Despite speaking Spanish for many years now (and loving all things to do with Spain) I was frankly amazed at myself that I’d never graced the sublime shores of the Costa Brava until this trip to the Gran Hotel Monterrey ***** for a post-summer getaway. One thing I definitely didn’t expect when I arrived was how lush and green the whole complex would be – palm trees gently swaying in the breeze by the inviting aquamarine pool made me let go of stress I didn’t even know I had.
The luminous Superior Room I’d booked featured a sleek, minimalist design that echoed throughout the rest of the hotel; clean lines in cool earth tones gave the room a look which oozed contemporary chic, complemented by serene views of the Mediterranean Sea stretching far into the distance. At the Gran Hotel Monterrey ***** they really understood that the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach, so with three restaurants on offer within the hotel (one of which, I hasten to add, serves up some seriously delicious award-winning gourmet food) you’re well and truly spoilt for choice.
If the stunning beaches just a hop, skip, and a jump (and a free shuttle from the hotel) weren’t already enough to guarantee my total and utter relaxation, the incredible spa was the icing on the cake. A wide range of spa treatments and rituals await to deliver your mind, body and soul into absolute tranquillity, leaving you feeling renewed and beautiful from the inside out. The Gran Hotel Monterrey ***** promises a perfect union of decadence and Catalonian rural charm – a must-visit destination for Costa Brava novices and experts alike.