Royal Hideaway Sancti Petri, Cádiz, Spain
The Royal Hideaway is situated on the La Barrosa beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It’s the perfect backdrop for a relaxing break and it’s easy to see why it’s rated one of the 10 best beaches in Spain by TripAdvisor users. Housing 195 rooms, five pools, four restaurants and the largest spa in Andulusia, the hotel has all the facilities you would expect of a five-star luxury getaway all presented in a way that feels much more like an intimate boutique hotel. If you are looking for a trip to relax, revive and focus on me-time then this is the place for you.
Ultimate wellbeing
The Royal Hideaway has a wellness theme running through all elements of your stay, so everything you need is at your fingertips and can be tailored to suit you…
Food
The hotel focuses on healthy cuisine, using quality, locally sourced ingredients. This can be seen right through the day, starting at the smoothie bar at breakfast, which lists the health benefits of each drink so you can choose the option that’s best for you, right through to the range of seafood dishes available in the four restaurants. Tuna is the local specialty so fans are in their element here. I can honestly say I have never tasted tuna like it. My favorite restaurant was the La Braseria as the stunning views across the beach at sunset added a sense of magic to the evening. There, I tried meals based on the Dr Perricone diet, which focuses on anti-inflammatory food to promote radiant skin and healthy weight loss. What’s not to love! With a focus on fish and green vegetables, each dish tasted so luxurious it was hard to believe they could also be so healthy and good for me. It certainly gave me some inspiration to take home.
Aside from all the healthy cuisine, guests can also book an appointment with the in-house nutritionist. I will admit I was a little apprehensive about this but I found her advice non-judgmental, helpful and inspirational. The appointment starts with her talking through your lifestyle and taking a number of measurements from which she tailors her advice to your individual needs.
Exercise
A wide variety of exercise classes run throughout the day so you can pick and choose the activities that appeal to you. I particularly enjoyed the Nordic walking along the beach. It was a great whole-body workout and gave me the opportunity to explore the surroundings. I even enjoyed the early morning spin class! With panoramic views across the beach, it was the perfect endorphin boost and vitamin D fix, all before breakfast. If cardio isn’t your thing, there is a range of Pilates and yoga classes that offer the perfect way to unwind.
Spa
My favourite part of the visit was a tip to the U-Spa (no surprise there). I had high expectations and wasn’t disappointed. I have heard good things about Dr Perricone and so was excited to give his facial a try – plus it had the unexpected bonus of a body massage as part of the treatment.
I have problem skin but came away with a glow that I didn’t realise my complexion was capable of. The hydro spa is also a must; guests progress through a circuit of pools, hydro-massage beds and jets, each aimed at different parts of the body. As you work your way round you can feel the tension melting away.
Trip notes
Rates at Royal Hideaway Sancti Petri start from €124 per room, based on two people sharing on a bed & breakfast basis. For further information or to book, visit hotelroyalhideawaysanctipetri.com
