With 'Sam Cam' spotted grooving at a rave (sorry, international music festival) in Ibiza during a half-term family holiday last month, her appearance has only added to the kudos of this hot isle where the pretty people party and own holiday homes.
Jade Jagger has two houses here. Wimbledon No.1 Rafael Nadal has built a luxury enviro-friendly villa near Cala Conta beach. And, James Blunt hopes his purchase of a £1.7 million villa will inspire him to write more beautiful songs.
“Ibiza’s a bit under the radar compared to flashier St Tropez. Celebrities are left alone; n
o one stares when they enter a restaurant,” says Charl Ackerman from Aylesford International.
Notting Hill in the sun
Folk that buy on this Spanish island, known as ‘Notting Hill in the sunshine’, tend to be those who’ve holidayed here for years. It could be a good time to join them, as prices for quality property have dropped 5-10% from 2007 highs, Ackerman points out.
The Camerons
fit the profile of the average cool Ibiza buyer: young professional couples or families in the 35-45 age bracket. And it’s not a British ghetto, like some parts of the Costa del Sol. “There’s international appeal, as any European can get here within a couple of hours,” explains Christian de Meillac from Knight Frank International.
The canny buyer’s getting away from the south coast and venturing up north, “where architecture’s more typical and it’s rustic and quiet,” says Roman Lang from Engel & Volkers. “People who spend half or most of the year here like to keep chickens and grow vegetables.”
Hot tip: West Coast
Another hot tip is the west coast, just above Es Cubells on the stretch next to San Jos
e and the Natural Reserve. “It’s heavily protected here, so it won’t be ruined. You can pick up a three-bedroom villa with a sea view and pool for about 1.8 million euros, compared to the south where you’ll pay 2-2.5 million euros,” adds Ackerman.
To do a Sam Cam and dance the night away, “you’ll need at least a million Euros to buy into the Ibiza scene”, sums up Nick Woodward from Jackson-Stops & Staff International. Grooving doesn’t come cheap, even for a Prime Minister’s wife.