. It's the one with the red and pink tones adding buckets of warmth, huge windows gazing out to the countryside and a comfortable king-sized bed. Oh, and it also has an impressive, private heated swimming pool with jacuzzi jets. As it's your husband's 50th birthday at the end of the week, it's actually a lot easier to secure than imagined. Friends and family can politely stake their claims for the other five luxurious bedrooms – one has a Buddha statue towering over the bed and a canoe is regally displayed in another's ensuite - but you're wasting no time in getting acquainted with your own.

Outside is yet to be explored, however, so you only have time to dip your toes into your blissful pool, before heading out to larger, more sociable waters. Some of the group are already beginning their tanning drives, backs to the sun on the cosy day beds. Others are sat around the terrace chill out areas, cocktails flowing. A profusion of olive, orange and pine trees fill the air with aromatic notes which you breathe in as you dangle your legs over the pool's petite dock feeling a wave of relaxation wash over you. Now this is what a holiday should feel like.