Hotel Castell d'Emporda ★★★★

Standing tall on the hilltop, the Castell d’Empordà has been watching over the Bisbal valley since 1301. “Mummy, we are going to sleep in the princess castle?” my daughter exclaimed as we first laid eyes on it from afar. She’s only five, but I had exactly the same feeling. For one night, I was going to have a night in a Spanish castle, and I couldn’t wait.

Our arrival confirmed all of our expectations. As we drove up the hill to the hotel, I felt like a modern-day princess with my modern-day Prince Charming, and all the more so as we crossed the threshold of the 14th-century castle. The contemporary interior design is decorated with warm shades and soft fabrics that perfectly complement the timeless stone.

We made our way out onto the terrace, and the sight was just wonderful. On one side is the castle with its medieval tower and adjoining church, and on the other, there is a stunning view over the valley that stretches out before you. The place is infused with such calm and beauty that you immediately feel a certain ease and delight, and time seems to stand still. While I was tempted to take a few minutes to relax on one of the white benches beside the swimming pool, my prince asked to see the bedroom.

We had decided on one of the hotel’s Garden Rooms, which are housed in a new wing built into the castle’s old defensive wall in the lower part of the large gardens. We were delighted with the contemporary style, warm oak floors and traditional Spanish touches that go perfectly with the castle surroundings. And what surroundings: we could admire them for hours on end from our very own private balcony. With an estate covering about 30 acres, the luscious greenery of olive and ancient cedar trees envelops the hotel and makes it the perfect retreat.

We decided to make our way back up to the castle for a peaceful family afternoon by the swimming pool. As I lay on the comfortable lounger with my book and a refreshing fruit juice, watching my prince and little princess playing in the water, I knew this was going to be a true fairy-tale getaway.

As the evening arrived, we enjoyed a complimentary glass of Cava on the hotel terrace before making our way to the restaurant, Drac. There, French chef Romain Valicon takes you on a journey around the Mediterranean using local products and fruit and vegetables that are grown in the hotel gardens. Housed in a contemporary glass-walled structure adjoining the ancient castle, the setting is just as magnificent as the food. I have to recommend the Soufflé Grand Marnier Napoleon, which was a beautiful end to the gourmet experience.

Deliciously content after our dinner, we made our way back through the gardens, magical in the evening light, to our bedroom, for a VeryChic night in this Spanish castle.