Situated deep in the Catalan countryside, framed by the Pyrenees mountain range, this honey-coloured patrician villa appears like a mirage as you approach via a dusty driveway, past acres of green. A dramatic fountain at the entrance sets the tone for an opulent stay. Inside the main hotel, 16 contemporary-style rooms are spread across two floors; there’s also a central courtyard and a spa. But it doesn't end there. Steps away is Villa Maria, offering more traditional country-style rooms within the original 14th-century farmhouse building, while neighbouring Villa Ana features a modern studio and a family room. Vintage ornaments are peppered throughout all three buildings, courtesy of the French owner, Olivier Mitterand (nephew of ex-president, François).
A stay at Casa Anamaria Hotel is the perfect antidote to busy urban life: birdsong was the soundtrack to our days here, and perfectly manicured gardens feature plenty of shaded nooks to sit and relax in; it's impossible not to take in the tranquillity of it all. With a pool, tennis court, restaurant and 22,000sqm of gardens, it’s tempting not to leave the hotel - and many guests don’t - though medieval towns, the Costa Brava’s prettiest coves and world-famous cycle routes are a strong pull. You're among Catalonia's greatest treasures here but you're safely tucked away from the crowds.
Highs
- All the green space: over 60 acres of gardens, woods and fields, plus pine and oak trees lining a shimmering saltwater pool
- Option of booking the spa for private 1-hour sessions - and i-escape guests get 50% off
- Staff are as friendly as they are helpful: you feel very welcome here
- The fine-dining restaurant, which serves Catalan dishes with a modern twist and veggies grown in the garden
- The location near Costa Brava beaches, medieval towns and Salvador Dali hotspots
Lows
- The restaurant doesn’t feature light, inexpensive options, though the pool bar does (open in summer only). The nearest alternatives are a 20-minute drive away (not so easy with young kids)
- You’ll need a car – or a bike – to get here and explore the surrounding area
- Rooms in the villas have a different look and feel to the main hotel rooms - no less attractive, but more rustic
- This area is known for the Tramuntana wind, so you get higher than average windy days
Best time to go
Spring is a perfect time to visit, when the garden's plants and flowers are in full bloom and before the summer's intense heat. June-August is busy on the Costa Brava, but you're away from the crowds here in this verdant setting. Alternatively, come in September/October, when it's still warm enough for Costa Brava beach days which you can enjoy without peak summer crowds. The hotel closes for a month in January/February.
Our top tips
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests
The staff were absolutely excellent, polite and couldn't do enough for us. The general manager and the sommelier / restaurant manager are such beautiful souls. The hotel was clean, classy and creatively adorned with beautiful things. The pool was super clean and well attended, the grounds are delightful. What a find. We want to keep it a secret though!
Spa area was limited for the separate charge and not worth the money in our opinion. Hotel was very quiet - this was nice in some ways but meant specialist staff (such as barman) not on duty. Overall - very nice location and beautiful place.
The room was nice, cozy and I appreciated the extra bed for our son. The food was decent, but we thought it was expensive and menu limited. There were no veg options and while they tried to accommodate, a plate of plain pasta and side of veggies for $30 is a bit much. I was grateful for your discount on the spa because that too is expensive for a warm water pool and sauna. We felt it should be included in the stay. Also, would be nice if rooms had working fridge and provided a kettle for tea and coffee. Anyway guess the appeal of the place is summer time and pool. They were very nice and accommodating.
Oh! Casa Anamaria! I wish I could keep it a secret, honestly. A part of me doesn’t want to tell you how wonderful this place is for fear that it will become too busy and we’ll never manage to get a booking again! Easy to travel to, we parted ways with the masses heading to the beach at Girona Airport and took a taxi for about 30 minutes into the hills. We decided against hiring a car because we were on a short trip and just wanted to stay put for a few days - and Casa Anamaria makes it very easy to stay put! The pool is exceptional! The food in itself is a five-star vacation for your mouth! The service was like none we have experienced elsewhere - warm, welcoming, and had real integrity. We lazed in the beauty of the place, with well-tended gardens and interiors, and hung out in the spa or the pool and took some massage treatments, which were out of this world. We fell in love with each other all over again and fell in love with Casa Anamaria. We talk about it often and will return again and again. It’s a special place, but if you visit…keep it a secret!
This was a lovely retreat in the foothills of the mountains our fly by stay did not do its location or ambience justice and we would love to return.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape