Sant Pere del Bosc Hotel & Spa

Set high above the Mediterranean on Spain’s Costa Brava, a little more than an hour north of Barcelona, the imposing façade of the Sant Pere del Bosc makes a dramatic first impression — one that is, truth be told, a little out of line with the laid-back, even playful spirit of the hotel. The estate has its origins as a 9th-century Benedictine monastery, but it spent the last decade or so as the home of a highly regarded contemporary Spanish restaurant. And this solid, castle-like manor on a hill also contains a rather manageable nineteen suites, each of them sunny, spacious and designed with its own theme.

Despite its location on the ground floor, the Rosalía de Castro suite, named after the Spanish poet, features palm-framed views of the Mediterranean through large arched windows. For the best views of all, though, you’ll want to choose the Coral suite, situated in that unmissable tower atop the building. It’s positively enormous; the bathroom alone has a dressing room and reading corner, as well as a freestanding cast iron tub with sea views. There’s really not a dud in the place, from the Fossey suite with its washbasin made from a thousand-year-old tree trunk to the Cava suite with antique wardrobes and hundred-year-old chairs upholstered in Versace silk. For a particularly romantic sanctuary, choose the Sor Catalina or the Isadora, each with a jacuzzi in its private garden.

The pool, too, is a sight to behold. Set within a lush lawn, with the hotel’s towering façade as a backdrop on one side and the rolling green hills on the other, it’s nearly as pretty as the Mediterranean coast below — but not quite. As pleasant as it is to lounge by the pool, the Sant Pere del Bosc’s greatest asset is its location on this stunning stretch of coast. Traveling along the steep seaside cliffs and exploring the rocky coves, it’s easy to imagine how intimidating this rugged landscape may once have been. But then there are the picturesque medieval towns scattered about the hills and mellow fishing villages along the water — proof that hard edges can be worn down with time.

How to get there:
Hotel Sant Pere is next to Sant Pere del Bosc Shrine, 4 miles from Lloret de Mar and 58 miles from Barcelona International Airport.