This former childrens hospital, a short drive south of Barcelona has been converted into a very stylish and luxury beach resort, with great F&B outlets and an amazing spa and pool complex. Our duplex suite with a balcony facing the sea was elegant and contemporary. The breakfast buffet was one of the best we have ever had in Europe; the same restaurant also serves a very good dinner buffet. This is now one of our favourite SPG properties in Europe. We were not sure about the piece of art in the lobby, however, of a misformed child with an animal body, which we though was borderline bad taste, especially considering the history of the place.

The location is a little out of the way, but is a nice place for r&r. We enjoyed the treatments at the spa, great massage, although availability was a bit problematic.

Staff were very nice and service was good.

Only one niggle, we booked a double room and were given a twin with the beds shoved together. As I have a baby and was afraid he could fall between the beds I requested a double as we had booked and was asked to pay for an upgrade. We ended up in a smaller room, paying more, just so we could safely have the baby in the bed with us - strange policy!

Also parking is very expensive, for 22 euros I would expect valet parking...

I was staying few times at Le Meridien Ra - both for business (in September) and pleasure (in May). As a SPG Platinum I have proufoundly been enjoying features of this place. Please notice that the nearest train station is Calafell, not El Vendrell (which is often written as an address of a place). Few pro`s and contras:

Pros`s:
- staff
- absolute beach front location with nice beach bar
- interesting combination of styles (colonial and modern)
- spa center
- 2 swiming pools (outdoor and indoor) and saunas
- very nice upgrade for Platinum SPGs (even when the place is almost fully booked!)
- nice place/city with a lot of beach front bars

(relative) Con`s:
- relatively hard to reach from Barcelona
- there is a general problem with internet that has not been working during both stays (there was just a limited wi fi area next to the reception)
- not the place for young couples searching for wild night life as the place is rather quiet
- staff member at a hotel beach a bit rude (we were staying as a conf group and wanted to sit close to each other on the beach but the staff member was insisting that we can not move beach chairs (we wanted to place them closer) as it was already 4 pm (!)) - for hotel use - it was on Sunday, September 18th.

Another piece of advise - take you swimming cap with you as it is absolutely forbidden to enter swiming pools without it. Of course, it can also be purcahsed at the SPA reception with very reasonable 3 eur extra charge per cap.

I stayed in this hotel over a weekend with friends! I was really impressed of the architecture (combiniation between modern and colonial method). All of the staff (especially from Reception/Concierge) were extremly friendly and courteous! The rooms are very comfortable and the view to the beach and the sea very romantic! The service all over the hotel is exceptionally! The SPA is totally relaxing, all the beauty treatments and massages have resonable prices :-) Altogether we were thoroughly happy!!!!