Hotel Vistabella

The Vistabella is located in the Alt Emporda region, one of the most beautiful parts of Catalonia. The seaside resort village of Rosas is not too far from the ports of Cadaquès and Port Lligat, a popular destination among fans of Dali. Girona airport is a 45 minute drive away whilst Barcelona airport is around an hour and a half down the motorway.

Small pets are accepted for an additional charge. The hotel is open from April to October. You might be interested to know that Salvador Dali was a close friend of the former owner of the Vistabella and even had his own suite at the hotel. Having been renamed the 'Dali Suite', it has been preserved more or less as it was - grandiose and eccentric, just like the 20th century genius himself.

Having been built in 1962 and constantly renovated and improved ever since, the Vistabella sees itself as something of a tribute to Catalonia and the Mediterranean. It is rather a simple building with fresh-looking dazzling white paintwork and a light tiled roof heated by the sun. Inside, however, it's a different story - simplicity takes the cake with harnessed luxury without the slightest hint of brashness. The grey marble reception area may be small but the welcome you'll receive is very pleasant and professional. A small staircase leads out to the superb terrace that could be straight out of a romantic film, including a fountain with rose petals at its centre, black wrought iron tables and chairs, and some unique views out to sea, all topped with a large white canvas to protect against the sun's rays. The icing on the cake, though, has to be the 'Oasis', the hotel's upper terrace reserved exclusively for adults, with two private jacuzzis and wooden massage tables where you can enjoy a variety of à la carte treatments outdoors (Seductive, Invigorating, or Anti-Cellulite). The hotel also boasts a spa, complete with a heated indoor pool, sauna, and hammam.

None of the 29 guest rooms at the Vistabella are alike, each has its own personality. You will have a choice when it comes to the category of accommodation you'd like though: Double with garden or sea view, Junior Suite, and Suite, so you can choose which one suits you best. The Standard guest rooms have a minimum surface area of 25m² and are tastefully decorated in a sophisticated Mediterranean style. Amenities include an LCD satellite television, a direct international telephone line, individual air-conditioning, a fan, a safe, a minibar, and a 6m² terrace furnished with comfortable chairs. The bathrooms, meanwhile, come with a bathtub, shower, and toilet, as well as bathrobes, a small selection of hospitality products, and a hair-dryer. The Suites also come with a Hi-Fi system and a DVD-player. Room service is available 24 hours a day of course.

Its one of the Vistabella's star attractions, whose restaurants are renowned throughout Catalonia, and even Spain and the south of France! The prestigious Michelin Guide certainly knew what it was doing when it awarded the hotel's restaurant, Els Brancs, a Michelin star. The cuisine served here is molecular and very trendy, a combination of traditional dishes, such as gazpacho (made with lobster but cooked in Campari), and a few rather surprising ingredients. You just have to see the 'gambas with a coral emulsion' and 'cheek of veal with star anise coulis' on the menu to get your mouth watering, whatever you end up going for! The Balco de Mar (the terrace restaurant overlooking the sea), meanwhile, is slightly more down to earth, its menus incorporating fresh Mediterranean produce. You will see how fresh the ingredients are when you see the lobsters and crayfish ambling about in the restaurant's aquarium! La Tapa, as its name suggests, serves a wide selection of tapas (including cheese, ham, and squid) and also offers sea views. Last but not least, the El Pirata grill is located literally at the water's edge, with the waves almost lapping at your feet as you eat. The setting here is truly superb and decidedly more relaxed, if you don't include the constant passage of speedboats and jet skis.

The beach here consists of little more than a small strip of sand lined with pine trees and rocks, but at least it's private. Remember, too, that plastic jelly shoes are essential if you don't want to rip your feet to shreds on the stones. What little sand there is is rather coarse but the water is beautifully calm and clear with an even slope into the sea. There are also water sports facilities close to the hotel.