Invisa Hotel Club Cala Blanca

This family-friendly resort complex is huge, and not only because it splits and shares features with the adjacent sister property Club Cala Verde. A cascade of stairs, the trellised outdoor waiting area, and infinity fountains out front give it an immediate grandiose feel. However, built in 1974 and with an expansion in 1987, the hotel's Mediterranean-style buildings are outwardly dated. Most public areas and rooms were renovated in 2016 and feel fresh with contemporary decor, but some lower-category rooms are still in need of an update. The sprawling garden grounds and spectacular ocean views are high points. This property mostly sees young couples with babies and older folks year-round, while the summer months are packed with families with young kids. Later in the season, it's all ages and mostly couples. Note that this resort is seasonal, open from mid-April to late-October. Note that tour operators often sell Cala Blanca and Cala Verde as one property, but the truth is that they are two separate properties that have reciprocal access. 

Invisa Hotel Club Cala Blanca is located on the northeastern tip of Ibiza island, with its back to the coast of Es Figueral Beach. This is not a heavily touristed area, so expect to spend money on renting a car or a cab if you want to leave and explore the island. There's nothing really within walking distance except the resort's sister property, which is about a 10-minute walk away. - 17-minute drive to Santa Eulalia

• 32-minute drive to Talamanca 
• 36-minute drive to Ibiza Airport
• 36-minute drive to Playa D'en Bossa
• 37-minute drive to Port of Ibiza
• 38-minute drive to Dalt Vila
• 45-minute drive to San Antonio's Sunset Strip
• 40-minute drive to Es Cavallet Beach

All 448 rooms here are comfortable and spacious, offering sliding glass doors that lead to outdoor spaces, AC, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Classic Singles and Standard Doubles are likely to be within those rooms that were not renovated and thus have a more dated look across furniture and fabrics. Bathrooms have magnifying mirrors and amenity kits with shampoo, shower gel, tissues, and combs. Rooms also have safes, but these cost extra unless you book directly through the hotel's website. Premium rooms were built in the summer of 2016 and have a more contemporary look that features a fresh beach-themed color palette of turquoise and sandy wood laminate furniture. These rooms are also bigger, each with a sitting area furnished with a simple, foam converter sofa. Extra perks in Premium Superiors include free minibar drinks, booze, and snacks (but refills cost extra). These rooms also have a large terrace with polished wood tile floors and slightly dated blue stretched loungers. Sea-view options have stunning views of the Mediterranean, though garden views aren't shabby either. Technology includes Bluetooth lights and a music streaming station. Junior Suites and Family Rooms share the same decor as Premiums, but come with coffee machines and have balconies off all rooms. 

The hotel is set on the fine sands of Es Figueral beach with beautiful views out onto the water. Guests can access the beach down a slightly hidden, but safe, path off the pool area. Since the surrounding area is much less developed than the southern parts of the island, the beach area has views of green-topped hills and small mountains. This natural element gives a relaxing vibe and secluded feel. There are sunbeds for rent by a third party, as well as a few kayaks and other water activities. 

Cala Blanca has a family pool area, usually filled with kids playing in the pool and music pumping in the background. It's big, clean, and surrounded by rows of stretched canvas and plastic loungers and umbrellas. A small, circular kids' pool can also be found in this area. The hotel tries to handle the ever-present problem of people claiming chairs before the pool opens by not putting out the chairs or removing all the deposit-required towels minutes before opening. There's also a nearby indoor pool area with glass windows that are open during the summer, while the pool itself is heated in the colder low season. This area has a regular pool, kids' pool, and a whirlpool, plus a few plastic chairs, but no loungers. The partially covered, open-air Sa Caleta Bar serves drinks and is the source of the music. The adult-only pool area is 18 and up and, with no music playing and peaceful views of the mountains, it's more a place to relax and read. You'll find the same loungers that are over at the family pool, and a jetted area in the middle of the pool. Adjacent to this area is the Buda Chill Out Area, an additional adult-only spot with privacy walls, Asian decor, and a bar that is not included in the all-inclusive package. This relaxing area has cement floors, a massage hut, whirlpool area, and individual thatched huts furnished with white cushioned bench seating. A mountaintop sea-view pool is another all-ages option and it has great views over the water. This also has a bar area and is a popular spot for hotel activities and games. 

Ask any family what their kid's favorite part of Cala Blanca was and they will likely say the water park. The Pirate Island is a standout and family-favorite feature that is essentially a nearly life-sized plastic pirate boat with waterslides, jets, and obstacle areas. Smaller kids have an ankle-deep area with bright plastic animal sculptures that spit water, while parents have plenty of loungers to relax in -- though they are not always out of the splash zone. This area also has its own snack bar with basic treats like ice cream and soda. Next to the water park are the two kids' club areas. The kids' clubs only operate during certain hours of the day, and children must be registered and collected and picked up at a specific meeting point each day. Kids under three must be potty trained or parents have to accompany them. The grade school kids' club area is called Invilandia. Special touches like counselors dressed in character, a clown horn doorbell, and the climbable outdoor playground make this program alluring. The Junior and Teen Clubs run in summer months and include a fun ropes course. 

Along with your standard resort-type features like reservable tennis courts and concierge service, Cala Blanca is packed with features big and small at every turn. In the lobby alone, there are am information touchscreen, ATM, post box, and heavy duty, pay-per-use luggage scale. Guests can expect a welcome juice or water on arrival and several desks set up off reception for information on tours. The hotel's meeting room is equipped with contemporary audiovisual equipment and can fit up to 275 people depending on the configuration and it's often used for yoga retreats and business conferences. Despite the hotel's large size, there are only two restaurants here, La Marina and another, smaller dinner buffet that is less hectic above the main buffet. The former, large buffet-style spot serves a wide variety of food that ranks average on the whole, yet is better than the typical three-pearl all-inclusive buffet. There are several meal plans available from bed-and-breakfast, to half-board, full-board, and all-inclusive,  and all drinks are included at each meal. La Marina's staff are attentive and quick to remove plates from tables, both inside and out on the sea-view patio. Reservations can be made for restaurants at sister property Cala Verde's seasonal La Brasserie and the upstairs restaurant at Cala Blanca.Sports are big here, with three tennis courts that can be reserved by the hour, plus archery, a multi-sport field, bocce, and billiards by the pool. Freebies include a twice-a-day bus service to Santa Eulalia and on-site parking (there are also parking spots out on the street). Wi-Fi is free in the lobby, but it costs extra in the rooms unless you book directly with the hotel. Most rates include free breakfast (but check to be sure). Coin-operated laundry machines and a laundry service are both available.