Las Banderas crouches on the sand dunes of Playa des Mitjorn, flags waving gently overhead. It's a myriad of muted brights swathed in mish-mashed fabrics and prints, with rich artwork, meandering mosaic passageways anddelightful kooky accommodation resonating eclectic Balearic-global styling. There are five unique doubles, a charming suite, six nearby apartments and the Can Cristobel house (sleeping six).
With prices starting from only 75 euros to 130 euros for a thoroughly quirky double, you can afford to splash out. Inventive and original fusion food and gently intoxicating cocktails enhance the sublime atmosphere that pervades the very walls of Las Banderas, seconds from crystal blue waters.
Leah& Tilbury epitomises lbiza chic as she runs around Les Banderas in a fabulous floaty dress and dangling jewellery, charming guests with her soft smile. She was raised in the rolling hills of San Carlos by artist father Lance and fashionista mum Patsy (who worked for Terry Thomas), running between the Thomas and Tilbury homes with sister Charlotte who now paints the faces of Vogue and Pop.
After attending international Morna Valley School, she enjoyed a spell in England at Lucy Clayton's finishing school: "I was a real rebel before, but I got a lot out of finishing school. I enjoyed the routine, learnt etiquette and my confidence grew. I learnt how to walk the catwalk, type and even do flower arranging!"
At 15 her parents took her on an eye-opening and soul-deepening trip around India in a taxi. Back in Ibiza she set up a drama group with her friends, producing and a number of productions including The Fame Game.
Just after falling pregnant with her first daughter Sophia, Leah met husband John in ’94 at a party in Ibiza. "I was incredibly nervous and didn't know what to say to him. I asked him if he'd ever seen Faulty Towers. Now we're running our own Faulty Towers!” she giggles.
John comes from a family of restaurateurs and studied marketing, indoor design and construction before moving into real estate in Ibiza. One day Patsy Tilbury noticed a cute little place called Taberna La Formentera dishing up paellas to eager tourists, and by a bizarre Balearic coincidence John sold some furniture to owner Yvonne Van Dalsen from his shop Propety and Art in Santa Eularia. She pestered him to it take it over before he relented in 1999, just as Formentera  was creeping onto Ibiza's metaphorical map.
With their hippy-chic alterations they created a unique haven unlike any other in lbiza and Formentera. At Las Banderas it’s east meets west and Ibiza meets India, where Leah’s bohemian tendencies mix with John's love of the city. The effect is both beguiling and soothing.  While John busies himself in the background doing logistics and direction, Leah is front of house. "I'm good with people because I can fit in anybody's shoes. I'm here 24-7 and I love it, locked in my own little world. I'm not confronted with reality here; it's like a theatre where I can get my acting frustrations out."With no publicity bar a few free postcards, word spread among Ibiza's soul searchers looking to escape to Formentera and an article in The Sunday Times cited Las Banderas as the place for fashionable de-stressing. While John may groan at the 'hoo haas' who come here and the 15 calls he receives a day, Leah laughs about the man who rang asking if they had a heli-pad or the piles of Gucci luggage at their painted doors. Married since '97, what they share is a passion for what they do - providing a refreshing alternative to the high prices and tourist traps of lbiza and a captivating place to recharge the batteries.
Now they have a two-page entry in the American Express black book and the clientele are Brazilian, German, Austrian, Swiss, Argentine and many more, all clamoring for a divine taste of the hippy vibes of Las Banderas and a special cocktail by John and Leah's daughter Bella. Be sure to book and when you arrive glide though the archway and onto the terrace restaurant to peruse the menu busting with fab fusion food, served by Jodie and Ferrucio who honed their skills at Curasi in the Caribbean and The Mansion in Holland.
There are heavenly tapas to share, including succulent sashimi drizzled with hot sesame and olive oil dressing and the tempting medzedes tapas de Babalonia.
Follow up with a spicy Malaysian Laska soup packed with fish, noodles and cucumber or a huge tagine of lamb with couscous and raisins. Whatever you eat, dinner will be a divine global treat, washed down with a few fruity tipples before checking out the shop for some hippy chic touches for your own wardrobe. Then it's time to retreat to your quarters where the heady ambience and romantic vibes of Las Bandera collide to make your own heavenly after-dinner cocktail.