Hotel Restaurante Villa Salvador Review

The boutique sixteen-room hotel Villa Salvador sits on the edge of Cadaques, often cited as Catalonia’s prettiest coastal village. Set in landscaped Mediterranean gardens shaded by pine trees, the villa is just minutes from two quiet sandy bays. An ideal base for visiting the nearby Dalí’s house museum and exploring the spectacular Cap de Creus Natural Park peninsula.

Wake to church bells drifting across pine-scented gardens where the saltwater pool reflects morning light. Before breakfast, walk around this coastal peninsula overlooking the white-washed village of Cadaqués, discovering little bays where fishing boats rest on the shores. This is the beauty of staying at Villa Salvador, a contemporary hotel built with local stone and evocative of a private villa. Some rooms offer sea views while the gardens offer a place to sunbathe, unwind with a good book or sip a spritz.

Location

The journey to Cadaques, made famous by the surrealist painter who called this coast home for thirty years, living with his beloved Gala in nearby Port Lligat, is along winding roads that climb for fifty minutes from Figueres or ninety minutes from Girona airport.

Rooms & Suites
Yet arriving at Villa Salvador is the reward. Sixteen rooms occupy different levels of the main building; each is designed with natural stone walls and neutral furnishings that embrace refreshing simplicity. Superior rooms frame garden outlooks whilst those with balconies catch direct glimpses of the bay. The Suite Salvador commands forty-two square metres, including separate seating areas and private terraces where Marshall speakers provide soundtracks for sunset drinks. All rooms include modern conveniences that enhance the stay, like an espresso coffee machine for morning rituals, mini-fridges stocked with complimentary mineral water, and satellite television for quieter evenings. Bathrobes and slippers await in wardrobes, whilst safes secure valuables during coastal explorations. Superior rooms measure twenty-four square metres, providing comfortable space for two guests, whilst the Junior Suite at thirty square metres accommodates an additional guest. Each accommodation features shower facilities, quality toiletries, and complimentary WiFi throughout.

Dining

Restaurant Salvador forms the social heart of the property, where guests enjoy breakfast, leisurely lunches and dining under stars. The terrace flows directly into gardens where wooden sun loungers with green and white striped cushions follow the sun’s daily path. Floor-to-ceiling windows erase boundaries between indoor and outdoor dining, crucial when Mediterranean weather turns unpredictable.

The kitchen works with local suppliers, featuring fish landed at nearby ports and vegetables grown in fertile inland plains. Evening meals might include Suquet de Peix, the traditional fish and seafood stew that has become a gastronomic staple on this foodie coast, where restaurants like nearby Compartir, staffed by El Bulli alumni, draw international attention. The wine list emphasises Catalan regions, with suites receiving welcome bottles of Mas Lazuli representing local viticulture.

Wellness

The wellness area offers massage treatments ranging from straightforward relaxation techniques to floating Watsu sessions performed in water. The treatment room accommodates couples and includes a jacuzzi.

Experiences

Villa Salvador’s position works ideally for village attractions and wider regional discoveries. The Dalí House Museum in Port Lligat lies within easy reach, though advance booking proves essential during peak months.

Electric Ami Buggies offer sustainable exploration of coastal trails and narrow lanes.

Cap de Creus Natural Park begins at Cadaqués’ eastern edge, protecting granite landscapes that inspired both Salvador Dalí and writer Josep Pla. Here one finds the Sant Pere de Rodes monastery, where Romanesque architecture frames views across the Mediterranean towards France.

Hiking trails vary from gentle coastal walks to challenging routes through Mediterranean scrubland of tree heather, aromatic rosemary and thyme, leading to the lighthouse at Cap de Creus, mainland Spain’s easternmost point.

Cadaques is a delight when seen from the water, and I can recommend Cadaques Blue Experience. A charming couple skipper a high-performance boat, offering privileged access to secluded coves and remarkable sea caves only reachable by sea, with opportunities for snorkelling and sunbathing.

Information

To help plan your stay in Cadaques, visit the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees visitor website for a wealth of inspiration and practical information.