He is the Swedish lawyer and entrepreneur who is putting the splendour back into Spanish holidays. Lennart Tengroth arrived in Agua Amarga almost two decades ago and has since created a unique design boutique hotel & beach club on the shores of the Mediterranean. Located in the natural park of Cabo de Gata-Níjar, a short distance from the beach, and with majestic panoramic views of mountains and sea, the Real La Joya country hotel is a haven of tranquillity.
It has become known as a discreet retreat for celebrities and European royalty looking to shun the bright lights of Mallorca and Ibiza; but more importantly, it is a repeat favourite of couples from all over the world.
The 12 exclusive suites all have sea views, private entrances and large terraces with sunbeds. There is a heated pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, lounge and bar, restaurant and spa treatments. Real Agua Amarga also has seven villas, located just 50 metres from the sea shore, perfect for families who want the quiet enjoyment of “St Tropez before it was discovered”.
The Real Beach Club on the Agua Amarga beach offers a unique and private lounge and bar for guests at the hotel and the villas
The hotel is top rated on Tripadvisor, winning the Travellers’ Choice Award in 2017 for the second year running (and the first of its kind to be given to an establishment in the Almeria region). The website WeddingSutra.com lists Real Agua Amarga among the top 20 honeymoon destinations in the world.
Head chef David Sorroche has established the resort’s reputation for fine cuisine, prepares a delicious dinner menu using fresh and local ingredients, accompanied by a great selection of national and international wines. The restaurant, which is for the exclusive use of guests, also occasionally hosts guest chef Juan Manuel Sánchez Reche, the winner of Spain’s first MasterChef in 2013.
Nearby are some of the finest beaches and coves of the Southern Spanish coast. These include the spectacular Playa de Los Muertos and the extraordinarily beautiful Cala de Enmedio, which lies 30 minutes by foot from Agua Amarga, a 150m beach of golden sand with striking views of Agua Amarga across the bay, and behind it, Cerro Mesa Roldán with its lighthouse and its old fortress.
The pristine nature of the area and Real Agua Amarga’s exceptional venues make the resort a perfect place for couples, families and friends (birthday parties, family reunions and weddings). The facilities can also be exclusively booked for business meetings, seminars and video productions. With its extraordinary climate (highest number of sunshine hours in Europe) and 10 golf courses available in the area, this is the ideal hidden but exclusive location in Spain.
Almeria is also a haven for cyclists, which is unparalleled in terms of variety and is a well-kept secret. You can ride through rustic villages in the mountains and spin through rolling unspoilt countryside of olive, almond and orange groves. All roads are beautifully smooth, safe and very quiet.
The area is also great for hiking - with a number of interesting trails along the coast to beaches and coves - as well as for diving, horse riding and kite surfing.
In the village, there are several restaurants (including four on the beach), a charming square with a traditional Spanish bar and some shops. The small town of Carboneras is 7km from the resort, with several supermarkets and a local market on Thursdays.
Almeria Airport is just 40 minutes by car, while Alicante is 2½ hrs away and Malaga 3hrs.
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