Grand Palladium White Island Ibiza Review: Our 7-Day All-Inclusive Resort Near Ushuaïa
Trip Overview
- Destination: Ibiza, Spain
- Type of Place: 5-Star All-Inclusive Resort
- Dates Visited: Mid-September 2025
- Ideal For: Couples and groups of friends
First Impression
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to stay at an all-inclusive resort near Ushuaïa — close enough to dance, but quiet enough to rest — here’s our honest take after a full week in Ibiza.
By September, the skies in Stuttgart had already turned gray. We’d spent weeks daydreaming of sunlight, music, and late dinners by the sea — the kind of trip that feels like pressing pause before life speeds up again. So we booked Ibiza, hit play on We’re Going to Ibiza, and packed our bags for one last summer hurrah.
We landed in sunny Ibiza after a short 2 hour 10 minute direct flight from a gloomy, cloudy Stuttgart — Vengaboys still playing through our earbuds. The moment we stepped off the plane, the air smelled like sea salt, sunscreen, and grilled seafood from the nearby beach.
It took less than twenty minutes to get from the airport to Grand Palladium White Island. After a quick check-in, we dropped our bags, looked at each other, and just smiled. We were finally here — ready for a week of relaxation by day and dancing to our favorite DJs by night.
Why We Chose This Place
Our priorities were simple: we wanted an all-inclusive resort with multiple pools and within walking distance of Ushuaïa, because we already had three nights planned for Calvin Harris, Armin van Buuren, and David Guetta.
We always book through Booking.com and, thanks to our Genius level, Grand Palladium White Island caught our eye. It did seem pricey at first — around €300–400 per night — but after a little math (and a little balcony coffee), we realized it was a treat we owed ourselves.
The reviews sounded promising, though once we arrived, we discovered a few small surprises the fine print didn’t mention. The resort is actually split: White Island guests get access to one main pool, while the sister property, Grand Palladium Palace Select, has two additional pools you can only use if you upgrade your wristband.
We also assumed there’d be a private beach just for guests — turns out it’s a nearby public one. That’s on us for not checking! But honestly, those details didn’t change much. The location was unbeatable — a quick 15-minute walk to Ushuaïa and a 10-minute taxi ride from the airport.
Once we settled in and unpacked, it didn’t take long before we slipped into vacation mode.
Life at the Resort
We booked a Deluxe Double Room without a pool view, and honestly, it was perfect. Quiet, peaceful, top floor — a great spot to unwind after long nights. We later realized the pool-view rooms could get noisy since they face the bar and evening music.
Our mornings quickly became our favorite ritual. We’d wake up around 9 a.m., throw on our planned-out morning outfits, and head to the breakfast buffet. It runs from 8 to 11 a.m., but gets busiest between 8:30 and 9:30. Sitting outside with fresh coffee and the sun already warming the pool was the perfect start.
For me, it was my first-ever all-inclusive resort, and I was like a kid again. Walking from buffet to pool bar to sports bar without ever thinking about a bill felt surreal. It was freeing to pay for everything upfront and then just enjoy. The staff were consistently friendly and genuine — happy to serve without expecting a 20 percent tip every time.
And then there was my funniest rookie moment: the “à la carte” mix-up. Growing up, I always thought “à la carte” meant you pay per plate. So when Duygu insisted we book all the à la carte restaurants after check-in, I was confused — why pay extra when the buffet was included? She just laughed, and when I realized they were part of the all-inclusive, we couldn’t stop laughing for ten minutes. Safe to say I was fully sold after that: book them all!
By Day 3, we’d found our routine. By Day 6, we were sipping margaritas in the sun and floating through each day like it was ours alone. By Day 7, we were half-joking about asking for a late checkout — mostly because we didn’t want to leave our in-water beach bed.
And while we found our rhythm, we also started noticing the rhythm of the resort itself.
Crowd & Atmosphere
Since we visited in mid-September, the crowd was mostly couples and groups in their 30s and 40s — plus a few families with young kids. It almost felt like an adults-only resort because everyone was there for the same reason: relax by day, party by night.
Before 9 a.m., the resort was peaceful and quiet. By late morning, the energy picked up — music by the pool, cocktails flowing, laughter spilling over the loungers. By 4 p.m., most people started heading back to their rooms to get ready for dinner or a night at Ushuaïa.
And speaking of evenings, the food was one of the best parts of our stay.
Food & Drinks
We had breakfast every morning at Sa Prunera, the main buffet on the White Island side. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, but if you choose the sunny spots without shade, be ready — it gets really hot!
The selection was huge — everything from American-style eggs and hash browns to British breakfast plates and continental pastries. You can pour your own coffee or juice and order mimosas from the server (yes, included).
For dinner, we booked three à la carte restaurants right after check-in: La Doña (Mexican), Portofino (Mediterranean), and Il Palazzo (Italian). Our favorite was Portofino — we went twice for the sea view and dishes like Formentera-style lobster and entrecôte with rosemary demi-glace. Duygu still talks about the cod confit with black-garlic foam.
La Doña was okay — good margaritas, slower service that night — and we had to cancel Il Palazzo because we had tickets for David Guetta at 9 p.m. Next time, we’ll plan that better.
For drinks, the standard all-inclusive menu was more than enough — margaritas, piña coladas, mojitos, caipirinhas. Premium frozen daiquiris cost extra, but we never bothered. Bars stay open until 1 a.m., perfect for pre-club shots or a nightcap.
After so many evenings of good food and stronger drinks, we started to appreciate just how convenient the location really was.
Location & Access
The location couldn’t have been better. It’s only a 10-minute taxi ride from the airport (around €15 with tip) and a 15-minute walk to Ushuaïa. Mini-marts, cafés, and beach clubs are all nearby — close enough for the action but far enough to sleep peacefully when you need it.
But what really made the week unforgettable weren’t the amenities — it was the people.
Highlights
- The staff. Everyone was phenomenal. Our favorite server at Sa Prunera (a kind older lady) took care of us every day and even returned Duygu’s forgotten bag to the front desk. If the Grand Palladium team is reading this — please let us know her name so we can thank her properly!
- Daniel from Olivera Pool Bar. The guy’s a legend — always smiling, always mixing perfect drinks, and on our last day, he handed us a note with his favorite local beaches.
- Sofia from Guest Services. She booked all three à la cartes, explained the wristband upgrade, and gave us tips for Ushuaïa’s main acts.
These small moments and people are what made the trip feel special — not just the resort itself.
And like every trip, there were a few lessons we wish we’d known before arriving.
Lessons & Tips
- If you’re staying 3+ nights, upgrade your wristband for Palace Select (~€25 per person per day in 2025).
- Book your à la cartes right after check-in; you can always cancel later.
- Taxi from the airport is cheaper than Uber — ours was under €15 with tip.
- Bring a reusable bottle. Each room gets four small cans of water per day; extras cost €2.50 each.
- Refill your bottle at the buffet before heading to your room or the pool.
And because every great trip has its highs and lows…
What We Loved vs What We Didn’t
- Loved: The friendly staff, Portofino’s dinners by the sea, the location near Ushuaïa, and that stress-free all-inclusive freedom.
- Didn’t: No private beach access, White Island rooms are a bit basic next to Palace Select, and late-night food options are limited.
Still, those small details barely mattered when we thought about the bigger picture.
Final Reflection
On our last morning, we watched the first plane of the day fly low over the beach while we sipped our final margaritas by the pool. The island was waking up again, but we weren’t in a rush. Sometimes the best trips aren’t about doing everything — they’re about remembering how to slow down together. For two foodies chasing sunlight and sound, Ibiza was the perfect reminder that rest and rhythm can coexist.
Quick Info
- Price Range: ~€350 per night in September
- Booking Tip: Book the White Island side and upgrade your wristband for Palace access at check-in.
- Best Time to Visit: Early to mid-September (after students are back in school)
- Ideal Length of Stay: 5 to 7 days
- Good to Know: Bring a reusable water bottle — bottled water service is limited.
