Calafell Spain

Not a far drive from Barcelona, Calafell is a quaint Spanish village with a beautiful beach.  The Le Meridien Ra is the place to stay with the Mediterranean Sea as the backdrop for the this modern luxury hotel.  The interesting thing about this hotel is the history.  The building was opened over 80 years ago as the home of San Juan de Dios Sanatorium.  Apparently the location was chosen for the sanatorium because of two factors.  The first being sunlight.  Sunlight was considered to be an important factor in the treatment of tuberculous and the second was the discovery of an outcrop of seaweed from the Laminaria Digitata family, only 400 metres from the site of the hotel.  This particular seaweed raises the iodine content of the water above the average in the Mediterranean which has slimming properties and is also known for its firming effect on the skin.  Fast forward 80 years, the sanatorium is no longer, but the luxury hotel has settled in quite nicely.  The staff is very friendly and gracious, greeting us with glasses of champagne and admiring our level of Spanish fluency.

Although Calafell is not a foodie town or wine town per se, there is a killer tennis club.  The Club Nautic-Tennis Calafell greeted us to play on their clay courts for a 40 EUR fee.  The courts were meticulously cared for and the view of the Mediterranean from the court was distracting, often keeping me at love in the first few games.  This club offers locker room facilities and a bar for those much desired ice cold cervezas after your heated match.

A move to Barcelona one day is imminent and Calafell will be the welcomed escape from the bustling city life.