A notorious Ibiza party hotel, where two British men fell to their deaths from balconies within weeks last summer, has announced a major overhaul. The move follows a string of tragic incidents at the venue, which had led some locals to dub it the 'death hotel'.
A Summer of Tragedy in San Antonio
The Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio, a staple of the island's clubbing scene for two decades, found itself at the centre of a safety crisis in 2025. On July 7th, 26-year-old Evan Thomson from Aberdeen died after falling from the hotel's sixth floor while on holiday with friends. Just two weeks later, in the early hours of July 21st, 19-year-old Gary Kelly from Scotland fell from a third-floor balcony and was pronounced dead.
These were not isolated incidents. Earlier in the year, on April 27th, a 19-year-old Italian tourist died after falling from the fourth floor while reportedly trying to access her locked room via a balcony. Three days after that, a 33-year-old British woman with a known heart condition collapsed and died in her room. The cluster of fatalities raised serious questions about regulations and safety protocols at the budget resort, where rooms can cost from just €54 (£46) per night.
Families' Pleas and the Hotel's Response
In the wake of the tragedies, grieving families called for immediate safety improvements. Evan Thomson's sister, Telia, publicly urged the hotel to install glass panels on the balconies to prevent future accidents. Following Gary Kelly's death, the hotel temporarily paused its events programme, stating it was acting "out of respect for those involved."
The hotel group, Ibiza Rocks Group, expressed its "dismay" and offered support to the families, emphasising the events were due to "causes beyond our control." There is no suggestion the hotel was found legally responsible for the deaths.
A New Era: The Ibiza Rocks Pool Club
This week, the venue announced a significant transformation for the 2026 season. The property will be fully refurbished and rebranded as the Ibiza Rocks Pool Club. A statement on the hotel's website declared, "Ibiza is changing, so are we," positioning the revamp as a response to feedback that the island had become "out of reach" and had "lost its connection."
The redesign will focus on the pool area, with a new colour scheme and landscaping. The concept shifts towards curated daytime club events, with tickets going on sale on February 2nd. Patrick Nazemi, the hotel's chief booker, said the aim was to create a space with "atmosphere, personality and proper moments," adding, "We're not here to claim a revolution. We're simply refocusing on what matters. Not louder. Not bigger. Just better."
While the announcement focuses on experience and atmosphere, it comes against a backdrop of intense scrutiny over guest safety. The refurbishment plans do not explicitly mention any specific new safety measures, such as the balcony modifications previously suggested by victims' families.
The hotel has experienced tragedy before. In August 2020, the staff were praised for their compassionate handling of the sudden death of 23-year-old Amy Connor from Northern Ireland, who passed away in her sleep. Her family commended the hotel's generosity and support during their "time of need."
