Unbelievable Mas Cusi Find: Your Dream Escape in Roses, Spain Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the sangria on "Unbelievable Mas Cusi Find: Your Dream Escape in Roses, Spain Awaits!" and let me tell you – it’s a ride. Forget those perfectly polished, robotic reviews; this is the real deal, the stuff you need to know before you actually commit to dropping your hard-earned euros. And, trust me, you want to know.
(Deep breath. Now where were we?)
Accessibility: Tick, but… Okay, so the website boasts about accessibility. That's good. Important, even. Makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside knowing someone's thinking of everyone. BUT, and this is a big BUT, I’d reach out directly to the hotel if accessibility is key. I’m talking specific room preferences, etc. I’m a bit cautious here. Just a gut feeling.
(Okay, moving on…)
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Praying for It Let's be real: a accessible restaurant and lounges are crucial for any hotel, especially if this place is really to be the dream escape.
(Cough, cough, let's hope…)
Wheelchair Accessible: Essential, right? Another "check the fine print" moment. "Wheelchair accessible" can mean so many things. Does it actually mean accessible, or is the lift from the 1800s? Get specifics. Don't get caught in a situation where you're constantly asking for help.
(Okay, internet time.)
Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! (Yes, please!) & The Digital Dilemma
Alright, let’s talk Wi-Fi. They scream “Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!”, which is basically my love language. I need it for work, for streaming, for avoiding awkward conversations with my family. The idea of being cut off from the world on holiday gives me the shivers.
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet Services: Okay, the LAN thing? Not a big deal for me these days. Everyone's all Wi-Fi, all the time. Still, good to know there's a wired option if you're feeling nostalgic for the dial-up days. Maybe it's the hipster route now? Who knows.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: This is a MUST. I mean, I NEED to be able to Instagram my poolside cocktail, right? Or maybe make a quick work call without dashing back to the room.
(Okay, stuff to do… but first, a thought…)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Oh, the Spa…and the Pool!
Alright, listen, this is where it gets interesting. They’re promising relaxation. Like, serious relaxation. And I'm HERE FOR IT.
- Body Scrub, Body Wrap: Yes, please. If I'm going to be horizontal, I may as well be scrubbed and wrapped until I'm all dewy and smooth.
- Fitness Center, Gym/Fitness: I should care, but honestly? On holiday? The thought of a treadmill makes my stomach do a little flip. I’m gonna be honest: mostly I'd have a look. I could, in theory, use it. Maybe. Probably not.
- Foot Bath: Oh, yes. Very yes. After a long day of traipsing around Roses? Bliss.
- Massage, The Pool with a View, Sauna, Spa, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming Pool, Swimming Pool [outdoor]: Now we're talking. If this whole set-up matches the photos, I'm sold.
- (Confession time…) I'm imagining myself on a sun lounger, cocktail in hand, staring out at a spectacular view. The pool with a view part really got me!
- (Rambling a bit…) Okay, look, I LOVE a good spa. Like, a REALLY good spa. I’m talking fluffy robes, cucumber water, and the kind of masseuse who can magically unravel all the knots in your back. I'm hoping Mas Cusi's spa is on point. My stress level requires it.
(Food, food, glorious food…)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food!
This is where it gets tricky. "Unbelievable" better mean "unbelievably good food" or I'm going to be seriously disappointed.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement: Good. Variety is the spice of life.
- Asian Cuisine in Restaurant: I'm always up for some Asian cuisine, just as long as it's the good stuff.
- Bar, Bottle of water: Essential. I need a bar. And I need water, to rehydrate after I’ve had a few too many cocktails at the bar.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant: Buffets are a gamble. Either they're amazing, or they're… not. Fingers crossed for amazing.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Yep. Needs caffeine. Especially when the sun is shining!
- Desserts in restaurant: Crucial. Dessert is non-negotiable.
- Happy hour: YES.
- International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants: Ok, but the restaurants need to be good. And the poolside bar needs to serve Aperol Spritzes.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver after a late-night out.
- Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: All useful. Options, options, options.
(And now, the nitty-gritty…)
Cleanliness and Safety: Covid-times, You Know? This is a big one. I'm not a germaphobe, but I still want to feel safe.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer: Good to know. Essential, even.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Okay, this is basic stuff.
- Hygiene certification: Important; I care about that kind of thing.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Hopefully for the buffet.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Excellent!
- Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays: Very good.
- Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Necessary.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes. Cannot stress this enough.
- Sterilizing equipment: Okay, this is good.
(Digging deeper:)
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer: Necessary.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Peace of mind, especially when traveling.
- Safe dining setup: Important.
- Shared stationery removed: Good job!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: This is good to know.
(Now, the Services and Conveniences…)
Services and Conveniences: Okay, Lets See…
This is where a hotel either shines or falls flat.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Okay, this is a lot. A lot of stuff. It's impressive.
- Concierge This is good! Helps with the heavy lifting of a holiday.
(For the People, For the Kids, For the Fun!)
For the Kids, Access, CCTV, Security, and More!
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I’m not traveling with kids, but it's good that they're catering for them!
- Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms: The basics. Essential.
- Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed Always a bummer for the pet lovers.
- Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Okay, proposal spot? Interesting and a bit cheesy, but whatever.
- Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Fantastic! That’s
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your momma's perfectly-organized itinerary. This is MAS CUSI, Badia de Roses, Spain, raw. Get ready for some whiplash, because so am I.
MAS CUSI: WHERE MY DREAMS (AND MY BANK ACCOUNT) GO TO DIE (BUT IN A GOOD WAY)
(Arrival – Day 1: "OH HOLY GUACAMOLE, I'M ACTUALLY HERE!")
- Morning (or, let's be honest, late morning): Landed in Girona. The flight? Brutal. Toddler kicking my seat the entire way. I'm already fantasizing about a sangria bath. Girona airport is suspiciously charming. Maybe Spanish airports are just better? Or maybe I'm just delirious from lack of sleep.
- The Drive: Rent a car. Spanish drivers. Scary. GPS lady sounds like a stern schoolteacher. "Recalculating…" She's judging my every wrong turn. Finally, we're on the winding road to Palau-saverdera. The views? Stunning. Absolutely breathtaking. Makes you wanna… cry? Maybe the lack of sleep is getting to me.
- Afternoon: Arrive at Mas Cusi. Holy. Freaking. Smokeshow. The apartment is even better than the pictures. Which never happens. I'm talking rustic charm meets modern cool meets I can't believe I snagged this place. The sea view? Unbelievable. I'm already composing a heartfelt email to everyone I know, bragging.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Grocery run. Fail. I mean, I got the basics. Bread, cheese, wine (duh). But I accidentally bought a whole chorizo. It's HUGE. Like, I could take down an entire village with this thing. Questioning my life choices involving charcuterie right now.
- Evening: Open that bottle of wine. Sit on the balcony. Watch the sunset. Seriously, this is what dreams are made of. Now, I’m considering cancelling the rest of the trip and just staying here forever. Okay, maybe after I finish this chorizo.
(Day 2: "Sun, Sea, and My Existential Crisis")
- Morning (aka: "Why did I eat the whole chorizo?"): Wake up. Still can't believe this view. The sun is making me question if I'm even real. Breakfast – mostly cheese and regret. Time for the beach!
- Beach Time at Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park The beach. The water is crystal clear, so clean, and so warm; and I'm probably going to spend like half hour just swimming in it. This is what vacation should be all about, getting to see nature in a new way, finding some peace and quiet.
- Afternoon: (or, “The Paella Predicament”) Okay, so I tried to order paella. In Spanish I think… Well, I hope I did. I think I got it. I hope. The waiter gave me a look that either meant "Bless your heart…" or "You're an idiot." We shall see.
- Evening: The paella!!! It's amazing! The waiter was right! The sangria is flowing. I'm probably going to embarrass myself with my terrible Spanish before the night is over. But honestly? I don’t care. This is precisely the moment I want to savor.
(Day 3: "Culture Shock (and Siesta Fail)")
- Morning: Visit the charming town of Cadaqués. It's beautiful, yes, but also… full of tourists. But the white washed buildings, the narrow streets, the way the sea breeze feels… it kind of sweeps you away.
- Afternoon: Siesta time! Except I'm terrible at siestas. I kept waking up every half hour, sweating, with a mouthful of drool. My Spanish siesta skills need major improvement. I swear, the only way to truly unwind is with a nap.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. The food is incredible. The service is… "relaxed." (Translation: We're waiting a while.) The waiter seems to be more interested in flirting with the waitress than serving us, but, honestly, I'm not complaining.
- Night: After a few too many glasses of wine, I'm convinced I can speak fluent Catalan. I try to engage in conversation with a local about nothing, and he's just staring at me. Note to self: Learn some actual Catalan. Or just stick to the wine.
(Day 4: "Dali's Wacky World and My Growing Alcohol Tolerance")
- Morning: Visit the Salvador Dalí Museum (Teatre-Museu Dalí) in Figueres. Whoa. Just. Whoa. It's… intense. Dalí was a weird dude. But in the best way. I feel like my brain just got scrambled in a good way. You’ll see the world with new eyes, I swear.
- Afternoon: Lunch in Figueres. More seafood. More wine. My tolerance is definitely increasing. This might be a dangerous game. Thinking of buying a bottle of local wine as a keepsake.
- Evening: Back at the apartment. Another sunset. Another existential crisis (slightly less dramatic this time). More wine. Seriously, is Spain trying to kill me with joy?
(Day 5: "The Day I Almost Got Lost (and Maybe Loved it)")
- Morning: Go on a hike in Cap de Creus Natural Park. The views are incredible. The trails are… less so. Got slightly lost. Briefly freaked out. But then found my way back. The freedom, the mountains, the view, the sun… it’s divine.
- Afternoon: Beach Time! I should stay on the beach forever. The sun, the ocean, the sound of the waves… it's pure bliss.
- Evening: Seafood Paella. Again! Can't get enough of this thing, the flavor is just amazing and will never get old.
- Night: Looking at the stars, and it's beautiful. Trying to organize my thoughts and just enjoy.
(Day 6: "Departure (and The Unbearable Lightness of Being SAD)")
- Morning: Packing. The worst. I hate packing. The suitcase is always too small. How did I accumulate so much stuff in such a short time? The question is, could I move to Spain to live here?
- Afternoon: Last swim in the sea. Last walk on the beach. I'm already missing this place. The apartment. The view. The food. The wine. (Okay, mostly the wine.) The thought of leaving makes me want to weep.
- Evening: Travel back to Girona Airport.
- Night: "Home" The flight is long and it's all downhill from here.
Final Thoughts:
Mas Cusi, you magnificent beast. You were everything I hoped for and so much more. I came here looking for a vacation, and I found… something else. Something messy, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable. I'm leaving a little bit changed, a little bit sunburnt, and a whole lot happier. Now, where can I buy a one-way ticket?
Hongdae Hostel Heaven: Crossroad Backpackers Seoul Adventure!
Unbelievable Mas Cusi Find: Your Dream Escape in Roses, Spain Awaits! ... Or Does It?! Let's Get Real.
Okay, Okay, Mas Cusi. Sounds dreamy. But what *actually* is it? I'm picturing something…fancy. Prob'ly out of my budget.
Alright, buckle up, because my expectations were also *way* inflated. Mas Cusi is basically an old farmhouse, or *masia*, that's been converted into a sort of… well, it's a *thing*. They call it a "rural hotel." Think exposed beams, rustic charm, maybe a whole lotta dust (more on that later). The price? Yeah, it can sting a bit. Think “treat yourself” vacation not “backpacking on a shoestring." BUT, and this is a big but, it *can* be worth it. Depends on your vibe. If you’re after a sterile, cookie-cutter hotel experience, run for the hills. If you’re down for something… *different*…keep reading.
The website made it sound idyllic. Did it… *live* up to the pictures?
Ugh. The website. God, let's be honest, *every* website is curated reality, right? The pictures were gorgeous. Sun-drenched patios, shimmering pool, the whole nine yards. And, yeah, it's beautiful. It *is*. But the devil's in the details. The "sun-drenched patio"? Well, it's also the parking lot. (Minor detail, I know, but I'm a bit obsessive about parking) The shimmering pool? Lovely, but sometimes… a bit *too* lovely, if you catch my drift. One day, I swear, there was a floating *spider*. And look, I enjoy a good swim, but a spider in the pool? Not my favourite. (I'm being dramatic, I know, but it did creep me out.) The overall feel is more “lived-in elegance” than “perfect magazine spread.” Which, actually, is more charming in the long run. Because… real life, you know?
Rooms. Spill the tea. Are they cramped? Do they have aircon? (Crucial question, let's be real.)
Okay, rooms. Listen, some rooms are *stellar*. Seriously, huge, with amazing views. Others… well, let's just say you might want to pack light. Seriously. Air conditioning is your FRIEND in summer. So, check before you book. And not just "air conditioning." Check how well it *works*. There was one night where my "air conditioning" sounded like a dying walrus. And the worst part? It didn't even cool the room down! I spent half the night sweating and the other half plotting revenge on the walrus-like machine. (I'm just kidding… mostly.) Honestly, ask for a room with a good view, preferably on an upper floor. Worth it for the extra few euros, *trust me*. Because waking up to the Costa Brava is… *chef’s kiss*.
Food, glorious food! Is it as amazing as everyone says? Did you even EAT?
Food! Yes! Okay, let me back up a second. The website made it sound like they'd have Michelin star restaurants. And look, I'm a sucker for good food, but I'm also a sucker for knowing what I'm actually GETTING! The breakfast (included, thank god) was… mixed. Good coffee, fresh bread, but also some seriously suspicious-looking ham. And the eggs? Hit or miss. One day, pure perfection. The next? A rubbery, sad disaster. I had this one encounter with a plate of something that looked vaguely like scrambled eggs. I was super hungry, so I dug in... and it was like eating rubber. I had to go in. The dinner? It was amazing. One of the best meals I've had. The atmosphere was perfect. I even talked to the chef. He's the best.
Okay, but let's talk *Roses*. Is the location good? Is it actually… *close* to things?
Roses itself… is incredible. The location of Mas Cusi? It's a bit of a mixed bag. It's not *right* in the hustle and bustle of the town, which is actually a plus if you want peace and quiet. But you *will* need a car, or rely on taxis. The walk to the beach is doable, technically, but it's uphill, and in the summer heat… you’d better be prepared to be *sweaty*. Okay, I'm being dramatic again. The beach is beautiful, and the town offers amazing restaurants. This place had me feeling like a local by the time I left. I almost forgot I was a tourist at all
Any quirky experiences or funny stories you can share? Spill the tea!
Oh, honey, where do I even begin?! The time I tried to order a bottle of wine – it did NOT go well. I'd spent the whole day at the beach and I'd gotten slightly sunburned. But I was starving, and the only thing that sounded good was a nice bottle. So I went to the bar, and I couldn't find a waiter, so I waited. And waited. And then I called the bartender. Finally, I got someone to help me. I *thought* I was ordering a Rioja (yes, I know, basic). The waiter, who was clearly new, brought me… something else entirely. Something… purple. Like, *really* purple. It tasted like… grape soda mixed with vinegar. I tried to be polite, tried to drink it, but it was awful. I think he felt bad because he ended up giving me a free glass of *actual* Rioja. So, victory! But yeah… always double-check your wine order. Learn from my mistakes!
Would you go back? Be honest!
Okay, deep breath. Would I *go back*? Look, despite the spider, the questionable eggs, and the purple wine incident… *yes*. Absolutely. Mas Cusi isn't perfect. It's not going to win any awards for flawless luxury. But it has… *character*. It’s the kind of place that grows on you. The staff, despite a few hiccups, were genuinely lovely. The sunsets are epic. The sense of peace you get there is worth the price of admission alone. So, yeah. Pack your bags, pack your sense of humor, and go. Just… pack some bug spray. And maybe a travel-sized bottle of your favorite wine, just in case.
