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Rigat Park Hotel, Lloret de Mar. Perfect Location and Beautiful Interiors

It's hard to believe Lloret de Mar, one of the most popular beach resorts on the Costa Brava, was a quiet fishing village in another life. Bold neon lights, thumping music, adult only bars, jet skis, fast food joints that stay open past 3AM, free flowing cava and daiquiris and trilingual signs are all the rage. And it reminded us quite a bit of the urbanisations along Costa Blanca, it's just that in Lloret de Mar everything seems bigger and bolder, more like Benidorm.

That being said, Lloret de Mar also has a cultural side. And some of the best fish and seafood dishes I've had in Spain.

We were recently in Lloret de Mar for the TBEX travel blogger's conference, and while there we stayed at Rigat Park Hotel. Now it's not like I want to brag about it (maybe just a little bit), but this hotel, away from the madding crowds and with gorgeous Mediterranean vistas, is one of the best 5-star luxury resorts in town.

This place has personality! It was obvious right from the moment we stepped inside the perfectly manicured surrounding garden. The path to the hotel's entrance is first flanked by iron tree sculptures and continues with lush green vegetation all the way up. The hotel is situated on a small hill, and this makes the views even better.

The lobby is lavishly decorated to say the least and Rigat Park has a classy feel. The extravagant use of wood and touch-inviting fabrics is perfectly combined with colourful cushions, blood red tiled floors, Tiffany lamps, beautiful sculptures, vintage objects, furniture and paintings. The hotel is an oasis of peace, and utterly romantic.

After the brief check in, we take the elevator and inside discover a vintage phone, beautifully restored, yet it makes us joke that in case of emergency we might need help using it to start with.

We walk vaulted hallways to our room, secretly hoping it will be facing the pool. No such luck, but it turns out we love the sea view from our balcony even more. Plus it gets bonus points since the room is blanketed in the early summer sunlight. Oh, and the bed is huge!

OK, so the WiFi in the room was a bit slow, and sadly, we were so busy with the conference, that we didn't get to enjoy neither the spa nor the cava welcome vouchers by the beach. However, we fully enjoyed going to bed and waking up every morning at the soothing music of the waves. This is the best memory I took with me. It's a peerless experience.

Breakfast at Rigat Park Hotel is free. What a magnificent idea! Plus it is served in the most elegant of settings, with golden ceilings, comfortable chairs and nicely dressed tables.

The breakfast spread if varied, and as local as it gets. We treat ourselves with cured ham and cheese, freshly baked bread still warm in its basket, heavenly delicious pastries and of course, champagne!

Rigat Park Hotel is only a short walk away from Santa Clotilde Gardens, a must visit place in Lloret de Mar. From our room we could actually spot the gardens on top of the nearby hill, but the Italian Renaissance landscape with pathways ending in the sea is a must-explore at a leisurely pace.

A 'hidden' door leads straight to the sea, but to be honest, who would want to leave the swimming pool area with its beautifully maintained vegetation, palm trees and flowers in bloom for the gritty beach? Plus the hotel's gardens are just perfect to play hide and seek with your partner and to enjoy a romantic cocktail on one of the lazy terraces. Wouldn't you love to spend the summer holidays here?

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