My favourite Airbnb: this minimalist retreat in the hills of Ibiza is an island idyll for families and free spirits alike

Ibiza: a place associated with Champagne-spraying reality stars, glitzy clifftop restaurants adored by supermodels, and high-octane partying. As appealing as this might sound for a long weekend, it’s a scene my friends and I wanted the freedom to dip in and out of as we pleased, not be smothered by.

Enter Can Rudayla, a four-bedroomed futuristic spot on the white isle’s east coast, in the neighbourhood of Siesta. Santa Eulalia is the nearest town, easily reached by car and on foot – just be warned that the return journey could leave you a little puffed out in the height of summer.

Dundee-born hair stylist and artist Jeff, the manager and handyman, meets us at the villa. Maintenance is just one of the notches on his belt, and his introduction to the property is much appreciated as there’s lots to get acquainted with over four floors.

We’re greeted by the dipping pool and lower-level terrace on entering. Don’t expect to do morning laps, but it’s great for small groups to dip in and out of during afternoons on the sleek sunbeds.

Breathlessness aside, the hilltop location is one of Can Rudayla’s main draws. At the top of the hill, it feels like a gated complex in the depths of Beverly Hills – the neighbouring properties are all grand villas, and the large hotels and sunbed-hogging hoards feel a million miles away. The views are captivating; paddle in the pool and gaze wistfully towards the Mediterranean waves lapping on the shores of Santa Eulila’s public beaches. In the distance, pristine yachts and Bond-esque speedboats rest in the sheltered marina.

Overall, the vast outdoor space is a huge selling point. There’s so much room across two terrace levels that it feels anything but cramped – ample space for everyone, even in a group of eight, to spread out on their own sunlounger, day bed or outdoor sofa. Built-in Bluetooth speakers are great for getting the party started, and there’s no need to worry about disturbing the neighbours as the speakers’ highest possible volume has been set so that surrounding properties can’t hear a thing – and that was more than loud enough for us.

Inside, the open-plan lounge area and kitchen are the beating heart of the house. There’s storage to stock a week’s worth of drinks, food and goodies for large groups and all the kitchen utensils you’d need to cook up a storm ahead of a rooftop dinner party. Trusty Jeff is just a Whatsapp away if there are any issues or common sense conundrums.

Interiors are best defined as bare concrete with bursts of colour. Framed posters and photographs on the walls are pop-culture nods, while there are vibrant focal points in the breakout area to the side of the kitchen from the furniture's yellow, pink and blue hues.

Bedrooms are relatively bare but in the best, minimalist sense. Extra-large beds are in the centre of rooms, and steel clothes rails in the corners. En-suite bathrooms are the work of Zaha Hadid; my mid-level master also had an outdoor bath set under a shelter of artificial foliage and twinkling lights. The room was a neutral, cool haven with access to the wraparound walkway terrace. The only downside was a slightly exposed feeling in the shower – there’s no blind, so there’s a risk of giving pals an eyeful if they surprise you via the outdoor route.

The villa's terraces are illuminated as the sun sets and the island lights up. Walking up the illuminated stairs of an evening feels like entering the Love Island villa – it’s no surprise influencers and island DJs have taken residence here.

It feels like the strobe lights and late nights Ibiza’s become notorious for are a world away. In reality, the island takes up just 571 square kilometres of Mediterranean territory; Mallorca is more than six times larger, and the British island of Angelsey is considerably larger. Nothing is out of reach by car and, if you can decipher the schedule, buses travel between the towns during high season.

To the west, the chatter and pop-up DJ sets at Café Mambo await – tables are hot property and require a minimum spend, but there’s a reason people pile into this corner of the island to watch the sunset each evening. 20 minutes south of the villa, Pacha, Ibiza’s original superclub, comes alive every night, superstar DJs and producers projecting dance hits through the state-of-the-art sound system. This is the beauty of Can Rudayla – it’s just as much a place for families to play as it is for sore heads to rest.

In quieter Santa Eulalia, mojito-sipping twenty-somethings sit comfortably alongside breastfeeding mothers munching after days spent on the beach; it’s a refreshing environment to recoup in, ears to the sea as waves cascade onto the shore. Best of all, it’s just a short mooch back to the comfort of Can Rudayla.

Bellies full, we amble back up the hill. The sea comes into view, the moon casting a fluorescent, rippling streak over the waves. It’s early September, and the skies are still clear, so we skip bed in favour of the sunloungers, eyes peeled for shooting stars as another night of sparkly celebrations kick off far, far away.

Can Rudayla is available to book for groups of up to eight, year-round.