Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria

Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria Wellness & Spa attracts tourists with its solid wellness offerings, stunning views, and laid-back ambience. The hotel occupies an old three-story building dating back to 1906, and poet Rainier Maria Rilke purportedly lived in the building for a few months back in 1913. The property was completely renovated in 2012, and the result is a mix of classic interior and exterior architecture with modern decor elements. The exterior has modern windows and shutters but retains an old-fashioned molded entryway, while inside, the lobby features modern light-wood flooring and sectional sofas, but retains a few older features, such as fireplaces and high arches. The lounge area's chic patterned wallpaper, ornate black chandelier, and pincushion sofas add to the modern-meets-classic feel. The outdoor terrace is less elegant, but equally striking thanks to palm trees and breathtaking vistas over the valley.

Hotel Catalonia Reina Victoria Wellness & Spa is located in Ronda, a small city just inland from the Costa del Sol that's characterized by beautiful old bridges and narrow cobblestone roads. The hotel itself is located in a quiet residential area, but the primary tourist sites are about a 10-minute walk away, as are plenty of bars, fast-food restaurants, supermarkets, and clothing shops. It's a one-hour drive inland from San Pedro de Alcantara, while getting to Malaga takes around an hour and a half by car.

The Catalonia Reina Victoria offers a variety of air-conditioned rooms and suites, ranging from 17-square-meter (56-square-foot) Standard Rooms clear up to sprawling Junior Suites Deluxe, which are twice the size of their Standard counterparts and come with separate living rooms with TVs plus a welcome box of chocolate. All have a similarly modern decor scheme, complete with light-wood floors, a mix of light-wood and white furniture, patterned wallpaper, and bedding and upholstery in neutral shades of muted gray and magenta. Standard amenities include desks, safes, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, plus some rooms add terraces with patio furniture and lovely countryside views. Bathrooms are particularly sleek, with vessel sinks on large white counters and mosaic-tiled walk-in rainfall showers. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided, and upgraded rooms have bathrobes.

The hotel has an excellent array of amenities -- particularly for a smallish property -- many of which are geared toward health and wellness. Acegeria Spa by Catalonia is a standout and offers a variety of treatments along with a Turkish bath and a hydromassage pool. Note that while guests can access the facilities without booking a treatment, they will be charged a nominal fee. A large garden area has an outdoor swimming pool, but it's only open in the spring and summer months. The fitness center is equipped with both cardio machines and a good selection of weight-training equipment, including a LifeFitness cross-training machine and a rack of free weights. 

The on-site restaurant, Azahar, offers an extensive breakfast buffet with lots of continental offerings plus a few Catalan specialties. Azahar also serves regional and international cuisine at lunch and dinner. Other features include multiple meeting rooms for up to 250 people and free hotel-wide Wi-Fi. On-site parking is available for a fee.