Alàbriga Hotel & Home Suites ★★★★★GL

As is often the case with Spanish seaside resorts, the Costa Brava was once anchored by its fishing economy, before being transformed by the development of tourism. It is a beautiful part of the Mediterranean in the very north of Spain, so its appeal didn’t go unnoticed by regular holidaymakers in the French Riviera, including the likes of Dalí, Miró and Picasso.

From the sea, you might mistake the Alàbriga Hotel & Home Suites for a luxury cruise-liner docked along the coast of Sant Feliu de Guíxols. Envisioned by Barcelona-based architect Aryanour Djalali, the building’s unique, yacht-like design feels, in its appropriation of design elements that typify ‘luxury’, like an acknowledgement of its own exuberance. It rests atop dramatic rock formations swathed in green, overlooking the glorious blue sea beneath it. The area feels exclusive compared to much of the development along the Costa Brava, and that’s because it is.

When you enter, you might have to pick your jaw up from the floor. The refined, moody interiors of the communal spaces scream ‘opulence’. A number of sea-facing suites are available for you to stay in, and none fail to impress with their exceptionally attentive styling, both modern and neoclassical. Stunning living rooms are adjoined with a large furnished terrace, a full kitchen-dining room, and two or three bathrooms depending on your choice. Like everywhere in the hotel, rooms are adorned with tasteful art.

During the day, take in the views of S’Agaro Bay from the beautiful infinity pool, enjoying a cocktail courtesy of the Sea Club. Come nightfall, the space transforms, with its high-class ambience and live musical performances. The hotel’s Terra Restaurant, headed by the award-winning Abraham Artigas, merges traditional Emporadà gastronomy with the fresh tastes of the Costa Brava, using local produce to take your taste buds across sea, garden and mountain. Indulge in premium spirits, or the global selection of coffee and tea, at the Lovee Bar, which also houses art exhibitions, before whiling away the night in the tranquil Galatea Room. Here, you can admire the fine abstract artwork whilst letting the combined sounds of the piano and the crackling fire lull you into deep relaxation.