Looking for a lovely hotel in the Costa Brava? Finding the perfect hotel in Europe should be so easy. It’s not as if we’re asking for the earth: we want somewhere small, friendly (probably family-run) and reasonably priced, with double helpings of charm and character. Not such a tall order, is it?
Oh yes it is — because the best little bolt holes don’t necessarily have the budget to advertise, even if they wanted to. They can’t launch a high-profile campaign like the flashy five-stars. And anyone, travel writers included, lucky enough to stumble on one is hardly going to tell everyone else. They go all Gollum-like and overprotective. Some are trendy, others traditional; some by the sea, others tucked away in obscure corners of countryside; some verging on posh, others as cheap as chips. But all 10 feel like that most precious travel rarity — a real discovery.
1 Hotel Castell d’Emporda, La Bisbal d’Emporda
This lovely hotel provides a unique base for enjoying rich Catalan culture and having a restful and luxurious stay in an 800 year old castle.
2 Hotel Casamar, Llafranc
The 2 star Hotel Casamar is located in one of the most beautiful coves of the Costa Brava and in the town of Llafranc.
3 Hotel Sant Roc, Calella de Palafrugell
A peaceful, 3 star family hotel, built in 1954, set directly on a cliff top overlooking the sea in the authentic heart of the Costa Brava.
4 Hotel Rosa, Begur
The 3 star Hotel Rosa is a small, family run hotel located in the centre of the lovely old city of Begur, in the very heart of the Costa Brava.
5 Hotel Mas Ses Vinyes, Begur
Off the road, in a landscape of old vinyards and Mediterranean woods, you will find the 3 star Hotel Mas Ses Vinyes. It is settled in a typical Catalan farmstead located 4 kilometres from Begur.
6 Hotel Aiguablava, Begur
The 4 star Hotel Aigua Blava is located next to the welcoming coves of Fornells and Aiguablava.
7 Hotel Mas Salvi, Pals
This newly-opened hotel is in a 17th century Catalan country house surrounded by meadows of alfafa and corn.
8 Hotel Terramar, Llafranc
The 3 star Hotel Terramar is located on the sea front of the magnificent beach of Llafranc. Discover this warm and friendly hotel, set in beautiful surroundings opposite the sea. Its history goes back to the year 1934, when Llafranc was nothing but a little cove of fishermen.
9 Hotel Torre Laurentii, Sant Llorenc de La Muga
This place is excellent for those who long for silence and peace and it offers the ultimate in sybaritic country life, elegant yet relaxed, friendly, discreet and amusing. The hotel’s decoration transmits an indiano (a Spaniard who made their fortune in Latin America) feel, with pieces brought to Spain by the owners from their years in the Philippines.
10 Hotel Alga, Calella de Palafrugell
The Hotel Alga is located on the main street of Calella de Palafrugell, 200 metres from the beach, and has 53 rooms and various function suites which can hold up to 300 people, as well as over 7,000 m2 of gardens, 2 swimming pools, a tennis court and car park.