chocolate

PARTY animals will quickly tell you there are two fiercely different sides to Ibiza.

Visitors to the holiday hotspot either descend for wild nights of debauchery at the hardcore super­clubs or they are doing sunrise yoga and sipping green juices at high-priced wellness retreats.

Then there are people like me, who fancy the idea of dabbling in a little bit of both — and want to bring the kids along, too.

Luckily, all that is possible thanks to the arrival of the achingly cool hotel, Bless Ibiza The Site, which opened in June.

One of two Bless hotels on the beautiful Balearic island, the sprawling 5* resort is in the action-packed region of Playa D’en Bossa.

Less than a ten-minute hop from the airport, it is within easy reach of the traditional restaurants of the Old Town and some of the island’s famous nightclubs.

The best thing about it, though, is not its location. It’s that, unless you want to dance the night away, you do not need to leave the hotel.

The vibe is pure Ibiza: glamorous without trying too hard, stylish without taking itself too seriously, and well-equipped for sun-soaked days — and, of course, those famous late-night adventures.

And then there’s the delicious food, which is just the cherry on the ultra-decadent cake.

With six excellent restaurants on site, effortlessly chic cocktail bars, and views that made my phone camera work overtime, this resort really had predicted my every whim.

Children are well catered for, too, from the chocolate fountain — which sent them nuts at the breakfast buffet — to a fun-packed kids’ club where the activities extend well beyond the normal sporting fodder to quirky things like pasta making and pottery.

An army of professional nannies are also on hand to offer late-night babysitting in case Mum and Dad want to stay out past bedtime.

And, of course, there’s ample opportunity to do that.

Less than a 20-minute drive away is UNVRS — the largest club in the world, which only opened last year with a big promotion from superstar actor Will Smith.

There’s also the luxurious beach club Playa Soleil less than a ten- minute walk along the shore, which stays open until 3am most days and 4am on Saturdays.

But why splash extra cash when the hotel has its very own buzzing Palm Club?

Plush loungers are surrounded by tropical greenery, free for guests to use, or you can shell out for Balinese day beds or a private cabana, and cool off in the pool, which boasts a swim-up bar.

If you have had one too many margaritas the day before, the antidote is the resort’s spa where the treatments are accompanied by a relaxing water circuit.

While typical partygoers may not prioritise a good night’s kip, I do.

And let me tell you, each of the ultra-comfy 466 rooms will ensure you sleep soundly.

All are spacious and elegantly decorated — and some are even spread over two floors with private plunge pools.

The highlight of this plush resort, however, is undoubtedly the food.

Ibiza is not short of excellent ­dining options. It is home to three restaurants that have one Michelin star, as well as traditional fincas, serving up properly authentic grub in a ­rustic setting.

But you will find some of the best grub on the island right here at Bless Ibiza The Site.

My favourite (although it was a tough call) was Coya — a hip seafront Peruvian restaurant, which is an offshoot of the swanky celeb hangout in London.

Every table has a sea view from its perch on the sand and the mellow beats from the nearby DJ give the place a buzz.

Vibrant and fresh dishes include guacamole (which is whipped up tableside) and delicate seabass ceviche, washed down with a sangria that was dangerously delicious.

Our leisurely lunch here stretched into the early evening, and even though Bless is slap-bang between two of the island’s most iconic nightclubs, Ushuaia and Hi, I was far more tempted to stay put and watch the sun set from the hotel’s chic rooftop bar.

Cloud 9 has a collaboration with one of the world’s 50 best bars, Handshake Speakeasy, and it doesn’t do things by halves.

Despite mean competition, this spot has clawed its way right to the top of visitors’ wish lists thanks to an enviable drinks menu featuring classics with a twist.

Try the clarified piña colada, made with aged brandy, pineapple, coconut and micro-coriander, which has a clear and thin consistency — nothing like the thick and heavy traditional version you might expect.

If you are more of a daytime drinker, there’s also the gorgeous Lobito de Mar, where pitchers of champagne sangria are paired with traditional Spanish seafood dishes and delivered straight to your sun-lounger.

Or dine at Tatel, a more formal spot, or Leña — an elegant steakhouse that will draw you in with rich, buttery smells wafting from the wood-fired oven.

If money really is no object, head for Sublimotion by Paco Roncero.

This place is more of a performance than a meal, with room for just one table seating up to 12 guests — it definitely is one of the hottest tickets in town.

After visiting, I was so fit to burst that even the booms from the notorious nightclubs couldn’t drag me out of my food coma.

Perhaps a sunrise yoga session instead?

This really is the best of both worlds.

A haven for the rich and famous, the Cotswolds reportedly welcomes more than 35 million visitors each year, but one writer suggests it’s on something of a “downturn”

A plush hotel group has passed over the picturesque Cotswolds for its newest venture, instead setting its sights on a county renowned for its “chocolate box” villages. Nobu Hotels, co-founded by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro, boasts properties in some of the world’s most chic destinations, including Malibu, Ibiza, Las Vegas and Dubai.

Casting its eye across the UK for a potential location, there is no shortage of contenders — perhaps the Lake District or the Scottish Highlands — though many would argue the Cotswolds would be the most obvious fit.

A haven for the rich and famous, including Simon Cowell, Michael McIntyre and Jeremy Clarkson (whose Diddly Squat Farm sits near Chipping Norton), the Cotswolds reportedly attracts more than 35 million visitors each year.

Yet it appears Nobu has opted for somewhere even more exclusive: Britain’s smallest county, Rutland in the East Midlands. Indeed, one writer suggests the Cotswolds are experiencing something of a “downturn”.

The Mail’s Claudia Connell writes: “The East Midlands may seem an unlikely venue for such a venture, but for those watching the quiet rise of Rutland it makes perfect sense.”

“While other places — most notably the Cotswolds — are experiencing a downturn, Rutland and surrounding areas are riding high thanks to a combination of beautiful countryside, historic towns, chocolate box villages and excellent schools.”

Nobu Woolfox will be situated near the town of Stamford on 185 acres and will include a hotel, restaurants, gym, spa and private residences, combining what its website describes as luxury hospitality, dining and “refined living with a slower, more restorative pace”.

Nobu Hospitality CEO Trevor Horwell said: “This is a truly special location in the heart of England. For the first time within our portfolio, we have the opportunity to create a countryside retreat experience in a setting defined by nature, tranquillity and a sense of escape.”

To understand why the Cotswolds was off the menu for the plush hotel group, Claudia pointed to Rutland’s comparative lack of celebrities.

It was also noted that the county offers all the joys of the English countryside while remaining within reach of the capital (around 2 hours and 32 minutes by car).

House prices in the Cotswolds are said to have fallen by 12 per cent, with reported complaints of overcrowding, escalating prices and claims of being “Disney-fied”. Locals have also reportedly pointed to an influx of “trendy” coffee shops.

Adding to the apparent dissatisfaction is the rise of so-called “TikTok tourists” — influencers who visit the area largely to film content and take selfies for social media.

Meanwhile, Rutland is viewed as a quieter alternative, with the county’s schools proving to be a key pull factor.

Here in L.A., you can find plenty of yoga studios that are only a short walk from the beach. But Sol Seek Yoga — The Loft is the only one where, when your instructor tells you to “extend your feet towards the ocean,” you might actually wonder if you’ll get your toes wet.

Perched just above the Strand in downtown Manhattan Beach, this cozy studio has sliding doors that open up to a full, unobstructed view of the pier, beach and ocean only a few hundred yards away. The sound of sea waves infuses the room with nature’s original white noise, adding a sense of marine tranquility to every class.

“Because of our proximity to the ocean, we’re very connected to nature,” says owner Justin Randolph. “To be able to hear the waves and connect to that rhythm, especially during corpse pose — it’s a little slice of calm.”

In fact, calm is something of a specialty at this studio, which focuses less on high-intensity aerobic classes than on restorative, therapeutic methods. Soothing Yin classes are offered nearly every day, and Chair Yoga sessions are tailored for students who are nursing injuries — or just prefer a slower, deeper practice.

To keep your visit stress-free, it’s best to plan in advance for the challenges of beachfront parking. If you’re lucky, you might be able to snag a nearby metered space or a spot in one of the lower pier lots. Otherwise, your safest bet is the large parking structure at Metlox Plaza, about five minutes away by foot.

Single class: $30
New student offer: $59 for 21 days of unlimited in-studio, outdoor and livestream classes
Unlimited monthly membership: $149

From: The 27 best yoga studios in L.A. for stretching, sweating and spiritual awakenings