Hotel Cap Roig on the Costa Brava

I’ve been up and down the Costa Brava more times than I can count, but one of my most memorable trips was staying at Hotel Cap Roig in Platja d’Aro. It was right after COVID, when hotels had just reopened with distancing in place. Prices were lower than usual, so we threw the kids and the dogs in the car and went for it. That trip gave me one of my favorite photos of my kids ever! (above) This was also one of those trips where they reached the age where my taking photos of them was met with eyerolls, so I have lots of photos of the scenery and the dogs, which is just as well;)

On the Camí de Ronda

The hotel itself is perched right on the Camí de Ronda, the coastal trail that runs between Palamós and Calella de Palafrugell. You can step out of the hotel, take the stairs down, and you’re on the path immediately. This section of the Camí is one of the most spectacular parts of the Costa Brava, with its mix of wooden stairs, rocky climbs, sandy beaches, hidden coves, and dramatic stone formations that stretch into the sea. Walking it really does feel like stepping into a postcard.

Kid-Friendly Platja d’Aro

We’d been to Platja d’Aro before, but only in a rented country house further inland. This time we discovered just how kid-friendly the town really is. Our kids loved the arcade and the old-school theme park in town — the kind with a giant slide, rollercoasters, and rides that never get old (I lost count after the 16th round). Platja d’Aro also has a lively main street with shops and places for kids to wander a bit on their own, plus a waterpark nearby that’s a huge hit for families in summer. That’s the trick when traveling with kids: mix in pure fun after the “mandatory hike,” and everyone’s happy.

Back at the hotel, the pool quickly became our hangout spot, with wide-open views of the Mediterranean. Even our older dog, Canela, seemed to be smiling out there. Families are well looked after too, with spacious family-style rooms, a small playground, an indoor play space, and yes, the hotel’s resident peacock wandering the grounds.

In summer, the area fills up quickly thanks to the Cap Roig Festival, a popular concert series that runs at the end of July and into August. If you’re planning a trip, check the lineup — or go off-season, when prices drop and the coast is quieter.

Hotel Cap Roig isn’t about luxury finishes — it’s about the unbeatable location, the views, and the joy of being there with family. That’s what made it unforgettable for me.