It’s impossible to talk about Cap Sa Sal without first delving into its illustrious past. Carved into a cliff in a quiet corner of the Costa Brava, the original crescent-shaped building was a glamorous hotel built in the 50s and frequented by Hollywood heartthrobs during the summers of the 60s - Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and Princess Grace all holidayed here. It’s also one of few boutique hotels with a claim to British espionage fame: the 1969 spy spoof Some Girls Do was filmed here.
Framed by swaying palm trees and craggy mountains, Cap Sa Sal now spreads across 3 separate buildings, all facing the shimmering Mediterranean Sea. The original structure has been converted into apartments, most of them privately owned, though happily 6 of the flagships (featured here) are available as stunning holiday rentals. Spacious and design-led, they exude creative flair; each is completely different, all but one work for families. Down among the pines, there's also a secluded villa for up to 12 (see below), and a modern adults-only hotel (see our separate review). While much has changed since Cap Sa Sal’s Hollywood heyday, some things have not: the secluded location backed by a forest of sloping pines continues to attract guests in search of tranquillity and nature-rich landscapes. Yet it's just a 5-minute drive to the medieval hilltop town of Begur, where the cobblestoned streets are lined with eateries and overlooked by a fairytale castle.
Highs
- Breathtaking sea views from all accommodation and the stunning pool, which is ingeniously set into the rocks
- An excellent on-site restaurant, with Mediterranean-inspired food
- Super-chic decor, especially in penthouse Privado, romantic Apartment 210, and the private villa, which has its own pool
- Electric bikes to hire; perfect for exploring the beautiful Costa Brava
- The communal areas of the original hotel are time capsules from the 50s and wonderfully atmospheric; there's a grand piano in one, and a secret tunnel to the beach!
Lows
- Note that a security deposit will be held against your card on arrival
- No supermarket within walking distance; the nearest is a 5-minute drive away (you'll need a car here but parking is included in the rates)
- The lovely open-plan kitchens could do with a few basic ingredients and more cooking utensils
- The beach is rocky though great for diving off and swimming/snorkelling
- The main lobby area, though impressive, feels a bit neglected
- Boutique Rentals
- 6 apartments for 2-6, and a villa for 12
- Self catering (restaurant on-site)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
It’s a quirky set-up at Cap Sa Sal. Today, the original 1950s building is a mix of hotel-owned apartments and private residences. The old foyer is a testament to the past – with hanging tapestries under its circular ceiling – and a great contrast to the ultra-modern apartments that spread across 3 floors. Each apartment has been completely remodelled, and features a mix of contemporary art, vintage pieces and recycled furniture (much of it gleaned from the hotel’s old restaurant), as well as clever use of lighting and tons of space.
It’s hard to believe that Apartment 210 was once the hotel’s nursery. Now it’s all sleek lines and stylish finds with a huge living/dining room and four bedrooms - fantastic for a group of friends or a large family. We loved the vertical wood-panelled walls and hall-like bathroom with a sexy black-tiled shower. Crema, for 2 + a child, is ultra-modern, with wood panelling and designer chairs. Twingo and Rose each sleep 4 in 2 bedrooms (good for families/friends); the former is Scandi chic, the latter white-washed and minimalist, with rose-coloured velvet sofas. Apartment 88 has 2 bedrooms, cheerful red and white decor, and a great terrace built into the rocks.
But the pick of the bunch is Privado (sleeping 6). Measuring an impressive 360m2, this 3-bedroom penthouse has panoramic sea views, a gorgeous mosaic floor and the ceiling is made from the wooden hulls of a boat (it’s seriously cool).
The Villa Resort is a standalone villa with 6 lovely bedrooms (4 of which can be twinned) and a private pool. Its decor is super-stylish and modern: earthy tones blend seamlessly with the spectacular setting outside, made a part of the villa thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows that feature throughout. Scandi-minimalism is intelligently used to allow you to relax and rejuvenate, letting the views take centre stage - though there is a grand piano if anyone fancies the spotlight.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
With open-plan kitchens, designer living spaces and stunning sea views, you’ll want to self-cater quite a bit (note, no basic ingredients are provided, so you'll need to buy everything, including salt, pepper, washing-up liquid etc). But if you're feeling lazy, walk a few minutes along the pine-shaded path to Hotel Cap Sa Sal's glass-encased restaurant surrounded by pine trees, overlooking the silvery sea.
Here, lunchtime and evening menus revolve around freshly caught fish (tuna tataki, octopus and kimchi, for example) and Mediterranean-influenced meat dishes (steak tartare and duck magret cannelloni). Outside, fairy lights are strewn across the ocean-facing terrace; it’s a romantic setting for an evening meal.
For a change of scene, Sa Tuna's restaurants are a 20-minute walk away, along the shoreline, and Begur is a 5-minute drive. Here you’ll find a good choice of eateries, ranging from renovated farmhouses to modern cafes and ice cream parlours. Everywhere we tried was very family friendly.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurant
- Toaster
Activities
- Swim in perfect blue waters: dive in from the rocks of Cap Sa Sal's beach; Cala D’Aiguafreda is a pretty inlet a quick walk from the apartments, and Platja Sa Tuna is the next beach up the coast (20 mins' walk)
- Explore the Costa Brava's idyllic landscapes by electric bike (you can hire them at the hotel reception). A choice of suggested routes will take you through paddy fields, into charming seaside villages, or along the foothills of the Pyrenees
- Try DO Empordá wines on a tasting tour at Celler Can Sais or Cellar Mas Oller, both set in picturesque countryside
- Take a full- or half-day boat excursion around the Costa Brava; its hidden coves are perfect for swimming
- Enjoy a bird’s eye view of Cap Sa Sal’s stunning surroundings on a hot-air balloon jaunt; ask at reception
- They can also help you ride horses along white-sand beaches, through wooded forests or up into the mountains
- Sample artisan cider at Mooma; this local cider house offers a tasting and breakfast package!
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Well being
Best Time to go
If it's total tranquility you’re after, come outside the peak summer season (July/August). May, early June and September are perfect times to visit; it’s still warm enough to swim in the sea, and if you’re lucky, you might have the beach all to yourself on weekdays.
Our Top Tips
We loved exploring the building's vast, warren-like structure and discovering clues to its Hollywood past. On the basement floor you’ll see vintage posters where the in-house beauty salon used to be, and a black-and-white photo collection of a young Rock Hudson and celebrity friends enjoying time at Cap Sa Sal. There’s also an old library on the ground floor which remains unchanged.
Location
Apartments Cap Sa Sal are part of a small resort - Cap Sa Sal - on Spain’s stunning Costa Brava coastline. There's also a modern hotel and restaurant. It's 5 minutes by car from the small town of Begur.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Girona (a 1-hour drive); Barcelona airport is also within striking distance (1 hour 45 minutes).
From the Airport
It is an easy drive from both airports. The apartments can arrange a transfer from Girona, but we'd advise you to hire a car, so you can explore the region. A parking space per apartment is included in the rates.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
More on getting to Catalonia and getting around
Airports:
- Girona 62.0 km GRO
- Barcelona 148.0 km BCN
Other:
- Beach 0.2 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km