Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel

This was our second stay at this wonderful hotel, and it was just as memorable as the first. This time, we had a room overlooking the park and the local arts centre — a truly picturesque setting. Every morning and evening, we were treated to the cheerful squawking of parrots, which added a lovely touch of nature to our stay. July brought mostly cloudy mornings, but by the afternoon, the skies would clear to a brilliant blue. On overcast days, we explored the nearby historic district — the architecture is stunning and the local cuisine a real treat. Once the sun came out, we made the most of the afternoons relaxing by the pool. The food here continues to impress. Both breakfast and dinner were absolutely delicious. A big shoutout to the team for introducing the half-board option — it’s thoughtfully designed to cater to all dietary needs. As a particularly fussy vegetarian, I was thrilled to find a variety of healthy, satisfying options. Gone are the days of the standard mushroom risotto — there’s even a dedicated vegan menu now. No buffet for your Evie h meal - instead high-quality, personally selected food brought to you! The service at both breakfast and dinner was impeccable, with staff consistently warm, attentive, and professional. We stayed for a full week and enjoyed every meal. A heartfelt thank you to Sonia and Estefania at reception — we can be quite particular, but every request we made was met with a smile and a genuine willingness to help. Their professionalism and warmth truly made our stay special. This hotel is perfect for those who appreciate refined luxury and love a bit of people-watching — there’s always something happening either within the hotel or just steps away. Will we return? Absolutely. In fact, each time we stay, it gets harder to leave.