Camiral, A Quinta do Lago Resort: Reviewing Catalonia’s most restorative inland escape

For those cruising the Catalan coast, Camiral offers a compelling reason to venture inland. Set amid 500 acres of forest just outside Girona, the resort feels worlds away from the bustle of the Costa Brava, yet remains within easy reach of the Med. Formerly known as Camiral Golf & Wellness, the newly renamed Camiral, A Quinta do Lago Resort marks a subtle evolution – one that places as much emphasis on longevity and wellbeing as it does on sport, landscape and gastronomy.

Arrival is quietly impressive. The architecture is contemporary and low-slung, designed to sit lightly within its surroundings, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame uninterrupted views across pine forest and rolling fairways. Every room enjoys a panoramic outlook, reinforcing the sense that this is a place to slow down rather than show off. It’s the sort of discreet opulence that will appeal to owners and charter guests accustomed to refinement without fuss.

Days here are designed to unfold at an unhurried pace. Lounging by the pool quickly becomes a central ritual – shaded and framed by nature. But it’s the resort’s wellness centre, which opened in 2020, that has become Camiral’s true calling card. The approach is firmly performance-led, focusing on cellular health and long-term vitality.

A visit begins with a circuit that combines photobiomodulation and cryotherapy – Camiral is the first facility in Spain to house a MECOTEC double cryotherapy chamber – followed by time in the water area. The experience is brisk, efficient and deeply restorative, the kind of reset that feels particularly well suited to those coming off long passages or intense periods on board. There’s a scientific precision to it all, yet it never feels clinical.

Wellness continues beyond the treatment rooms and into the kitchen. New for this season is the Wellness Kitchen, an intimate dining space reserved for guests enrolled in one of Camiral’s tailored programmes – Detox, Wellness or Longevity. Here, nutrition becomes an extension of therapy. 

Executive Chef David Vives, whose résumé includes El Celler de Can Roca, works alongside on-site nutritionist Mireia Cervera to create menus that are both nourishing and genuinely enjoyable. Dishes lean heavily on zero-kilometre produce and Mediterranean principles, with a clear emphasis on energy, balance and longevity rather than restriction.

For the evening, Origin restaurant provides a more indulgent counterpoint. Opened at the end of last season, Origin is a confident new addition to Camiral’s dining offering and one that firmly places the resort on the region’s gastronomic map. The concept is a contemporary tribute to Catalan cuisine, rooted in seasonality and local sourcing, yet elevated through refined technique.

The dining room strikes a balance between relaxed elegance and intimacy, with warm neutral tones, brushed metals and artwork by Ramon Enrich setting the mood. The menu moves comfortably between classic and creative: turbot with roasted onion, romesco and hazelnuts; lamb with peas, mint and cumin; and a beautifully executed Beef Wellington with truffle sauce. A reimagined trinxat – potato and cabbage paired with lobster – offers a playful nod to Catalonia’s mar i muntanya tradition.

Service is knowledgeable without being intrusive, and the pacing suits long, lingering dinners – particularly welcome after a day spent restoring body and mind. It’s a restaurant that feels destination-worthy in its own right, not simply a hotel convenience.

Sport, of course, remains central to Camiral’s identity. Home to two of Spain’s finest golf courses, the resort will host the Ryder Cup in 2031 – a milestone that underscores its standing on the global stage. Yet even for non-golfers, the landscape invites exploration, whether on foot, by bike, or simply from a sunlounger with a view.

Camiral succeeds because it understands its audience. This is not a resort chasing trends, but one quietly refining its offer for those who value discretion, wellbeing and substance. For superyacht owners and charter guests seeking a meaningful shore-side interlude – one that restores rather than distracts – Camiral is an inland escape that more than earns its place on the itinerary.

Camiral, A Quinta do Lago Resort, offers rooms from £250 based on two adults sharing a Deluxe Room Double Bed on a B&B basis. camiral.com/en/