Arenas Resort Giverola

The Giverola sprawls over two sides of a rugged mountain area outside of Tossa de Mar. The lobby, all rooms, one of the restaurants, the mini-mart, and the spa are located on the south side of the mountain, while the sports facilities, two other restaurants, and the outdoor pools overlook the beach on the north side. There are long walks (and sometimes steps) between the rooms and some common areas, but both sides of the mountain are connected by a funicular running through thick Mediterranean forests. This layout allows for a quieter atmosphere around the rooms, as most guests spend all day by the pool, at the beach, or taking part in the dozens of sports activities and competitions offered daily on-site. 

Interiors are simple and basic throughout, with no-frills traditional (and dated) wooden furniture both in rooms and common spaces, and cute exposed-stone accent walls. The lobby is small but light, with a curved front desk made of stone and huge windows overlooking a pleasant patio with seating and palm trees. White couches with wood details and red pillows add some style, but the space is generic overall. While decor in all three restaurants is nothing to write home about either, the two closest to the beach feature wonderful views of Giverola Cove, as does the large pool deck and its adjacent lawns. 

The hotel is located amid Mediterranean pine forests in an isolated area outside Tossa de Mar. There is a campground as well a few private homes nearby, but little else can be found within walking distance. The property abuts beautiful Cala Giverola, a small, sandy cove known for its clear waters and good snorkeling. Cala Pola, located a 15-minute walk away, is also a lovely spot for a quiet day in the sun. There aren’t any restaurants, bars, or shops in the immediate vicinity of the resort, but Tossa de Mar -- home to a charming 14th-century medieval neighborhood -- and several dining and drinking options are within a 10-minute drive away. The nearest airport is in Girona, located about a 45-minute drive from the resort, but most airlines fly into Barcelona, about an hour and a half away. Airport transfers and on-site parking are available for a daily fee. 

The hotel has 211 studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, each with a spacious balcony with plastic furniture and a drying rack. Most have serene mountain views, but a few have lovely vistas of the cove and the sea. Decor is basic and dated in all units, with simple wooden furniture, terra-cotta floors, and white walls adorned only with a V-shaped lamps. The combination of white surfaces, dark upholstered couches, and bright accent pillows makes for a fresh feel, but the furniture is in need of an update. All units have small living areas with two sofas (which can be used as beds for children); entry-level studios can fit three adults, or two adults and two children, while the largest units can fit six people (up to five adults). Every room has a basic kitchenette equipped with two hot plates, a sink, a microwave, and a mini-fridge.

Other in-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, safes, and ceiling fans, but rooms lack Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. Bathrooms are clean but basic and dated, with small showers featuring plastic curtains, wall-mounted soap dispensers, and white-and-burgundy tiling. Note that due to the size of the resort, some units may be a 10-minute walk from some common areas. 

The hotel offers direct (but not private) access to Giverola Cove, a lovely stretch of sand with good snorkeling and water sports. There are lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a small bar right on the sand, plus an a la carte Mediterranean restaurant and a self-service fast food joint adjacent to the beach. There is an additional restaurant in the main building, offering a varied spread for breakfast and dinner. Food at the Giverola generally gets good reviews, though some guests consider the beach restaurant a little overpriced. 

The main pool deck has a large family pool and two kids' pools, the smaller of which feature a big waterslide. The area lined with lounge chairs and umbrellas, and there are plenty more spots for sunning on an adjacent grass lawn. Each apartment is assigned two lounge chairs on arrival, so there is no need to wake up early to claim poolside seats. There's also an indoor pool in the spa, along with three whirlpools, a massage cabin, and a fitness room.  

One of the hotel’s biggest draws is its extensive entertainment program, complete with dozens of daily group sports activities and competitions. Beach volleyball, soccer, tennis, mini-golf, bocce ball and many more activities available on-site, and kids of all ages are kept busy with an array of supervised activities. However, some of the sports facilities cost extra, which may make some guests feel nickel-and-dimed. The hotel also features a mini-mart, guest laundry facilities, and event space with audiovisual equipment. Wi-Fi is free, but it's only available in some common spaces near the reception area.