We enter this haven of peace, considered the first eco-resort on the peninsula, just half an hour from the big city.
At the beginning of October, the body is looking for new ways to return to those placid days of rest and disconnection that holidays offer. We travel mentally to the places we have been, we recreate in our heads their scenery, smells and sensations. However, although routine forces us to return to a certain order and habits, the truth is that we can always escape again, take a short break and recreate that dolce far niente of the summer season. That is what you feel when you arrive at the Hotel Mas Salagros, a resort located in the mountains of the Serrada Litoral. Despite being only half an hour from Barcelona, the calm of the place makes you feel like you are much further away.
Outside area of Mas Salagros. Editorial credit of the hotel.
The connection with the land as the essence of Mas Salagros
Embraced by this mountainous and green landscape, Mas Salagros is the first eco-resort on the peninsula. It is Green Goble Certified, which is the highest standard of sustainability in the world. Their respect for the environment is reflected in the type of architecture, the ingredients they use in their restaurant and how they make the most of natural resources, from energy to the circular economy they promote from their vegetable garden.
Just by arriving you get the feeling of being in a place that respects the cycle of life and integrates it in various ways. You can see it in the slowness with which everything happens: the welcome and check-in, the time spent in the room with its large modernist-style windows. Every single detail matters, including the personalised card left on the table.
Salvia Suite, one of the hotel’s most special suites. Editorial credit: Mas Salagros.
Everything is harmoniously integrated into the space, even the large bathtub from which you can relax with views of the mountains. The other attraction of this bathroom is the large marble counter that crosses the two washbasins. One could spend hours in front of this mirror practising the usual grooming routines. It is even an ideal place to have conversations with each other. Bathrooms invite intimacy in a different way.
AIRE Ancient Baths, an elevated spa experience by candlelight
After relaxing in the suite, you realise that this is only the prelude to a greater experience. It starts to become evident when you arrive at the AIRE Ancient Baths spa, where they have prepared a circuit of thermal waters followed by a massage. All this in a dimly lit candlelit space that pays homage to Ancient Rome with all kinds of pools: the caldarium (at 40º), frigidarium (16º), flotarium or salt bath…
The massage was the Holistic Ritual, a treatment with body exfoliation on a hot marble stone followed by a relaxing massage. In their menu of experiences you can find everything they offer.
AIRE Ancient Baths Spa, in an old 15th century building. Editorial credit: Mas Salagros.
The gastronomic menu of the 1497 Restaurant
With the benefits of this bathing ritual integrating into the body comes the second notable experience of this getaway to Mas Salagros: dinner at Restaurant 1497. Awarded one Sun in the Repsol Guide 2024, it is based on local, Mediterranean and organic cuisine, as much of its cuisine comes from the Mas Salagrós vegetable garden.
Courgettes grown in the hotel’s vegetable garden. Editorial credit: Mas Salagros.
They offer three tasting menus: 1497, Slow and Vegan. The Slow – which is the one I tried – consists of three chef’s appetizers that vary according to the market, followed by three starters: strawberry gazpacho with smoked sardines, cherry tomatoes and tomato gelée; burrata with tomato chutney, pickled spinach and black olive earth; and free-range egg at 63ºC with corn and basil cream, almond crumble and smoked jerky. The seafood dish is hake on a skewer with roasted vegetable velouté, red prawns, spring onion purée and pine nut vinaigrette. From the mountains, boneless shoulder of lamb with celeriac pie, cumin-roasted apple cream and mustard reduction.
Scallop au gratin with parmesan, herb cream, fresh sprouts and roasted carrot. Editorial credit: Mas Salagros.
Outside the Slow menu, another dish worth trying is the scallop gratin with parmesan, herb cream, fresh sprouts and roasted carrot. Undoubtedly one of the best, along with the burrata and strawberry gazpacho. The menu concludes with two exceptional desserts: the exotic cloud with passion fruit, coconut and white chocolate and the chocolate textures with salted caramel and raspberry. All paired with a tasting of four organic wines from Catalonia and from different areas of the peninsula.
Breakfast and bike ride
At Mas Salagros we also highlight what for many is one of the best moments of any hotel stay: breakfast. A large free buffet with a wide variety of fruit and juices, different types of breads, cheeses, cold meats and a delicate selection of croissants and sweets.
One of the activities offered at the hotel is the rental of electric bicycles. Editorial credit: Mas Salagros.
We said goodbye to Mas Salagros in the best possible way: with a ride on a Riese & Müller electric bicycle around the hotel and discovering the trails through the mountains in the area. It is a moment that allows you to savour and digest even better this slow experience that anyone would like to repeat.
