Mas la Boella Boutique Hotel - spectacular Catalonia resort incorporates history, wine, nature, olive oil and modern amenities

Cookie & Keller
Dec 8, 2017
3 min read

Updated: Mar 15

Pool and patio view from our balcony at Hotel Mas La Boella — The view from our balcony at Hotel Mas La Boella: tranquil, at sunset, welcoming, quiet, serene and beautiful. The resort sports a noted restaurant and convention center, with an imposing 12th Century home as its centerpiece.

STORY BY CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

and courtesy Hotel Mas La Boella

Mas La Boella is in a privileged natural environment near the town of La Canonja, Tarragona, in the heart of the Costa Daurada. They offer an experience where the natural surroundings and a tranquil atmosphere guarantee true relaxation.

Dating back to the 12th century, the former farmhouse has been completely restored as a boutique hotel with 13 designer suites, the most modern facilities and high-quality cuisine, as well as all the comforts and conveniences needed to plan a unique event.

Museum like display showing mill tools from the 12 th century at Mas la Boella boutique hotel — The estate's thoughtful design incorporates elements of the 12th Century home and mill, honoring southern Spain's legacy of producing some of the world's finest olive oil.

ONLY AN HOUR-PLUS drive from bustling Barcelona, an oasis of calm and pleasure awaits.

Hotel Mas La Boella is a beautifully designed boutique hotel with 13 elegant suites -- each distinct and artfully decorated -- named after the estate's bountiful variety of grapes and olives.

We discovered this paradise while researching unusual places to stay, a tradition in our ten years of visiting southern Spain with its enticing array of boutique hotels and paradors.

DRAWN TO picturesque and historic Tarragona province, we were intrigued by the allure of La Boella. Foodies and olive fanciers, we loved that we'd douse our bread with oil made from the estate's own trees. We appreciated that one of southern Spain's famed chefs creates the restaurant's delicacies. Fragrant Tarragona wines and 300 other global offerings complement Manuel Ramirez' beautifully presented plates.

Delicious appetizer olive begins the feast at Espai Fortuny, Mas la Boella's gourmet restaurant — A simple, delicious appetizer olive begins the feast at Espai Fortuny.

BEAUTY AWAITS the beholder everywhere. Various elements are at play, all enhanced by nature. The place has history -- a 12th Century country house is equipped with the latest technology. So the hotel is pampering and serene, yet completely modern. Our balcony offered stunning views of the olive groves, gardens and vineyards. Our suite was beautifully enhanced with pleasing paintings evoking nearby nature. Yet we could be on line, catching up on work.

View of the charming florale patio where we dined at this historic hotel in Italy — Mas La Boella's stunning beauty extends inside and outside the estate. Everything is constructed with the highest standards in the estate, popular for weddings, parties, luxurious events and conferences.

We strolled the grounds, admiring the mill where La Boella's famous extra virgin olive oil is made and we toured the factory, enjoying a tasting after.

At Mas la Boella the olive oil is serious business.

We'd be hard pressed (no pun intended) to find more delicious olive oil than that produced at La Boella. We poured it over our beautifully cooked eggs.

We dipped our bread in it. We became olive oil junkies in our several days there.

And we came home with bottles which we proudly and sparingly use, remembering a special time in a peaceful place.

exquisite meals artfully prepared meal by Catalan chef, Manuel Ramirez with quality ingredients, including the estate's own olive oil. — Lauded Catalan chef, Manuel Ramirez, sets the tone for exquisite meals, artfully prepared with quality ingredients, including the estate's own olive oil.

THE LOVELY HOTEL is recently constructed, but has the feeling of age -- with lacquered wood, huge windows, gorgeous giant beds ("more for dreaming than sleeping," they say. And it's true.)

Freshly made muffins and rosquilla (donuts) we ate at Mas la Boella luxury boutique hotel — Breakfast at La Boella features freshly made muffins and rosquilla (donuts.)

Blogger Cookie here chooses from a wide assortment of cheeses and deserts

Service is an art at a La Boella meal. Here, Cookie chooses cheeses for dessert.

Service is an art form at restaurant Espai Fortuny, where we capped the day with elegant, tasty lamb and fish, handsomely presented, accented with the resort's greens.

WE ENJOYED leisurely meals at the resort's highly regarded restaurant, which even in late autumn was frequented by locals as well as other lucky travelers.