by Barcelona, Madrid, Seville: any European traveler with a taste for Spain is likely familiar with its three most popular cities. Cádiz, on the other hand, has managed to fly mostly under the radar, despite being one of the oldest cities in Europe.
An ancient port in the southwest shaped like a pericón – the ubiquitous fan you’ll need to beat the Mediterranean heat – it’s a more relaxed and authentic taste of Spain than the big three, and has a food and drink culture from encounter.
It’s surrounded by some truly gorgeous stretches of the Atlantic, something Gran Meliá Sancti Petri takes advantage of, a hotel that’s a 30-minute drive from the historic center of Cádiz. Presiding over its own corner of the Coast of Light, this tranquil five-star resort is the perfect place to combine exploration of Spain’s best kept secret with serious relaxation by the sea – the perfect combination for a week’s holiday.
Where is it?
About 30 minutes up the coast from Cadiz, the hotel is nestled on a quiet stretch of golf courses and high-end resorts. La Barrosa beach is accessed via a walkway at the back of the Gran Meliá and is as beautiful as any Spanish coast. Two charismatic villages, Vejer de la Frontera and Chiclana de La Frontera, are nearby and worth exploring, while Jerez airport is less than an hour away.
Style
There’s a stately quality to the Gran Meliá, from the extravagant and spacious entrance hall to the huge internal courtyard, decorated with ornate fountains, olive trees and gardens home to wild birds.
The pool area feels equally luxe, with small mazes of lounge chairs decreasing the impact of peak periods.
The hotel’s decor has a rustic, almost shabby Moorish accent that’s charming in contrast to the manicured landscaping.
The bar and dining room can feel a little too exposed for an intimate meal, but it’s a price well worth paying for the Gran Meliá’s overall sense of grandeur and grandeur.
Structures
The Gran Meliá has everything you would expect from a five-star hotel: a 24-hour gym, a quality spa with sauna and Turkish bath, billiards and a children’s playroom. There’s no on-site golf course, but you do get discounted access to five nearby courses. Its biggest selling point is the huge pool, which manages to be family-friendly without giving up its luxe feel.
Food beverage
A choice of five restaurants means there’s no need, strictly speaking, to go exploring Cadiz’s sherry and Iberian bars (although, of course, we suggest you do). El Patio serves a slightly chaotic but good quality breakfast, while Aqua is a cut above what you’d expect from a poolside eatery.
Bar Don Fernando uses the hotel’s large communal patio with live music under the stars. But the highlight is the Michelin-starred Alevantes, where a huge, clever menu of seafood twists on Spanish classics is cooked over an open fire.
Which room?
There are 227 rooms in total, each decorated in a pleasant but unsurprising palette of terra-cotta and white. We stayed in a standard room which had an extremely comfortable bed, spacious living area, and balcony overlooking the courtyard.
The hotel is ideal for couples, young and small families and people looking to explore an often overlooked area of Spain in luxury.
Price
Rooms start at £377 a night; melia. com
