Latest news with #TonyPike
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
I followed a dusty path in Ibiza and found the island's most iconic hotel
Metro Checks In to Pikes Ibiza, an institution of the infamous 'White Isle' that is as famous for its Sunday roast and A-list DJ sets as its juicy history. There's a lot to say about Ibiza and its contradictions. On one hand, the island is a blissful escape from modern life, with its beautiful beaches and Instagrammable landscapes. On the other, it has bone-shaking beats and mega clubs, pool parties and, as of this month, Ibiza Final Boss vibes. But there is one place that strikes the right balance of party and peace. I am talking, of course, about Pikes, an Ibiza institution that sits in the countryside, just beyond the buzzing 24/7 town of San Antonio at the end of a 500m-long rubble-filled path. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. At a glance, the entrance suggests 'unassuming and rustic' – after all, it used to be a 15th-century finca – and offers little clue to what awaits inside. The brainchild of island legend Tony Pike, who opened it in 1980 and lived there as a guest until he died in 2019, the venue has long been a much-discussed 'must-visit' for a night out on the White Isle. While there's no doubt it's chaotically charged fun once the sun goes down, by day, this boutique hotel comes to life in a very different way – as I discovered on a recent trip. Walking through the beautifully kept gardens with the hot Ibiza sun beating on my back, a clutter of well-looked-after cats slink around me. One of them, Romana – said to be the Queen of Pikes – sits regally in reception. At check in we're met by our hostess Audrey, who shows us to our room and delivers us to the iconic poolside area, which featured in Wham's Club Tropicana video. We're told that all new arrivals get a free welcome cocktail from the bar – aptly named Club Tropicana – and we're handed an ice-cold paloma. As birds chirp in the trees and the poolside DJ gets to work, there's no escaping that this place is a world away from the super-size hotels that have infiltrated the island. Huge day beds are dotted across the tiles of the multi-level terraces surrounding the pool, and there's enough for everyone — no sunbed wars here. Once we settle in, it's hard to move again. To be fair it's only a few steps to the pool for a dip, but with friendly staff on hand to take drink orders, find you some shade or simply have a chat, there's really no need to do anything else. It's a friendliness that extends between guests, as conversations about last night's DJ to today's plans dance through the air. The hotel boasts an A-list guestbook, from Kylie Minogue to Rita Ora and the Blessed Madonna, while DJs such as Fatboy Slim, David Guetta and Roger Sanchez have graced the decks. Freddie Mercury was also regular, even throwing his infamous 41st birthday party at the hotel. He always stayed in the Marrakech Suite, which has since been turned into a tiny club called Freddie's in his honour. With such big names hanging about it is easy to assume that everyone will look like a superstar, but the reality is – and maybe due to Pikes over-27 'rule' – guests come in all shapes and sizes. Everyone is welcome. In fact, there's only one thing that might get someone turned away, hostess Audrey confides. 'If they're a c***', she says matter of factly. Being a guest means you get to see Pikes in all its glorious daytime technicolour. In the Plaza Mayor, disco balls sparkle and specks of light dance off them onto the garish pink walls and eye-popping fuschia, violet and magenta flowers. There's 26 rooms in total and we're staying in one of the Garden Junior Suites, where a black and white picture of Debbie Harry hangs on the wall and bottles of fancy tequila sit next to the mini bar. It's sleek, comfy and cool. Outside there's a fully mod-con bath, just in case you fancy a soak in the sunshine. The doors are soundproof, so once you've had enough, you can easily switch off for the night. At breakfast, coffee is poured into a Pikes mug that sits on every table. As it flows, my server smiles and says 'life is good, eh'. While a few decades ago the food might have been hit and miss, Pikes is now known as a place to eat as well as party. Portion-sizes are generous – there's no chance of going hungry. The Sunday roast is almost as famous as some of its guests. With prices starting at €28 for the vegan and €32 for the meat version – which are all served with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese, mixed greens, roast carrots and parsnips with agave syrup and gravy – it's so delicious, it's worth every penny. As you explore, you can see that every corner is a nod to the legacy of Pikes. There's the uber-Instagrammable pink tennis court from the 80s, complete with giant rollerboot. Then there's the tiny bathroom just along from Freddies, with a tub filled with balls ready for some merriment. I've partied in there and it's just as much fun, if not more, as any other superclub on the Isle. There are nooks and crannies to explore and hang out in, from the easily missed Potting Shed to a place where you can have a singalong while someone plays Freddie Mercury's piano. Plus, the club's no photo policy means that you can let your hair down without fear the morning after. The best bit though? More Trending As a guest of the hotel, when you're done there are no taxi dramas or fears of fomo, as you can just head back to your rooms (and then go back out again if the desire takes you). Of course, staying at a place like this isn't cheap. But if you ask me, it's worth it. So many people we met were repeat Pikes guests, booking up well in advance. Plus, I learned, if you happen to order a drink while the poolside DJ plays Club Tropicana, you'll get it for free. (Think about it.) Claie Wilson was a guest of Pikes Ibiza. Rooms at Pike's start from €229 per night for a 'Pikes Room' and €389 for a Garden Suite. Breakfast included. For exclusive offers, customers can sign up to the Pikes newsletter here. MORE: I've travelled all over Canada, but nothing compares to its 'ocean playground' MORE: People didn't understand why a Black man would visit the North Pole MORE: Virgin orders 12 new high-speed trains in biggest challenge to Eurostar yet
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tony Pike to be inducted in Cincinnati Bearcats Hall of Fame
Former University of Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike is heading to the James P. Kelly Athletic Hall of Fame. The former Reading High School product was informed of his induction by UC athletic director John Cunningham who called Pike's radio show with Austin Elmore on ESPN 1530 July 31. An emotional Pike was greeted by his wife and three kids in the studio with balloons. "UC has been a part of my life since I remember," Pike told Cunningham. "I grew up going to games with my grandpa. I love the University more than anything. This is truly an awesome honor." The famous No. 15 who toiled for the Blue Devils before waiting for his opportunity at UC later told The Enquirer of his gratification. "I'm a product of so many people around me," Pike said. "My family poured so much into me and I'm so thankful for them. My parents worked endlessly to give me every opportunity to succeed in life. My grandpa got me started with my love for UC by taking me to all the games. I got to live out my dream by playing and contributing to the Bearcats. I wouldn't be here without so many great teammates and coaches. I'm grateful for them and I'm extremely grateful for the system I have in place at home with my amazing wife and awesome kids." The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Pike was a UC Bearcat from 2005-2009 and passed for 5,018 yards and 49 touchdowns in his career. Under Brian Kelly, he led UC to the Orange Bowl vs. Virginia Tech after the 2008 season and the Sugar Bowl vs. Florida after the 2009 season. UC AD John Cunningham on Tony Pike "You're one of our greats," Cunningham told Pike on radio. "You represent the Bearcats, you drive our brand, you continue to do it. We're excited to have you be a part of this awesome Hall of Fame class." The rest of the upcoming 2025 James P. Kelly Athletic Hall of Fame class will be announced in the near future. Tony Pike's Cincinnati Bearcats highlights In 2009, he threw for 2,520 yards and 29 touchdowns despite missing three games to injury. His most famous pass was the touchdown toss to Armon Binns in snowy Pittsburgh when the Bearcats erased a 31-10 deficit and beat the Panthers 45-44, preserving their unbeaten record. Pike was First Team All-Big East in 2009 and Second Team All-Big East in 2008. He finished his UC career throwing a touchdown in 17 straight starts. Pike, in addition to his radio duties on ESPN 1530 has been the sideline reporter during UC football radio broadcasts with Dan Hoard and Jim Kelly in recent years. Pike was also a sixth-round NFL draft pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2010. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats to add former QB Tony Pike to Hall of Fame
NZ Herald
27-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Tony Pike's Boombox and Ashoka set for Ruakākā rematch
Tony Pike found it difficult to split his juvenile charges the last time they took each other on and it's the same story at Ruakākā. The Cambridge trainer has form runners Boombox and Ashoka in Saturday's ITM/GIB 2YO Championship (1200m), in what will be a rematch of their Ellerslie
NZ Herald
06-06-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Pike's hand forced at Ellerslie with young talent
Tony Pike will have a quartet of runners by necessity rather than design in today's two-year-old contest at Ellerslie. The Cambridge trainer will be represented by trial winners Arthur, Ashoka, Boombox and Happy Youmzain in the Network Visuals Juvenile (1200m). 'It was never the intention to run four together, but
NZ Herald
02-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Riccarton mud bath avoided as racing bosses get flexible
Punters who bet into the meeting before the switch have had those bets refunded and the meeting was re-opened for betting with scratchings put back into the fields on Thursday night. What punters end up with is a meeting certain to go ahead while the trainers chasing valuable black type with their two-year-olds in the Champagne Stakes at least know they will have a fairer surface. The Champagne Stakes remaining black type had to be approved by the Pattern Committee, the group charged with maintaining the quality of New Zealand black type racing. 'The switch to the synthetic has to be a good move because I don't think punters enjoy seeing horses trying to handle a Heavy 10 if they don't have to,' says Cambridge trainer Tony Pike, who has Lucy In The Sky in the feature. 'Sure, it probably helps our filly because I was worried about the very heavy track but in reality we would have struggled to even run the whole meeting on the turf. 'Taking my horse out of it I see no issues running a black type race on a synthetic track. You wouldn't do it every week but I think all round the right decisions have been made for the industry.' Lucy In The Sky comes out of the Group 1 Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie last start so drops enormously in grade today and while her $2.50 price last night wasn't enormous overs she could close significantly shorter today. Pike has a team of eight at Te Rapa today too and is confident of starting the day with a winner, he just doesn't know which horse. 'I think I can win Race 1 but I am not sure who is the better chance out of High Country or Poetic Justice,' he says. With the pair at boosted odds of $6.50 and $5.50 respectively smart punters looking for an early TAB account bump could do worse than backing them both. The Te Rapa meeting also holds a black type juvenile race as those opportunities start to run dry for the babies but it has a far more even feel, with a Karaka Millions runner like Toretto against those who have emerged over the autumn. Across the Tasman there will be Kiwi flavour at both Eagle Farm (Queensland) and Morphettville (South Australia), with Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh having runners at both. Marsh has Roctave (R8, No.10) in the A$1million South Australian Derby while Tardelli, who was narrowly beaten against the older horses in the Easter at Ellerslie last start, contests the A$350,000 Queensland Guineas with Michael McNab to ride.
