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# Ibiza: Agroturismo hotels
## The rediscovery and celebration of Ibizan culture and traditions has found
powerful expression in the growing number of agroturismo hotels which have
opened on the island in the past 10 years.
![A recent celebration of Ibizan culture has brought about a rise in
Agroturismo hotels][1]
A recent celebration of Ibizan culture has brought about a rise in Agroturismo
hotels
Richard Madden 1:09PM BST 29 Jul 2009
The idea is a simple one. Throughout the past 30 years, during the heady
growth of the island's resorts, the rural architecture and culture of the
island had been largely ignored by the island's many visitors.
But not any more. Over the past decade about 30 luxury boutique hotels have
opened on the island, and all have been converted from dilapidated fincas
(farmhouses) built in the traditional Ibicencan style. Most are located in
remote, rural areas and surrounded by land, which has been put to good use to
grow organic produce that is harvested and later dished up to guests from top-
class kitchens.
One example is Cas Gasi in the San Rafael valley, near the town of Santa
Gertrudis de Fruitera in the centre of the island. Owned and run by Barcelona-
born Margaret von Korff and her partner Luis Trigueros, the original finca was
built in 1880. The front terrace has extensive views over undisturbed
countryside towards Sa Talaia, the island's highest peak.
The couple lived in the finca for a decade before converting it into a hotel.
'It was a labour of love,' Margaret told me during my recent visit, 'and we
grow many types of fruit for which this valley is famous - including almonds,
figs, carob and citrus, and olives which we press ourselves to make our own
oil. We also keep chickens and have our own wells. Water is recycled so it can
be used in the gardens.'
Outside the front door of the hotel is an ancient olive tree, that may well be
more than 400 years old, the perfect symbol of everything the agroturismo
movement stands for. The surrounding landscape is full of colour and the two
swimming pools are circled by jasmine plants and orange blossom.
## Related Articles
* [Agroturismo hotels][2]
05 May 2011
* [Ibiza - Active holidays][3]
29 Jul 2009
* [Undiscovered Ibiza][4]
29 Jul 2009
* [Ibizan culture and heritage][5]
29 Jul 2009
* [Ibiza - Beyond the nightclubs][6]
29 Jul 2009
* [The history of Ibiza][7]
29 Jul 2009
Inside, the well-chosen, unfussy furnishings are colourful and, in true
Ibicencan style, elegant. Terracotta floors lend a warm and homely atmosphere,
with an open fire for winter evenings, while each room and suite is decorated
in its own unique style. Not to be forgotten are the original and beautifully
gnarled sabina pine beams, the signature trademark of Ibiza's traditional old
buildings.
Begun in Italy - when working farms began supplementing their income by
letting out rooms - the agroturismo movement got under way in Ibiza in 1997,
when Vicente Mari, the owner of Can Curreu in the town of Sant Carles,
introduced the idea of using a hotel to promote the old traditions of the
island.
Vicente was born here, and his grandfather worked in the mine still visible
from the gardens. The building also has an historic link with the first
hippies who settled in San Carlos. Can Curreu (which means post office in
Catalan) received all the letters to the town which were then distributed
among the newly arrived 'hairies' by horse and cart.
Two other very special hotels that have adopted the agroturismo approach are
Can Talaias, also near the village of Sant Carles, and Can Planells, in the
north-west of the island near Sant Miquel. The former was once home to Terry-
Thomas, the much-loved character actor, and is now run by Cushan, his son, and
Laetitia, his daughter-in-law. All the rooms have retained the bohemian
character of their original owner, and the hotel also functions as a farm with
its own pigs (not on the menu), and has an extensive cactus garden.
Can Planells is also an old family farmhouse in which the owner, Joan
Planells, his father and grandfather were born. Perched on a hill, the hotel
has spectacular views of the island north towards the coast and south to Ibiza
Old Town. Joan remembers vividly the days before mains water, electricity, TV
and the other mod cons that have changed Ibizan life out of all recognition
during his lifetime. He still, however, grows fruit, avocados and camomile,
and besides being known as a bon vivant is one of the island's most welcoming
hosts.
Cas Gasi: 0034 971 197 700; [**www.casgasi.com**][8]
Can Curreu: 0034 971 335 280; [**www.cancurreu.com**][9]
Can Talaias: 0034 971 335 742; [**www.hotelcantalaias.com**][10]
Can Planells: 0034 971 334 924; [**www.canplanells.com**][11]
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## [Ibiza][17]
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[Ibiza Videos »][19]
### [Watch videos from Ibiza][19]
[![Sant Joan Festival Ibiza][20]][19]
Get a sneak preview of some of the amazing things you can see and do on a
holiday in Ibiza, from agroturismo hotels and summer festivals to mountain
biking, kayaking and outdoor yoga.
## [Ibiza hotels »][21]
### [Ibiza: Agroturismo hotels][22]
[![A recent celebration of Ibizan culture has brought about a rise in
Agroturismo hotels][23] ][22]
The recent celebration of Ibizan culture has found powerful expression in the
growing number of agroturismo hotels.
### [Ibiza: Can Lluc boutique hotel][24]
[![Can Lluc is one of several luxury boutique hotels that have sprung up on
Ibiza in recent years. ][25] ][24]
Hidden in a beautiful Ibizan valley, Can Lluc is boutique hotel with
traditional roots.
### [Festivals in Ibiza][26]
[![Ibiza's festivals are both important cultural events and a great excuse for
a street party. ][27] ][26]
From the festival of Sant Joan to the Festes de la Terra, Ibiza's festivals
are vibrant, colourful and often deeply moving.
[1]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01688/IBIZA-
hotels_1688555c.jpg
[2]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/ibiza-videos/8494924
/Agroturismo-hotels-Ibiza.html
[3]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/5918824/Ibiza-Active-
holidays.html
[4]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/5919069/Ibiza-Off-the-
beaten-track.html
[5]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/5919146/Ibiza-Culture-
and-heritage.html
[6]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/5917888/Ibiza-Beyond-
the-nightclubs.html
[7]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/5918060/Ibiza-History-
of-the-island.html
[8]: http://www.casgasi.com
[9]: http://www.cancurreu.com
[10]: http://www.hotelcantalaias.com
[11]: http://www.canplanells.com
[12]: #
[13]: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/4590190/Share-this-
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[17]:
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[18]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01454/in-association-
wit_1454531a.gif
[19]:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/ibiza-
videos/
[20]:
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01887/joansum_1887883e.jpg
[21]: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibi
za/7960430/Ibiza-Can-Lluc-boutique-hotel.html
[22]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/5918728/Ibiza-
Agroturismo-hotels.html
[23]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01688/IBIZA-
hotels_1688555e.jpg
[24]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/7960430/Ibiza-Can-Lluc-
boutique-hotel.html
[25]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01701/can-lluc-
ibiza_1701582g.jpg
[26]: /sponsored/travel/spanish_tourist_board/ibiza/7960404/Festivals-in-
Ibiza.html
[27]: http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01701/ibiza-
festivals_1701576e.jpg