Beso Beach Formentera
A Very Special Place: Lessons from Beso Beach.
There are places we remember because of what we saw. Others because of who we were with. And then there are places like Beso Beach — that become unforgettable because of how they made us feel. Beso Beach, which literally translates to “Kiss Beach,” is more than a restaurant. It’s an atmosphere, a ritual, and, in many ways, a state of mind. Located on the island of Formentera, just a 30-minute boat ride from Ibiza, this place has quietly — or not so quietly — conquered the hearts of both locals and international travelers since opening in 2012.
I’ve been lucky enough to return to Beso Beach multiple times over the years. Different friends. Different moods. But one thing never changed: the feeling. And in hospitality, that consistency is gold.
The Experience If you’ve done it right, your day starts in Ibiza with the hum of a boat engine and the anticipation of sunshine, salt water, and cava sangria. By late morning, you’re anchored just off the beach in front of the restaurant. At 16:00 sharp, the Beso Beach skipper pulls up to your boat.
Tapas arrive first: Jamón Ibérico, croquetas, pan con tomate. Then the seafood paella lands on your table — somehow rich, light, and celebratory all at once. By dessert, something has shifted: the volume goes up, and so do the guests. People are dancing, laughing, and toasting strangers. By the time the music is at its peak and the sun begins to lower, strawberry mojitos are in hand and there’s a shared sense in the air that this moment — this exact energy — will be hard to find again. That’s the core memory.
What I’ve Learned every time I’ve gone back to Beso Beach, I’ve been reminded of something essential about hospitality: it’s not only about luxury, or precision, or perfection. It’s about emotional memory. It’s about building a script where spontaneity feels safe, joy feels effortless, and every guest becomes part of something slightly bigger than themselves. What makes Beso truly successful is the seamless orchestration of moments. The food, the timing, the music — all carefully designed to build toward a crescendo. The team understands something many brands miss: people don’t just come to eat or drink. They come to feel. And if you can deliver that feeling again and again, you’ve won.
Beso Beach taught me that the magic of hospitality lives in the moments between the obvious. It’s in the pickup boat. It’s in the music that breaks the boundary between dining and dancing. It’s in how the staff lets the energy of the day shape the experience — without ever losing control. This place doesn’t just serve food. It serves memories. And isn’t that what all great hospitality should aim for?