This Adults-Only Hotel Encapsulates The Best of Spain's Costa Brava

10.12.2024 - 21:46 / matadornetwork.com

Since hearing about the “Wild Coast” of Spain, I felt drawn to the northeastern corner of Catalonia. The Costa Brava is a 140-mile clutch of rocky swimming coves backed by stone pine and fig trees misting over the remnants of medieval watchtowers. Camí de Ronda walking trails skirt the craggy cliffs and crumbling tunnels once patrolled by frontier guards as they rounded up smugglers.

Cala del Pi Beach Resort, an adults-only Sallés Hotel, sits on a bluff at the northern end of Platja d’Aro and is named for the itty-bitty cove below the overhang. The hotel is set back enough from town to guarantee peace and quiet during high season, but not so far back as to feel disconnected. As part of the Empordà region, this five-star seaside hotel is a base for wine tourism as well as hiking, cycling, and sailing.

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Photo courtesy Casa del Pi

When in the Med, never say “no” to a sea view. I was left speechless watching the sun rise and set from the balcony of my Deluxe Sea View Room. At night, I left the balcony doors open to benefit from a soothing breeze and soundtrack of waves. Although rooms have blackout blinds, I left these open to enjoy dawn wake-up calls.

The decor had a nautical touch with a sand and pebble gray palette; hardwood flooring and corrugated wood panels added warmth and texture. The rest of the hotel carries a subtle marine theme through carvings of sea creatures and glass chandeliers that made me think of shoals. Some areas sported countryside artifacts, harking back to the building’s original purpose as a masia, or traditional farmhouse.

All 49 rooms come with a terrace and most have a sea view but there are a few exceptions. Waking up to a sea view was a highlight of my stay, followed swiftly by a nightly spa circuit.

Photo courtesy Casa del Pi

Cala del Pi Beach Resort pulled out all the stops with its spa: 600 square meters (6,458 square feet) of twinkling aquamarine mosaics, handsome terracotta columns, and jetted gizmos. Hotel guests have two hours of complimentary use each day whereas non-residents can enter for a fee of €40 (about $42). The suite features a large pool with hydrotherapy beds, cannons, and massaging waterfalls.

There’s also a hot tub (almost made redundant by the pool), foot spa, dry sauna, steam room, and a trio of therapeutic showers. Guests can flit between the facilities or follow the suggested spa circuit. I visited the spa each evening and rated the nighttime ambiance; daytime visitors will appreciate the sunlight trickling in through the glass roof.

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