Hotel Santa Marta

Although it is a little less than two miles southwest of Lloret, the pine-scented scene at Santa Marta is considerably quieter -- which is a relief to the outdoorsy, peace-seeking couples and families who come here. Both groups are drawn by the soothing setting and, of course, by the presence of a sandy beach that's not crammed with sunbathing bodies. The downside is that, save for the modern spa and tempting pool, the hotel itself is underwhelming. Its low-slung main building, erected in the 1950's, has a certain retro appeal; the common areas, though, just look dated. Big windows in the lounge, restaurant and bar provide stellar views, but the decor (picture-wood paneling, old-school floral fabrics, plus a palette of moss green and dusty rose) doesn't appeal to contemporary tastes.

It is tough to beat this hotel’s location because the lush 15-acre property sits on a hill that delivers magical Mediterranean views and extends right down to Santa Cristina Beach: a quiet cove lapped by calm water. The caveat is that there’s really nothing else within walking distance, unless you're prepared to make a 40-minute hike into Lloret rather than take a seven-minute drive. That buzzing seaside town has all the services vacationers could want, plus kid-friendly extras (like Gnomo Park and Water World) as well as loads of entertainment options for nightlife aficionados. Biking, hiking, horseback riding, golfing and other outdoor activities are also close at hand. If sightseeing is on the to-do list, popular Costa Bravan destinations -- including Girona (a medieval beauty) and Cadaqués (a frequent haunt of Picasso and Dali) -- are in day-tripping distance. Girona-Costa Brava Airport is a 35-minute drive north, while Barcelona-El Prat Airport is a 75-minute one southwest; you can reach central Barcelona itself in less than an hour.

• Seven-minute drive to Lloret de Mar
• Seven-minute drive to Santa Clotilde Gardens
• Nine-minute drive to Gnomo Park
• 10-minute drive to Water World
• 10-minute drive to Fenals Beach
• 35-minute drive to Girona-Costa Brava Airport
• 52-minute drive to Girona
• 55-minute drive to central Barcelona 
• 75-minute drive to Barcelona–El Prat Airport
• 98-minute drive to Cadaqués

Accommodations here are divided between the main building and a nearby annex. The former’s water-view rooms with big balconies appeal to couples, while the latter’s garden suites are ideal for families (cribs are free and in-room childcare can be arranged for a fee). Each includes air-conditioning, a minibar, a flat-screen satellite TV, and free (if somewhat unreliable) Wi-Fi. Upper-category digs add sitting or living areas; however, some amenities you would typically expect in a upper-middle-range place -- coffeemakers, irons, or free bottled water among them -- are missing. Contemporary style, unfortunately, is missing too. Bathrooms fare better: They’re outfitted with double sinks, bidets and either a walk-in shower or shower-tub combo, plus they come with hairdryers and handy magnifying mirrors. But the overall look remains bland and dated.

This hotel’s major draw is the sheltered stretch of sand below it: one which feels far removed from frenetic Lloret. Beyond the beach, guests can take advantage of a pretty water-view pool and adjacent pair of outdoor tennis courts. The property also features a thoroughly modern (and very attractive) spa complete with a salon, sauna, steam room, private treatment rooms and a well-equipped 24-hour fitness center. For guests combining work with pleasure, the hotel has a business center and five meeting rooms, too.

As for dining, Santa Marta’s main restaurant specializes in classic Catalan cuisine. The decor is admittedly old-school, but the views from it act as the perfect accompaniment to Chef Francisco Saez’s market-fresh meals. Anyone who prefers alfresco dining can retreat to the terrace or, in peak months, opt for an overpriced beachfront lunch buffet. Note that some room rates include breakfast; half-and full-board plans are also available. Other on-site amenities include two bars (one being a seasonal beachfront operation), a 24-hour front desk with a multilingual concierge, dry cleaning/laundry services, turndown service, round-the-clock room service, free outdoor parking, and free Wi-Fi throughout.