Hotel Mas Lazuli ★★★★

There are some places that you just want to keep for yourself. Those private, poetic places that linger in your thoughts for a long time after you leave. This is how I felt about my time at Mas Lazuli. I still remember wandering about the former convent, which is decorated in a refined and peaceful style, as well as the gardens, scattered with cypress trees and palms. I also fondly remember my walks in the inland region of the Costa Brava, with the Pyrenees for backdrop. It is a place where everything fades away and loses importance, except the desire to enjoy the present.

That rare ambience is rooted in the hotel's rural setting and is cemented by its design. The former convent’s refurbishment showcases the craftsmanship of numerous artisans, such as the sculpted walkways by artist Josep Cerdà and the superb interior design. White and beige tones accented by artworks and designer lighting set the mood in the various living spaces and bedrooms. This hotel, opened in 2014, commits to a chic modernity that perfectly matches the site’s philosophy.

Throughout the hotel’s 9 bedrooms and 7 suites, the only theme is elegance. Some of them boast exposed beams and ceramic flooring, others have an oval-shaped freestanding bathtub, or a furnished terrace. But all have in common the contemporary chic that is characteristic of the hotel. Sometimes just a detail is enough to be enchanted by a place. For me, it was the view of the olive groves and vineyards from my bedroom window. It took me back to my childhood and the immense joy I would feel at the beginning of each new day of a holiday.

For the trip's grand finale, food takes pride of place at Mas Lazuli. Creative food made using fresh produce from the hotel’s vegetable garden is served. Here, it’s all about a philosophy of living and eating well, which is cultivated at every meal.

And that philosophy begins at breakfast, which is taken on the terrace in front of a sublime farmland view. Oh, the famous Catalonian pa amb tomàquet! That was my little morning treat: a sprinkle of olive oil on a generous slice of toast, eaten with delicious cheeses and cold meats. Another detail, you might say. But the taste of toasted bread and tomato with olive oil has carved out a special place in my gustatory memory, right alongside the olive oil and wine made at Mas Lazuli. Simple, magic, unforgettable.