Published on : Thursday, July 31, 2014
Craggy coastlines, placid rivers, glittering beaches – whatever your preferred take on the aquatic, you are likely to find a Leading Hotel with just the right view to set the mood for late summer leisure.
Nestled in a small peninsula between two beaches along the Costa Brava, amidst lemon, magnolia, olive and ancient pine trees, the Hostal de la Gavina has played host to legions of luminaries since opening in 1932, including members of the Spanish royal family.
Guests are drawn by the spectacular beauty of the surrounding rocky coastline and unspoiled seashore. Nearby Figueres was the summer haunt of the Surrealists and has a museum devoted to its most famous native son, Salvador Dalí. The hotel’s interiors are also artful, furnished with exquisite antiques, Flemish tapestries, Murano crystal lamps and Romanesque carvings, and every guest room and suite has a unique decor.
The restaurant’s seafood comes straight from local fishing boats, and the produce is also grown nearby. Leading Special rates start at EUR 220 per night, single or double; and include buffet breakfast, access to the spa, VAT and service charge. Two-night minimum stay required through August.
Set on the island of Tenerife off the northwest coast of Africa, Gran Hotel Bahía Del Duque Resort resembles a fairy-tale village by the sea, complete with pastel hued buildings inspired by the island’s late 19th-century architecture, and fifteen acres of subtropical gardens. Children find the resort especially enchanting, as it offers numerous programs to keep them entertained: besides the kids clubs, there’s also one geared to teenagers.
Grown-ups can take advantage of three freshwater and two saltwater pools, as well as a host of water sports, such as windsurfing, hang gliding and scuba diving. Tennis and paddle courts are available for active types, while those in need of pampering can repair to the contemporary spa, with its open-air thalassotherapy circuit. Rates from EUR 362 per night, single; and EUR 393 per night, double; include daily buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi access, and entrance to the spa area. Tax is additional.
Situated on the southern coast of Spain along Marbella’s Golden Mile, Puente Romano Beach Resort Marbella is named after the ancient Roman bridge at the center of its lush sub- tropical gardens. Built in the style of an Andalusian village, the resort was opened in 1979 and has been a fashionable getaway ever since, with all the spacious rooms and suites benefitting from large private terraces.
Directly on the beach overlooking the Mediterranean, this sporting paradise offers three swimming pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and world famous tennis club. For gourmets bent on relaxation, two of the resort’s eight restaurants are set on the beach, and one has received two Michelin stars. Puente Romano guests can also access the Marbella Club Golf Resort, the Dave Thomas- designed championship course and El Higueral, one of the most scenic courses on the coast. Breakfast inclusive rates start at EUR 230 per night, single or double, including VAT.
Among most glamorous hotels on the Iberian Peninsula, the Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa – currently celebrating its 60th anniversary – was a pioneer of ‘barefoot luxury’ when opened in the 1950s by Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe, who wanted to share Marbella’s unique climate and relaxed way of life with fellow members of the international set.
Traditional Andalusian architecture combines with the immaculately tended mature gardens to create an utterly unspoiled refuge that has seduced visiting royalty, actors, musicians, sporting personalities, heads of state and high living aristocrats. In recent years the Marbella Club has acquired a modern thalasso spa, a Dave Thomas designed golf course, an equestrian center and a world-class shopping gallery. Poised at the edge of the Mediterranean, its charm and character put the Marbella Club in a league of its own. Rates start at EUR 700 per night, single or double, and include one green fee per person, per day; Wi-Fi access; tax and service.
A unique resort with an abundance of water features on Portugal’s pristine Algarve coast, Hotel Quinta do Lago is a haven for nature and golf enthusiasts. Set amidst 2,000 acres of pine forests, saltwater lakes, lagoons and amazing golf courses, the resort also offers scenic bird-watching paths and nature trails, creating the perfect combination between nature and pleasure.
Suites and rooms feature charming décor as well as private terraces overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the gardens or the Ria Formosa nature reserve. The Algarve is famous for year-round sunshine and a vibrant coastal scene and a short, pleasant walk takes guests to the hotel’s private stretch of beach, stocked with umbrellas and loungers. Breakfast inclusive rates start from EUR 425 per night, single; and EUR 455 per night, double; and include full buffet breakfast, tax and service.
Located within the impressive walls of the 16th-century citadel of Cascais, Pousada Cascais – Citadela Historic Hotel is a classified national monument, with views out over the harbor. Once the summer residence of the Portuguese royal family, the recently restored buildings now house an extraordinary hotel, embodying the balance between contemporary architecture and historic heritage.
The hotel’s renowned hospitality provides uniquely warm experiences to its guests. Set right above the village’s marina, among palm trees and charming plazas, the elegantly decorated suites and bedrooms offer the perfect base of comfort and relaxation, from which to explore the vast array of cultural, sports and touristic attractions of Cascais. Breakfast inclusive rates start at EUR 265 per night, single, and EUR 280 per night, double; and include buffet breakfast in the restaurant; access to the swimming pool and fitness center; Wi-Fi; tax and service.
Pousada do Porto Freixo Palace Hotel is a unique concept incorporating two historic buildings – an 18th-century baroque palace and a 19th-century factory. Totally restored and refurbished, it combines the essence of history and tradition with 21st- century flair and sensibilities. Set on the outskirts of Porto, it is surrounded by Versailles-style gardens, with terraces offering splendid views of the Douro River. The extensive lobby and lounge areas are luxurious in design and appointed with marble and stone flooring, period furniture and antiques. Spacious guest accommodations, some overlooking the river, offer contemporary elegance, comfort and technology, while respecting the heritage of the original structures. Breakfast inclusive rates from EUR 190 per night, single; and EUR 200 per night, double; include buffet breakfast at the restaurant; use of the health club and outdoor pool; morning shuttle to town with afternoon return; Wi-Fi; tax and service.
Poised on the seafront in the stylish town of Cascais, Grande Real Villa Italia is built on the former site of the royal residence of Humberto II, the last king of Italy. The rugged Estoril Coast and fairy-tale hills and castles of Sintra are all close by, as is the buzzing capital Lisbon, but for many guests the main attraction is the destination Real SPA Marine. The 1,000-square-meter complex boasts a heated treatment pool, Thalassotherapy, Vichy showers, chronotherm, body treatments and a state-of-the- art gym. The emphasis on health and well-being extends to the two restaurants, which offer customized diet and health programs. Breakfast inclusive rates from EUR 210 per night, single; and EUR 220 per night, double; include buffet breakfast; high-speed and wireless Internet; and access to the gym.
Source:- The Leading Hotels
Tags: The Leading Hotels
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