Mas de la Costa

The region of Matarraña, in the countryside of eastern Aragon, is sometimes said to be Spain’s answer to Tuscany. You can see why, then, a luxury boutique hotel crafted from a 200-year-old farmhouse would be a great success here. Mas de la Costa is surrounded by gardens and groves of olives and almonds; in the distance, the peaks of the Els Ports de Beceite, along the border with Catalonia.

The rooms are a lively mix of antique elements — suites feature fireplaces, stone walls, and timbered ceilings, and all the bathrooms are finished with tiles hand-made in Granada — and contemporary touches, like modern furniture and Frette linens. There’s a salt-water pool for guests’ use during the summer, and a sauna and steam bath for colder seasons; and the surrounding countryside offers plenty of outdoor adventure, including some very fine biking and hiking as well as tours of the vineyards and villages of the Matarraña.

Another Italian connection: Mas de la Costa’s fine-dining restaurant is organized along Slow Food principles, and serves a modern and eclectic Mediterranean cuisine. There’s an honesty bar as well, set in the wine cellar and surrounded by bottles from Spain, France, Italy, and Argentina.