Top 10: the best four star hotels on the Costa Brava
An insider's guide into the top four-star hotels on the Costa Brava including the best places to stay for beautiful beaches, stylish interiors, excellent Catalan cooking, relaxing spas and rural locations, near Mas Pinell beach, Begur, Pals beach and La Bisbal.
Hotel Aigua Blava
Begur, Catalonia, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
This classy hotel overlooking the beautiful bay of Aiguablava has one of the most stunning locations on the Costa Brava. It may only be a four star, but its old world charm, superb restaurant and spectacular views are unquestionably five. Originally converted from a 1930s hostal behind the beach, the hotel is now made up of several buildings. Most of the rooms are stylish and contemporary, while some of the lounge areas are charmingly old-fashioned with traditional Spanish pottery and gilt-framed Impressionist-style oils on the walls. The wood-panelled bar area has large black-and-white blow ups of some of the hotel’s historic guests, from bullfighters to film stars like Rock Hudson and Kirk Douglas. Read expert review From £103per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hotel Castell d'Emporda
La Bisbal, Catalonia, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
This 14th-century castle, perched on a hilltop just outside the ceramic-making town of La Bisbal, has been lovingly converted into a tasteful four-star hotel offering excellent Catalan cooking, contemporary interiors and spectacular rural views. The Dutch owner, Albert Diks, has managed to maintain the original Rapunzel-like character of the castle while also making the whole place feel beautifully contemporary. Of the 57 rooms, those in the main castle building have spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and feature original rough-hewn stone walls. Those in the newer part have a more modern feel, with equally impressive views and the same luxurious decor. Read expert review From £86per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hostal Spa Empúries
Empúries, Catalonia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
With its sleek, contemporary interiors and seaside location, this is every inch the hip beach hotel. Next door to the sprawling Greco-Roman ruins of Empúries, the hotel sits directly on the wonderfully wild bay of Playa del Portitxol, with nothing more than wooded pines and a couple of xiringuitos (beach bars) for company. The original building still has the feel of a grand old hotel with high ceilings and an old-school, almost colonial air, while the new extension is all sleek, white Modernist rectangles. Huge glass picture windows flood the public areas with natural light while solar panels heat the building. The 53 rooms are split between the main building and a low-rise annexe near the spa. Read expert review From £78per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hotel Trias
Palamós, Catalonia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Grand old hotels with literary connections can sometimes be a little stuffy, but the excellent-value Hotel Trias is anything but. This stylish, family-friendly hotel is where Truman Capote stayed in 1960 while he finished In Cold Blood, and you can still stay in his glamorous, sea-view suite. A mix of white walls, warm tones, wooden floorboards, contemporary lighting and 1930s touches give this grand, spacious hotel a feel of an Art Deco liner brought stylishly up-to-date. The 83 rooms, which spread out over seven floors, are much larger than you’d expect for the price, with polished wooden floors and nautically themed navy-and-white décor with hints of Art Deco. Read expert review From £51per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Clipper Hotel & Villas
Torroella de Montgrí, Catalonia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
A great value, family-friendly hotel just yards away from the wonderfully wild Mas Pinell beach. The modern, light pink brick building is built around a central pool with palm trees; inside it’s simple, modern and comfortable without a self-consciously designed feel. The restaurant has crimson walls with large abstract oil paintings and glass doors opening out onto the pool terrace. The 39 rooms are spacious and décor is simple and modern with light wood, polished floors, light grey curtains and large abstract canvases on the walls. Japanese-style sliding doors serve as dividers between the hall and bathroom areas while bathrooms are spacious and spotlessly clean with baths, rather than showers. Read expert review From £63per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hotel del Teatre
Catalonia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
Just off the main square in the tiny, sleepy village of Regencós, this may feel remote, but the medieval town of Begur is about 10 minutes’ drive away, as are some of the loveliest coves and beaches of the Costa Brava. Converted from two 18th-century farmhouses and a theatre – hence the name – this place has taken the idea of the Catalan casa rural, or country house, and adapted it for well-heeled sophisticates, with a contemporary, slightly minimalist makeover. The seven rooms (including five suites) are a stylish mix of airy, Zen simplicity, 21st-century mod-cons and rustic beamed, vaulted ceilings. The hotel restaurant La Calèndula, which occupies the converted old theatre just over the road, is justly celebrated locally for its contemporary Catalan cuisine. Read expert review From £117per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hotel Galena Mas Comangau
Catalonia, Spain
9Telegraph expert rating
A small, converted farmhouse with exceptional food on the edge of the medieval town of Begur. It offers contemporary interiors with beamed ceilings, and chunky, exposed stone walls, attentive service, and an exceptional restaurant. The husband-and-wife owners have retained much of the original character of this 18th-century stone farmhouse whilst introducing their own warm, contemporary style, with quirky individual features in the rooms and hallway. The restaurant is excellent offering a contemporary take on traditional Catalan and Mediterranean dishes. There’s a superb wine list, with a good local and international selection. Gorgeous beaches and coastal walks are within 20 minutes’ drive. Read expert review From £86per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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La Costa Beach & Golf Resort
Pals, Catalonia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
This large, family-friendly hotel attached to the oldest golf course on the Costa Brava is also moments away from the sandy Pals beach. The smart adjoining golf course amidst beautiful pine woods is also just round the corner and you’re within a short drive of the medieval hilltop villages of Pals and Begur as well as many lovely small coves. Built in the Nineties in hacienda-style pink concrete; the overall feel is smart and modern with a slightly, old-school gentleman’s club air very much in keeping with its attachment to a golf course. This is especially true in the lounge areas with their low lighting, dark wood and dark leather in the lounge areas with old map prints on the walls. Read expert review From £103per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Hotel Sa Punta
Pals, Catalonia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
A smart, comfortable hotel two minutes from the award-winning sandy beach at Pals. The large lounge by the reception area has formal flower arrangements, a grand piano and pretty views to the gardens. The hotel restaurant is renowned in its own right for its excellent classic Catalan cuisine and extensive wine cellar and there are extensive gardens and a semi-Olympic pool. The thirty-three spacious rooms are bright and light with sliding glass doors opening out onto balconies. You’re very close to the lovely bay at Sa Riera, as well as several other gorgeous beaches and excellent local golf courses. Read expert review From £69per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
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Mas Ses Vinyes
Esclanya, Catalonia, Spain
8Telegraph expert rating
High up in the countryside near the medieval town of Begur, this smart, country hotel has wonderfully relaxing views. With its spa and infinity pool looking out to both the Gabarres and Montseny mountains as well as beautiful Costa Brava bays, this is very much a get-away-from-it-all retreat. Originally built in 1970 as a countryside hideaway for a prosperous Barcelona family, it has since been completely refurbished but there’s still a laid-back country house feel in parts. The large reception hall has arched ceilings with whitewashed walls, antiques, curved Art Deco style leather armchairs and Moroccan rugs with light jazz playing in the background. Read expert review From £86per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
