Almadraba Park Hotel

The Almadraba Park Hotel, circa 1971, has a pronounced retro appearance, from its boxy, pale-yellow masonry facade to its spare interiors with many original furnishings. The hotel often draws generations of European couples and families, but guests say that even when fully booked, it doesn't feel crowded. Its dramatic, cliffside perch overlooking the Bay of Roses is showcased in several locations. There's a casual dining room with simple tables and chairs, a chalkboard menu, and a cafeteria-style and formal dining room with white tablecloths and a shiny marble floor, both with sea views. The stark swimming pool has a bar for drinks poolside or on a grass terrace with black woven tables and chairs and a stunning sea and garden view. Inside, the hotel has some lovely touches: paintings by Salvador Dali, a cool, minimalist lobby with honey-wood trim, and slatted-wood tables and cushioned chairs, along with lamp-lit niches where guests can read the newspapers placed here. There may be nicks on some of the lobby furniture, and the concrete surrounding the tennis court has started to crumble. Guests report that change and upgrades come slowly at the Almadraba, and the regular guests tend to like this rhythm. Dining, particularly in the evening, with families and couples establishing or celebrating new or old traditions, is especially popular here. 

The Almadraba is secluded in its clifftop location overlooking the Bay of Roses on the Costa Brava -- it's about a 20-minute drive from the town center with its shops and restaurants, and a car is necessary for getting around. It's a five- to 10-minute climb down a steep staircase to get from the pool to the beach. The castle and fortification Castell de la Trinitat is a six-minute drive away. The Citadel of Roses, a historic fortification, is a 12-minute drive away. The L'Emporda natural area is about a 40-minute car trip, as is the monastery of San Pere de Rodes and the Dali Theater and Museum in Figures. Girona, known for its medieval architecture and Roman ruins, is a 55-minute drive from the hotel, as is Montgri Massif. Girona-Costa Brava Airport is an hour's drive, and Barcelona-El Prat Airport is a little more than two hours away.

All 60 rooms and six suites at the Almadraba continue the somewhat '70s look of the rest of the hotel, with furniture and trim in honey-colored wood. High ceilings, white walls, and terra-cotta floors make the rooms airy but plain, with no artwork to speak of. Beds have long, low headboards and striped bed spreads -- some guests find the mattresses hard. Mid-century style armchairs sport beige or navy cushions, and the tall armoires have simple loop handles. All rooms have terraces or balconies with views of either the mountains or the sea. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. There are also radios and safes but no coffee- or tea-making facilities. Bathrooms have Corian finishes and bidets, and some have double sinks. Wall-mounted hairdryers are the old-fashioned, hose kind. Tub/shower combos have glass doors. Rituals toiletries are provided. Overall, rooms are spacious (ranging from almost 194 square feet to 538 square feet). While the hotel is generally quiet, the ground-floor rooms, which are ADA compliant, pick up occasional noise. 

As with the decor, the resort-style amenities at the Almadraba reflect a throwback vibe. There's no fitness center, but there's a large pool and whirlpool, a tennis court, a squash court, and a table for ping-pong. The one poolside restaurant is primarily a bar, offering light fare, such as sandwiches. The hotel's casual restaurant has indoor and terrace seating, and a menu that includes grilled items such as burgers and snacks. Breakfast, including meat, cheese, and fresh fruit, is served here. In the formal dining room, the menu focuses on regional recipes and ingredients. The formal dining room includes a cheese and dessert cart. Guests can book full- or half-board options -- kids' menus are available -- or choose to dine out during their stay. A small business center with computers, fax, and copy machines is on-site, along with some meeting rooms. The hotel provides cribs, cots, and high chairs. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are available. Parking is available for a fee.