Magic and holidays go hand in hand, especially at Pikes Hotel, a boutique hotel nestled in the San Antonio hills of Ibiza. For current owner Andy McKay, this magical atmosphere is more important than any bottom line, and it’s what has cemented Pikes’ legendary status as the ultimate destination for dancing, drinking, dining, and staying on the White Isle.
For decades, Pikes has attracted a heady mix of A-list guests, including Grace Jones, Kylie, Liam Gallagher, and Freddie Mercury. The 26-room villa-esque hotel has become as renowned for its Sunday roast and A-list DJ sets as its captivating history. Even if you’ve never heard of Pikes by name, you’ve likely seen it on screen. The hotel first appeared in the iconic 1983 Wham! ‘Club Tropicana’ music video, and again in 2022 for Lewis Capaldi’s nearly identical ‘Forget Me’ video. Freddie Mercury, a Pikes regular, hosted his infamous 41st birthday party there, a night remembered for its extravagant debauchery, including little people serving trays of cocaine and guests consuming 350 bottles of champagne. While such levels of excess have toned down, Pikes retains its hedonistic reputation.
Before Andy took over the 15th-century finca in 2011, it belonged to Hertfordshire-born yachtsman Tony Pike, who arrived on the Balearic shores in 1978. He and his partner Lyn transformed the rundown mansion into a small country hotel, a place to entertain friends and guests. Andy, who ran Ibiza’s infamous Manumission club nights in the 90s and 00s, describes Tony as a genius, calling Pikes ‘the first ever boutique hotel, before it was even a thing.’ As word spread and the ‘Club Tropicana’ video gained popularity, rock royalty began to frequent the hotel, making Pikes the place to party for nearly two decades. However, financial struggles forced Tony to sell the hotel in 1998. It took 13 years before Andy entered the picture.
Already a mainstay on Ibiza’s club scene with his successful Ibiza Rocks Group, Andy owned the infamous Ibiza Rocks hotel, designed to be ‘the best accommodation a 21-year-old coming to the island for the first time would want to stay in.’ Part of the hotel’s allure was its live events featuring hot bands like Arctic Monkeys, The Kaiser Chiefs, and Kasabian, but Andy needed a place to put them up. ‘I was always looking for the right hotel for the acts – somewhere rock n roll stars would want to stay,’ he explains. ‘At the time, a Dutch company was looking to turn Pikes into a brothel. I’d stayed there and realised it could be the perfect place.’
Andy reached an agreement to rent Pikes from Tony for five years, with the option to eventually buy. ‘It seemed like silly money at the time for what we were getting,’ he remembers. ‘When we took it over the place was serving frozen pizzas and burgers, so we brought in our own chef, got new beds and upped the staff numbers.’ Andy adds, ‘Tony loved that we were bringing Pikes back to life. Part of the agreement was that he could stay there rent free forever.’
The legendary club nights at Pikes, whether you’re staying as a guest or just visiting, initially started as after parties. Andy transformed Freddie Mercury’s Marrakech Suite, with its white stone walls and Moroccan vibe, into a space for people to hang out and dance. ‘We’d turn a chest of drawers on its side for the decks, create a makeshift bar and invited the acts and about 100 people. It just went from there,’ he recalls. When the rental agreement expired in 2016, Andy purchased Pikes, now a successful hotel not just for rock stars, and Tony continued to mingle with guests until his death in 2019.
Today, the Marrakech Suite, affectionately known as Freddies (still featuring Freddie’s bed at the back), has become a hub for the hottest DJs. This year alone, Goldie, Paul Oakenfold, and Gok Wan have graced the tiny booth. And while Freddies is undeniably intimate, there’s plenty of space for revellers to spread out, from the Sunset Terrace and Bar 39 to the Plaza Mayor, considered the heart of the hotel, leading to the azure blue pool area.
After dark, Pikes buzzes with energy, but by day, it takes on a completely different character. Walking through the hotel’s beautifully maintained gardens under the hot Ibiza sun, a cluster of well-cared-for cats slink around. Romana, the Queen of Pikes, sits regally in reception. At check-in, our hostess Audrey welcomes us, shows us our room, and leads us to the iconic poolside area. New arrivals receive a complimentary welcome cocktail, appropriately named Club Tropicana, a refreshing ice-cold paloma. As birds chirp in the trees and the poolside DJ sets the mood, it’s impossible to escape the feeling that Pikes is a world away from the massive hotels and sunbed hoarders that have infiltrated the island. Here, huge day beds are scattered across the multi-level terraces surrounding the pool, with plenty for everyone. Once settled in, it’s hard to move again. While the pool is just steps away for a refreshing dip, friendly staff are on hand to take drink orders, find shade, or simply chat, making it unnecessary to do anything else. This friendliness extends to the guests, with conversations flowing about the previous night’s DJ or plans for the day, warmly filling the air.
Given the hotel’s A-list guest book, it’s easy to assume everyone looks like a superstar, but the reality is – and maybe due to Pikes’ over-27 ‘rule’ – guests come in all shapes and sizes. Everyone is welcome, with only one exception, as Audrey confides: ‘If they’re a c***.’
Being a guest also means experiencing Pikes’ daytime glory in all its technicolour. In the Plaza Mayor, disco balls hang, casting shimmering light onto garishly pink walls and picture-perfect fuchsia, violet, and magenta flowers. Despite the vibrant, eye-popping colours, the atmosphere is decidedly relaxed. At breakfast, coffee is poured into Pikes mugs, and as the aroma fills the air, the server simply smiles and says ‘life is good, eh.’ She’s not wrong.
While decades ago the food might have been hit or miss, Pikes is now known as a place to eat as well as party. Portion sizes are generous, ensuring no one goes hungry. As you explore, every corner reflects Pikes’ legacy. There’s the super-Instagrammable pink tennis court from the 80s, complete with a giant rollerboot, and the tiny bathroom just off Freddie’s, with a tub filled with balls ready for a karaoke night. In our Garden Junior Suite, a black and white picture of Debbie Harry hangs on the wall, and bottles of expensive tequila sit next to the mini-bar. Everything is sleek, comfortable, and cool. Outside sits a fully modern bathroom, perfect for a soak in the sunshine. The doors are soundproof, ensuring you can easily switch off for the night when you’ve had enough – if that ever happens.
Staying at Pikes grants automatic access to events, and once night falls, there’s rarely a dull moment. Big-name DJs take over Freddies throughout the summer, along with a revival of Andy’s beloved Manumission event. Held every Monday, phone cameras are banned, a nod to the ‘old days’ when people simply enjoyed the moment. It’s a stark contrast to the packed super-clubs scattered across the island, where partygoers stand zombie-like, filming everything. During my stay, Roger Sanchez was the secret DJ for Andy Manumission. Next door, a pianist played singalong anthems like Wonder Wall and Let It Be on Freddie’s old piano. In another area, a local DJ filled the dance floor, while on the Sunset Terrace, guests enjoyed cocktails and the services of a clairvoyant. It was a night so much fun, you really had to be there. And the best part? No taxi dramas or fear of missing out (FOMO), as we could simply head back to our rooms (and then go back out again if the desire took us).
Of course, staying at a place like this isn’t cheap. [PRICES]. But it’s worth it. Many people we met were repeat Pikes guests, booking well in advance. As an Ibiza regular but a Pikes virgin, I can honestly say I’ve never felt more chilled or blissed out after a day there, even after a big night. And, I learned that if you happen to order a drink while the poolside DJ plays Club Tropicana, you’ll get it for free. (Think about it.)
The beauty of Pikes is that it’s ever-evolving. While we were there, tables were being moved from the restaurant area to the Sunset Terrace. Andy explains that since taking over Pikes, he has ‘slowly been turning the hotel into its original form.’ And this is where his ‘does it feel magical?’ ethos truly shines through. Some of his latest purchases for the hotel follow the Sotheby’s auction of many of Freddie’s belongings last year. Besides one of his suitcases, still bearing the Pikes luggage tag, Andy also snapped up the shirt Freddie wore for his 41st birthday at the hotel. Then there was another splurge that’s set to become a part of the decor. ‘I bought some of Freddie’s wicker furniture,’ Andy explains. ‘It originally belonged to Pikes but he loved it so much he bought it off Tony 40 years ago and kept it in his conservatory. ‘Now it’s going back into its original home, the Sunset Terrace. Guests will be able to use it, as that’s what it’s there for. We want it to live and breathe in Pikes – as that’s the magic of this place.’
Other Ibiza Highlights
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Cafe Mambo:
Another former rundown finca, Cafe Mambo has become synonymous with Ibiza’s legendary sunsets. The perfect spot to watch the sun go down while sipping cocktails and enjoying the DJ set.*
Time and Space:
Known as the Ibizan Stonehenge, this 2014 art installation, composed of 13 solid stone columns, is believed to possess a special energy and is located on the cliff edge in the secluded bay of Calla Llentia.*
Pacha:
One of the island’s original superclubs, Pacha, with its famous cherry logo, celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. While the dance floor can get packed, you can also head upstairs to the outdoor terrace for a fresher, more relaxed vibe.*
Ibiza Old Town:
Overlooking the Mediterranean, the Old Town – aka Dalt Vila – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site steeped in history. With its winding alleys, cobbled streets, and beautiful buildings, it feels a world away from the frenetic pace of party hotspots like San Antonio.*
