Hostal Sa Rascassa

Rooms

Set above the restaurant, the 5 compact rooms are shabby-chic in style. Small bathrooms have huge showerheads (no baths) and bedrooms have views out to the thickly forested hillside. Floors are oak; furniture is artfully distressed. Being above the restaurant, in the evening, noise carries. If you want to go to bed early you may be disturbed by night owls drinking downstairs, particularly in the summer. Room 5 is closest to the sea and the kitchen, and at times can be a little noisier than the other rooms. But that said, we slept very well here on our visit.

In front of the rooms, there's a sweet shared terrace with a table and 2 chairs for each room. At one end there's a sightseeing area with sea views, and you can hear the waves at all times - they're just 50m away.

You get a raffia basket containing cherry-red beach towels, and you'll also find a bottle of shower gel, air-con and central heating for the cooler days, WiFi and a hairdryer. If you want a kettle, just ask. It's a simple set-up, but this isn't the kind of hotel where you'll spend much time in your room - you'll be out walking the coastline, swimming in the warm sea, investigating medieval villages or shopping in Begur's chi-chi boutiques.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• WiFi

Eating

Sa Rascassa is a restaurant first and a hotel second, serving breakfast to guests plus lunches and dinners to all. The menu is modern but unpretentious Catalan cuisine, and there's a well-chosen, nearly 100-strong wine list. In warmer months, you dine in a pretty walled gravel garden, which is such a romantic setting in the evenings - beautiful old euonymus trees twinkle with fairy lights, you can hear waves gently lapping the shore and tables are adorned with candles.

We feasted on clams, grilled ‘rascassa’ (scorpion) fish, and salad with jamón ibérico accompanied by excellent regional wines. The meal was a fantastic experience - the combination of delicious food, skillful service and a relaxed atmosphere (Oscar normally potters between tables, introducing himself and advising on wine) makes the restaurant worth a trip even if you're not staying here. For added entertainment, there's live flamenco on Wednesday nights.

On Tuesdays, when the restaurant is closed, there are plenty of other eateries nearby. Try the bistro at Hotel Aiguaclara in Begur (3km away), or the cocktails and tapas at Hotel Vintage, a short walk along the cliff. Or take one of the hotel's torches and walk 15 minutes along the cliff path to Sa Tuna, where you'll find 4 restaurants; Oscar will advise which to go for.

Breakfast is simple but just what you need after an indulgent dinner the evening before: coffee and fresh croissants served at your table, with a buffet of fruit, yoghurts, cereals and cold cuts waiting inside. Throughout the day, you can help yourself to a cold San Miguel from a pint-sized Smeg fridge at the small honesty bar.

Features include:

• Bar
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Go swimming in the cove, or bring a mask and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters
  
• Wander round the headland to Sa Tuna beach (a 15-minute stroll), or drive to Sa Riera, the best sandy beach in the area (5km away); there are beach towels in your room
  
• Oscar can provide maps showing hiking routes along the spectacular Costa Brava
  
• Walk up the forested hillside to Begur (3km away) and spend a day traversing the narrow streets and browsing chi-chi boutiques
  
• Ask Oscar for a list of chic towns to visit (we loved Cadaqués). The area is popular with upscale Barcelonans and there are several stylish spots nearby
  
• Play golf: this coast has plenty of courses to choose from, including a pitch-and-putt
  
• Hire a bike inland and cycle around Begur and its surrounds
  
• Investigate the medieval villages of Catalonia, with their winding streets and ancient churches
  
• Get lost in the Dalí Triangle, which includes the castle at Púbol, just 20 minutes' drive away
  
• Explore Catalonia's foodie heritage and take a tour of its most stunning restaurants; ask Oscar for his tips
  
• Spend a day in Girona, wandering along the riverfront and visiting the Jewish Quarter and cathedral

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming

Kids

Only children aged 12 and over are accepted.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hostal Sa Rascassa is hidden in a thickly wooded valley, just 50 steps from Aiguafreda cove and 3km from the town of Begur. It's around 45 minutes to an hour east of Girona in northeast Spain.

By Air
The nearest airport is in Girona (45km); Barcelona is also within striking distance (150km). Both are regularly served by budget airlines from across Europe; Barcelona is also served by many scheduled international flights from Europe and beyond.

From the Airport
It's an easy drive from both airports. The hotel can arrange a taxi transfer - see Rates - but you'll probably want to hire a car.

By Car
A car is recommended for exploring this region of Spain, even if you plan to simply stay here for a week and go to the beach every day. The hotel is approximately 45 minutes - 1 hour from Girona airport. See our car rental recommendations.

By Bus
If you don't drive, you can reach the hotel by taking a bus to Begur (service run by Sarfa), then a taxi for the remaining 3km to the hotel. It's a little isolated though, so it's better if you have your own transport.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.