As you drive steeply up, up into the clouds, until you feel you can climb no higher, a dramatically slow-opening electric gate is the first clue that you’re about to stumble upon something rather special. Palm trees, cacti and suntrap sofas reel you in, while a soul-soothing sense of relaxation hits you immediately between the eyes. But this is relaxation on a grand scale: a giant-sized master bed here, an over-stretched plasma there… An enormous pool is teamed with two kitchens and extensive terraces, while a blanket of farmland spreads out gently below slopes down to where the waves crash and glitter at the shore.
Perched on its own mountain, Las Nubes lies to the civilised and tranquil northeast of the island, 3km from the arty village of San Carles. With pine forests on the doorstep ripe for roaming in and uninterrupted views across the land to the sea, this is pure escapism on the island that never sleeps. The mountain is all yours to play with.
There’s always a cool breeze playing around the edges of Las Nubes; a perfect antidote to the day’s scorching mercury fluctuations. At more than 100 metres above sea level, you can see Palma, on a clear day, from the terrace that wraps itself around the house. Sometimes you can even catch a sprinkling of lights in the distance at night. Serene, tranquil, almost trance-like in its peacefulness, this house seems to induce both calm and energy. The feel isn’t brash, but rather sumptuous, effortless luxury.
Las Nubes manages to achieve that idyllic combination of modern meets fireplace-cosy; cool grey stone floors run underneath large French-style cupboards, while huge loungers and lampshades add irresistible splashes of colour. Bedrooms are chic and unfussy: shady retreats from the sun with pristine white bedspreads stretching over large double beds and terrace doors that open onto salty sea views. The result? A sense that a lot of love has gone into this house.
Birds of Paradise flowers spring from between cool white stone steps by the pool, while pomegranates, clementines, avocados, pears, apricots and apples all grow in the grounds. You even have your own vineyard, which produces wine that the locals are going crazy for. Totally self-sufficient and with enough water to see you through, oh, seven months or so (‘should things go nuclear’, according to the owner) there’s something empowering about this king of the castle house. Even the stone used all over the house and garden is from the mountain.
Whether you want to curl up with a morning book, loll on outside sofas for a lunchtime barbecue, or lie on the roof and breathe in the heady fumes of the Ibizan sunset, you’re spoilt for chill-out choice when it comes to getting comfortable at Las Nubes. Relax on plump grey sofas in the living room and light the enormous candles around the fireplace, or recline on the poolside mattresses at twilight – it’s your choice. This is the kind of house you luxuriate in for two weeks, only to wish you’d booked it for a month.
Reviewed by Charlotte Crisp
