A Review of Finca Victoria, Spain | Hotels Above Par

"Perched on the cliffs above Sa Riera beach in Begur, this Design Hotels property reimagines a 1960s estate and artists’ hideaway that once hosted Dalí and his contemporaries, restored by Barcelona-based GCA Architects to marry Catalan farmhouse tradition with contemporary Mediterranean design. The 38 rooms (including 10 suites) feel sparse and luminous—ecru linen curtains, cream-colored duvets, white ceramic bathrooms with rainfall showers, and maritime-themed art—while standout accommodations like Suite El Torreón, set in the original three-story watchtower, and the aptly named Pool Suite with its private plunge pool, impress. Throughout, whitewashed stucco walls, original wood ceilings and banisters, Toba Catalana ceramic floors, and vintage wood furnishings channel the Costa Brava’s easy elegance. Common spaces invite lingering, especially the Listening Room, where guests spin vinyls while gazing through a picture window at the Mediterranean, and the terracotta patio and pool, where attentive servers are quick-handed with another drink or extra towel. Beach lovers can decamp to a private corner of Sa Riera, and chef Jordi Vilà of Michelin-starred Alkimia helms the on-site restaurant, Al Kostat del Mar; mornings bring a generous courtyard breakfast of Catalan cured meats and cheeses, local yogurt with fruit and granola, homemade baked goods and cakes, and eggs of any style à la carte. This 5-star retreat offers a pool, spa, gym, restaurant, and beach access, with rates starting around $300 per night—and if the steep hill into town feels daunting, there’s free transport from the hotel." - Catherine Tansey