Annie Doble, founder of the Annie's Ibiza brand, has been summering on the White Isle for 16 years since first visiting at age 17. She now lives above her shop in Ibiza's Old Town and describes the island as a place that brings people together in a special way, offering freedom and fun.
First Impressions and Island Life
Doble first read about Ibiza in a magazine before the era of social media and felt compelled to visit. Upon landing, she recalls thinking, “Oh my god, this is going to change all my life plans.” She has returned every summer since, now owning a home above the Annie's Ibiza shop in the Old Town. She was last on the island a week ago, collaborating with Bombay Sapphire on a design for one of their RaceBird boats, merging her fashion world with the sea.
Where to Stay and What to Do
For accommodation, Doble recommends the new Soho House for a gin and tonic by the pool, but also loves the tiny, eccentric La Ventana hotel, owned by Pepita and stuck in the 1960s. With just 24 hours, she would take a ferry to Formentera for horse riding on the beach, then head north with diving kits to rent a fishing boat in Benirrás and explore caves. She would finish with lunch and a sauna at Soho House before a quiet evening at home.
Favourite Restaurants and Hidden Gems
Doble eats almost every night at La Oliva, opposite her house, where they have a special cheesy pasta named Annie's pasta. Other favourites include Sa Capella, a restaurant in a 16th-century chapel that has been renovated, and Cala Xuclar in the north, a rustic beachside spot with about six tables. She shares a hidden gem: a cave on the north of the island that she swims under, emerging into a beautiful, light-filled space. “It’s so hard to find but I’ve got a photographic memory so I can always find it eventually,” she says. “It’s such an amazing, uninhabited side of the island that feels very wild.”
Nightlife and Shopping
Ibiza Town comes alive at night, and Doble describes it as a whole concert. After dinner at La Oliva, she mingles and relaxes, often in her shop, which she says is like a night out in itself. “You meet everyone there and find out what parties are going on that night and make sure nobody wears the same dress to each party.” She notes that everyone comes to her in the shop, from Naomi Campbell to many others. Her favourite shops include Porter for basics and daywear, and Archive Closet for vintage finds.
Packing Essentials and Dress Code
Doble advises that in Ibiza, you can wear anything from a day dress to a sparkly gown fit for the Met Gala. For clubs, she recommends mini lengths for ease and boots to avoid being stepped on. Her packing essentials are a bikini, a party dress, and sandals. The one unmissable thing she recommends is swimming in the crystal waters of Formentera, particularly at Espalmador, a sandbank island where you can walk through waist-high clear water. She also suggests dining at Juan y Andrea or El Pirata on the beach.
