There might be no better place on Earth to watch the Full Moon rise than from the beach at Hotel Riomar in Santa Eulària des Riu, Ibiza, Spain. I would know. This summer, the hotel leaned into the ~lunar vibes~ by hosting Full Moon Happenings (aka super-fun events) once a month, and as Cosmo’s senior astrology editor, I was all too happy to say yes to an invitation to check it out. Sunbathing by day and moongazing by night? Kinda my perfect vacation.
Now, I know what you may think of when you think of Ibiza, but Santa Eulària des Riu, the side of the island on which Hotel Riomar is located, is perfect for those who prefer wellness to well drinks. In fact, Santa Eulària des Riu has a very different vibe from the more party-centric Ibiza Town. In contrast to the late-night club scene, Santa Eulària tends to draw couples and families seeking a more low-key vacation, thanks to its beaches, marina, and charming historic town. Those couples, pairs or small groups of friends, and solo travelers (like me!) are prime candidates for Hotel Riomar’s Full Moon Happenings (and other wellness-themed events!), which include tarot classes, guided meditations, Full Moon-themed drinks, and more.
Sound spectacular? Thought you might think so. Ibiza is currently in its off-season, so the hotel’s cosmic events are paused for the moment, but there are more to come in 2024 (keep your eyes peeled on their website for upcoming dates!). In the meantime, read on to learn what’s in store if you book a trip.
(Full transparency: The writer received comped flights, accommodations, and Full Moon experiences during this getaway.)
STAY
Hotel Riomar Ibiza: This stunning hotel is located RIGHT on the beach of Platja des Riu de Santa Eulària. Like, you walk out of the lobby, across the deck, and you’re directly on the beach. In my opinion, it’s 100 percent worth it to splurge for a sea-view room so you can gaze out and watch the moonrise, waves, and sailboats. Oh, and if you need a break from the beach, the hotel also has a pool, garden (with swings!), bar, and a stylish lobby with plenty of comfy seating.
PLAY
Celebrate the Full Moon (duh!): Check your Moon calendar and schedule a stay at Hotel Riomar during a Full Moon, like I did. As I mentioned before, the hotel offers tarot card readings (mine were read by Cosmo contributor Kerry Ward, who writes our weekly tarot horoscopes), nighttime yoga sessions and manifestation classes, and cocktails and mocktails inspired by each Full Moon. My fave was the Pisces Lagoon, a mocktail with grapefruit, ginger beer, and Floreale, a non-alcoholic white vermouth. You can connect with fellow cosmically-minded people, and I can say from experience that it’s a blast!
Beach it up: Don’t forget to schedule plenty of beach time! Along with lounging on Platja des Riu (Hotel Riomar has complimentary beach chairs for guests, and you can order cocktails and snacks straight to your seat), consider taking a short ferry ride (like I did!) on the Santa Eulalia Ferry to the nearby Cala Llonga, which has whiter-than-white sand and bluer-than-blue waters. (You can also drive, but then you miss the view!)
Hotel Riomar’s beach area, seen from my balcony
Explore Santa Eulària des Ríu: Located on a hill, Santa Eulària des Ríu is full of cute shops and restaurants, historic homes, and greenery, and it’s definitely worth exploring, trust me. Walk up the stone stairs to the top of the hill and you’ll see the historic Puig de Missa church and catch some incredible views. There are also many adorable (and friendly!) cats that wander around the town, so that alone makes it worth the trip.
A view of Santa Eulària des Riu
EAT
Ocean Brasserie: Hotel Riomar’s in-house restaurant offers Spanish classics like patatas bravas, Iberian ham croquettes, and calamari…and of course, those cocktails and mocktails I mentioned earlier! You can snack on the deck, at the bar, or even order from your beach chair. Having your sangria arrive at your side without getting up is true luxury.
Café Sidney: This marina café is another great spot for traditional Spanish tapas and an Aperol spritz. There are a number of restaurants around the marina, and this one caught my eye for the way its tables and chairs were laid out to face the boats. And the croquettes were just as good as the view!
Passion: Facing the boardwalk, this cute café was perf for getting my caffeine fix in the morning: I like iced coffee or cold brew in the summer, and that is a very American thing that can be hard to find! While I didn’t sample the lunchtime menu, it’s one of the most popular spots for vegetarian food on the island. Its menu is plant-based, offering healthy and tasty dishes like grain bowls, açai bowls, and avocado toast.
L’Alchimista: A day of sun and sand requires a delicious gelato to cool off, and this shop is a local favorite. I stopped by two days in a row because the ice cream was just that good. It’s also located just off the boardwalk, so you can easily have your stracciatella
while watching the sun set.
Your Santa Eulària Packing List
