La Costa Beach & Golf Resort ★★★★

The Costa Brava holds an all-consuming, ever-present appeal for me. The more I go there, the more I wish to go back. Whether for a romantic, secluded break in the wild countryside or, as in this instance, an action-packed family holiday by the beach, there is something special about a getaway in one of Europe’s most spectacular coastal regions, so packed with culture, gastronomy and scenery, all brought to life by the Spanish weather and lifestyle. The rugged cliffs, white sand and glistening waters of the beaches are straight off a postcard and are perfect for the kids. Meanwhile, for us parents, there is also the gastronomy, wine, culture and (for me!) golf courses. Whatever it is that resonates with you most, what is certain is that La Costa Beach & Golf Resort will provide it for you, and exceed your wildest expectations.

The location is to die for – the golf course has been listed as one of the best in Spain, the beach is as idyllic as you would expect, the wild scenery of hills rising in the distance is spectacular, and the fascinating nearby medieval towns are crammed with culture and ancient charm. Walking the narrow, cobbled streets of Pals, still full of paella and sangria as I admired the sunny courtyards, pretty archways and beautiful architecture, I decided that a week sleeping under the stars would be a reasonable price to pay for this lifestyle. Yet the hotel is, in fact, the icing on the cake, a luxurious, large complex centred around the magnificent tropical swimming pool. To enter the resort is to enter into a world of peace, comfort and pleasure, a world created to ensure that every family has their dream holidays here.

Our suite was sublime, its elegant wood panelling and simple yet sophisticated design perfectly complementing the grandeur of the hotel lobby. With a comfortable bedroom, the layout was excellent – almost as perfect as the beach for that afternoon siesta. In the eyes of the little ones, the highlight of our ground floor suite was the terrace, or should I say what lay just beyond… The tropical swimming pool is enormous, a paradise for splashing children and basking adults alike. Overlooked by sun loungers sheltering under straw parasols and a beach hut bar offering exotic cocktails, you could almost feel like you are on the Caribbean coast.

One thing that every day had in common, however, was that it would inevitably end with some fine dining. There are many superb restaurants in the surrounding area, but you need not leave the hotel complex to enjoy some varied and gorgeous cuisine. Whether it was the superb breakfast at Green’s to set us up for the day, a paella on the beach, a snack by the pool, or watching golfers step up to the tee while enjoying some fresh Mediterranean fare on the terrace of the Restaurant Golf de Pals, our stomachs were always extremely satisfied. And it was all washed down with plenty of cava and local Catalan wine, of course!

All I can say to La Costa Hotel Golf & Beach Resort is ‘muchas gracias’, and I’m sure we will be returning very soon.