Unbelievable Villa in Spain: Alba La Escala Luxury Awaits!
Alba La Escala: Luxury? More Like… a Love Story (Mostly)
Okay, buckle up, because this review is going to be a rollercoaster, just like my emotions were at Alba La Escala. Spoiler alert: I’m still recovering. Not just from the sheer beauty of the Costa Brava, but from the experience of staying in this… villa. "Luxury awaits," they said. And, well, it did. Kinda. More on that in a sec.
First Impressions & the Accessibility Angle:
Finding Alba La Escala was the easy part – the drive along the Spanish coast is breathtaking, seriously, postcard material. Access? Alright, so this is where things get a little… nuanced. I'm not personally wheelchair-bound, but I travel with someone who is, and that's what matters in this case. The website said accessible. The reality? A few glitches. The main entrance was thankfully level, a big win. But navigating the grounds? Some areas were a touch… hilly. And getting assistance? Spotty. I'm talking about having to find a member of staff to take the stairs to get the scooter lift to the upper pool deck and getting that working. It was a process. Now, let's be honest, the views from up there were worth the hassle, absolutely mind-blowing. But definitely room for improvement.
Accessibility - Now Let's Talk About the Good Stuff!
They did have a working elevator. That's a HUGE win. And the main areas like the reception and the dining areas were perfectly accessible. They even had a dedicated area for the wheelchair user's special table settings. That was actually really nice and thoughtful.
On-Site Eats & Drinks - The Feeding Frenzy Begins:
Right, food. This is where I start to salivate…and occasionally weep (happy tears, mostly). The onsite restaurants? Heaven. Absolute, glorious heaven. There was a fantastic restaurant with amazing views and the most delicious paella I've ever tasted. Seriously, I still dream about that paella. Getting a table at the bar was a bit challenging – it was always packed, which is always a good sign, right? – but worth the fight.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - My Waistline's Confession
They got all the bases in here. Asian, Italian, Spanish, whatever you wanted I'd bet you could have it. Okay, I'm confessing - every morning, I started with their buffet. Not just any buffet. A gourmet buffet. The presentation of things that can be on the plate was really quite something. I was in heaven from the start. Then, there was the pool bar. Need I say more? Cocktails that'll knock your socks off, and the snacks were perfect. My waistline said 'No!’, but my taste buds, they said 'Yes, please!' I'm not saying I spent the whole day there, but…let’s just say I perfected the art of the poolside nap.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - The Spa, Oh, The Spa!
Okay, listen up, because the spa…the spa was a game-changer. I’m a spa snob, I admit it. And this place… this place got it. The massage? Divine. I'm talking about melting into a puddle of pure bliss divine. They have everything: a sauna, a steam room, foot baths, body wraps. I even did a salt scrub and felt like a new human. The outdoor pool? Infinitely Instagrammable. Plus, the view! I mean, who doesn't like to look out at an incredible landscape?
Cleanliness & Safety - The Sanitization Song & Dance
I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this was crucial for me. And Alba La Escala delivered. This was just after COVID had died down and the precautions were impressive. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff masked to the nines, and regular sanitizing in common areas. They even offered individual-wrapped food options. Room sanitization? Check. Safe dining setup? Check. They took this seriously. I felt safe and secure.
Rooms: My Little Cave of Bliss (Mostly)
My room was a dream - non-smoking, soundproof (thank god!). Air conditioning, of course. They had an iron, mini-bar, wake-up service, complimentary tea and coffee. And the views! The view from the window? Incredible. And the bed? Extra long, so I could make out with my lover all night long. The bathroom was sleek and modern. And there was always extra towels. The only, and I mean only downside? The Internet was a bit spotty in the furthest corners of the room. Seriously nitpicking here.
Services and Conveniences - A List so Long I Should Just Copy & Paste
Where do I even begin? Concierge? Check. Daily housekeeping? Check. Dry cleaning and laundry service? Check and check. Luggage storage? Of course. They had a whole range of things that you would expect from a villa like this, and they seemed willing to help whenever possible. They even organized a last-minute flower delivery for my partner, which earned me major brownie points.
For the Kids - Not My Department, But Seemed Pretty Good
I didn’t travel with children, but there were a lot of families there. And the kids seemed happy. They had a babysitting service, kids' meals, and some dedicated kids' facilities.
Getting Around - Airport Transfer? YES PLEASE!
I opted for the airport transfer, which was fantastic. Easy peasy lemon squeezy, a luxury I am willing to pay for. They had plenty of on-site parking which was great and I would recommend it.
The Emotional Aftermath (aka: Rambling Thoughts)
Okay, here's the thing: Alba La Escala is stunning. Utterly, breathtakingly, soul-crushingly beautiful. The staff are incredibly kind and helpful. The food? I’d sell my soul for another plate of that paella. The spa? Don't get me started. But the accessibility issues, while manageable, were a persistent background hum. It's a reminder that luxury isn't always about the glitz and glamour; it's about everyone being able to enjoy it.
The Verdict?
Go. Seriously. Go. If you can, just be prepared to make a few extra arrangements if accessibility is crucial for you, and make sure you prepare your taste buds for a culinary rollercoaster! And for goodness sake, book a spa treatment. You deserve it. I may never truly recover from Alba La Escala. But hey, I’m okay with that.
Escape to Paradise: Luxurious 4-Person Chalet in the Heart of Frisian Nature
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this is going to be less "Lonely Planet" and more "Drunk Aunt Carol trying to remember her bridge club schedule… in Spanish." This is a chaotic, messy, and hopefully hilarious itinerary for a stay at Villa Alba La Escala in Spain, a Belvilla beauty. Prepare yourselves, because I’m gonna be brutally honest.
Belvilla by OYO: Villa Alba, La Escala, Spain – The Unofficial, Unguided Tour (with a Side of Wine)
Day 1: Arrival – Or, "The Great Luggage Scramble and the Quest for the Holy Sangria"
- Morning (6:00 AM): Alarm blares. Ugh. Why did I think a pre-dawn flight was a good idea? Drag my oversized suitcase (filled mostly with "maybe I'll wear it" outfits) to the airport. The security line? Absolute pandemonium. Feels like I'm herding sheep. And the coffee? Luke-warm disappointment.
- Flight: Managed to snag a window seat, mostly to judge everyone else's snacks. Witness a toddler projectile-vomit. Decide I'm NOT ordering the in-flight meal.
- Arrival at Girona Airport (1:00 PM): Finally! But the rental car? Apparently, I “booked a car the size of a shoebox.” Cue internal screaming. Try to navigate the Spanish car rental language (hint: "no entiendo" will be my mantra). Successfully avoid a complete meltdown.
- The Drive (1:30 PM - 3:00 PM): Google Maps screams directions. I fight with the GPS whilst simultaneously admiring the Spanish countryside. Stop to buy snacks. Discover the joys of patatas bravas. Eat half the bag before finding Villa Alba.
- Checking In (3:00 PM): Villa Alba! It's… bigger than I expected. The pictures definitely did it justice. The pool beckons. Now… where's the key? Ah, the key box. Struggle for ten minutes, sweating in the Spanish sun. Success! (Almost).
- The Unpacking Disaster (3:30 PM): Unpack. Or at least, attempt. Realize I forgot my favourite sunhat. Sulk a little. Deal with a wasp in the house.
- The Sangria Search Begins (4:30 PM): The most important task. Locate nearest supermarket. Walk in, slightly overwhelmed. Attempt to decipher Spanish wine labels. Grab the first thing that looks vaguely promising. Realize I also need fruit. Buy ALL the fruit. Think of a recipe.
- Sangria Creation (6:00 PM): Armed with a questionable bottle of wine and an arsenal of fruit, attempt a passable sangria. Spill some. Taste. It's… not bad. Cheers to that!
- Sunset & First Evening (8:00 PM): Sit by the pool. Sip sangria. Watch the sunset. Feel genuinely peaceful. Think: "This is the life."
- First Evening Dinner (9:00 PM): Decide to grill some of the fruit from the supermarket. Char everything. Eat the slightly burnt, but absolutely amazing, grilled peaches. Vow to learn how to grill properly.
Day 2: La Escala Exploration – Or, "The Day I Nearly Drowned in Anchovies"
- Morning (9:00 AM): Sleep in! Bliss! Wake up to the sun streaming through the window. Coffee on the terrace. Pure joy.
- La Escala Town (10:00 AM): Walk to the town. Get distracted by every single cute little shop.
- The Anchovy Adventure (11:00 AM): La Escala is known for its anchovies, apparently. Go to a restaurant that sells them. Order a selection. They are…intense. Way too salty. Try to be polite while trying to eat them. Fail. Order a beer to wash away the anchovy taste.
- The Beach (1:00 PM): Stroll along the beach. Admire the crystal-clear water. Almost get sand in my eyes. The sea is a tempting, beautiful, and sneaky beast.
- Lunch Disaster at Beach Bar (2:00 PM): Order seafood paella. The waiter has an accent I cannot understand. Paella arrives. Tastes incredible. Eat too fast. Bloat.
- Naptime & Poolside Relaxation (3:30 PM): Back at the villa. Nap in a hammock. WAKE UP to sunbathing. Splash around in the pool. Feel my worries slowly melting away.
- Sunset Dinner at another restaurant (8:00 PM): Venture out. Order something different. Enjoy the evening.
- Evening Debrief (9:30 PM): Sit on the patio, sip wine, and reflect on the day. The "anchovy incident" is still playing on repeat in my head. Maybe I'll be brave tomorrow and try again.
Day 3: Girona Day Trip – Or, "The Day I Got Lost in a Cathedral and Found Happiness in a Pastry"
- Morning (8:00 AM): Decide to conquer Girona! Pack a picnic. Wear comfy shoes (a necessity).
- Girona Exploration (9:30 AM): The drive is fine, the historic city is gorgeous. Get delightfully lost in the charming, narrow streets.
- The Cathedral Challenge (11:00 AM): Visit the Girona Cathedral. It's huge and impressive. Get completely turned around. Stumble upon a hidden garden. Take a breath and appreciate its beauty.
- Lunch in the Park (1:00 PM): Picnic time! Eat sandwiches under a leafy tree. Squirrels attempt to steal my chips. Defend myself.
- The Pastry Revelation (2:00 PM): Discover a tiny bakery selling the most amazing pastries I've ever tasted. Eat three. No regrets.
- Shopping (3:00 PM): Visit some shops with souvenirs. Buy way too many things, with an intention of gifting them to someone.
- Return to the villa (4:30 PM): Driving back, feel a lot of emotions about how happy I am.
- Evening Chill & Poolside Drinks (6:00 PM): Relax by the pool. Enjoy the peace and quiet.
- Dinner at Home (8:00 PM): Cook something simple. Watch the stars!
Day 4: Empúries Ruins & Coastal Drive – Or, "The Day I Fell in Love with Ancient History (and Got Slightly Sunburnt)"
- Morning (9:00 AM): Lazy start. Coffee on the terrace again. Feel like a local already.
- Empúries Ruins (10:30 AM): Drive to the ancient Greek and Roman ruins of Empúries. Wander around in awe. Try imagining what life was like back then. Wonder if the Romans had decent coffee. Get slightly sunburned (apply more sunscreen tomorrow!).
- Coastal Drive (1:00 PM): Cruise along the scenic coastal roads. Stop at random viewpoints. Take a million photos.
- Lunch with a View (2:00 PM): Find a charming little restaurant overlooking the sea. Order seafood. Feel the salty air. Feel completely relaxed.
- Beach Time (3:30 PM): Find a secluded cove. Swim in the turquoise water.
- Back to the Villa & Relax (6:00 PM): Sit near the pool and ponder the day and the rest of the trip.
- Dinner (8:00 PM): Try to make more of the local food.
- Evening Stargazing (9:30 PM): The stars here are so much brighter than at home. The night is perfect.
Day 5: Wine Tasting & Local Market – Or, "The Day I Became a Wine Connoisseur (sort of)"
- Morning (9:00 AM): Sleep in. Because, why not?
- Local Market (10:00 AM): Visit La Escala's local market. Buy fresh produce, cheese, olives and other goodies.
- The Wine Adventure (11:00 AM): Go to a local vineyard. Learn about the winemaking process. Taste the wine. Buy some. (Might buy too much).
- Lunch, a feast of flavours (1:00 PM): Enjoy the fresh goods that you bought in the local market.
- Villa & Relax (2:30 PM): Back to the villa. Spend more time by the pool. I deserve it.
- Sunset & Last Night (7:00 PM): Eat dinner. Say goodbye to this wonderful place.
Day 6: Departure – Or, "The Sad Goodbye and the Promise to Return"
- Morning (8:00 AM): Pack. Sigh. Vow to return. One last coffee on the terrace. Soak it all in.
- Departure (9:00 AM): Drive back to the airport. Return the shoebox car. Hope I haven't forgotten anything.
- **Arrival at the
Okay, spill the tea! Is Alba La Escala *really* as amazing as it looks online? Like, seriously?
Seriously though, the pool. Is it as glorious as it appears? Gimme the pool gossip!
What about the kitchen? Is it actually equipped for a decent cook, or just for show? (And are there any pesky ants?)
The views! Are they as stunning as everyone says? Tell me about a specific view you'll never forget!
Is it worth the money? Be honest. Don't sugarcoat it!
What was the biggest "holy crap" moment or a surprise that stood out?
