'All you need is love / love is all you need' reads the banner in the hall, and it's obvious that lots of love and attention have been poured into this hotel. When Joan and Clara moved here from Barcelona with their family 10 years ago, they didn't employ legions of interior designers and stylists - they put their individual sense of style to work in creating something quite unique.
From the mismatched colourful retro furniture in the bistro-style restaurant to the fairy lights and bright green hanging egg chair in the garden, this place has boho chic by the bucket load. Originally built by a merchant who returned to Begur from Cuba in the 19th century, history hasn't been papered over: bright tiles cover the hall floor, the ceilings are gloriously high, and the large doors on each level display prints of 19th-century Begur.
This is a great base for exploring Catalonia. Just 5km away down a winding road bisecting pine-covered hills you'll find several beaches with bars and gin-clear water; pretty Girona is a 50-minute drive away, and some of the region's loveliest restaurants are an easy stroll from your front door.
Highs
- Begur itself, a pretty medieval town perched high on a hilltop with winding, cobbled streets
- Great prices, especially because the bedrooms are all huge, with cool, quirky details; some have outdoor space, too
- The décor: you won't find it anywhere else, though there's a flea market shop on site so you can buy bits to imitate the style back home
- The atmosphere: young, friendly, relaxed and cool
- Great for families, with spacious rooms and communal areas, and lots of beach toys and beach towels to borrow
Lows
- Driving in Begur isn't fun - the narrow streets and one-way system are stressful
- No pool, but there are fantastic beaches a short drive away
- There's no lift
- The nearby church bells are loud
- We don't recommend the Junior Double, which is downstairs and prone to noise
- Baby cots
- High chairs
Some equipment may need to be requested in advance
A baby monitor should work in the building from rooms to the restaurant, but it may depend on what floor your room is on and what brand you use. Request a first-floor room if possible.
A few child-pleasers are on the menu, including lasagne. The kitchen is happy to deal with any requests if made in good time. You may want to ask for an earlier dinner - the restaurant otherwise doesn't open until 7.30pm. There are plenty of places to eat in Begur.
- Hanging egg chair in garden
- Basket of beach toys and towels for the beach
- Kids' concierge - Clara and Joan can advise on activities nearby
- Bikes to hire
- Snorkelling and swimming in the sea
- Beaches nearby
- Walk to the ruined castle at the top of the hill for great views of Begur
- Boutique Hotel
- 10 rooms + 1 apartment for 4
- Restaurant (seasonal opening hours; restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- 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
- Concierge Service
- Bicycles Available
Rooms
The hotel has 10 rooms and a self-contained apartment next door. In terms of décor, each room is unique, created by a different interior designer; they are spread over the ground, first and second floors, some with terraces or balconies.
We were gobsmacked with the space. Our Superior Double room, Sa Lucanna, was easily twice the size we'd expected, so don't feel you need to upgrade. It contained a queensize bed, a smart TV, a mid-century writing desk, built-in wardrobe and shuttered Cuban-style windows. The compact tadelakt bathroom had a giant rain shower and there was also a mini balcony.
The sheer size was delightful, and this, added to the extensive communal areas in the hotel, made me think we could easily stay for a week to 10 days with our family.
Since our visit, they've added a spacious Apartment next door to the hotel. There's no kitchen, but you do get a large terrace, lounge and dining area, a double bedroom and a twin - perfect for families who want extra space to relax.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Central heating
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- In-room treatments available
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
'Fet amb love' is a motto throughout the hotel - 'made with love' - and the restaurant is no different. In it you'll be served a breakfast buffet (all the usuals plus some Spanish touches including mini portions of tortilla) and dinner on various nights. Lunch is not served - it's presumed that you'll eat out and there are numerous places to choose in Begur and beyond.
Dinner is great value for a set menu or individual dishes. I had baked sea bream served with sweet juicy celery, tomato and aubergine, preceded by a spicy curry and pumpkin soup. The bistro-style food is far better than the casual yet funky décor suggests, and the wine and coffee are of great quality.
Dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday in the summer and Wednesday to Saturday in the winter. However, with some of the region's best restaurants in town, this is hardly a problem. Rostei, a Catalan restaurant in Begur, is highly recommended, along with the stunning Sa Rascassa, another Catalan restaurant a short drive down the hill on the beach at Aiguaclara. There are also great tapas joints and seafood restaurants in town; reception can advise.
The hotel doesn't have a bar but does have 2 honesty bar stations, one downstairs in the lounge and one by the restaurant. The restaurant has jazz nights on summer evenings from 10 to midnight.
Features include:
- Honesty bar
- Kids' meals
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Vegetarian options
Activities
- Relax in the hotel with a leisurely breakfast, read the international newspapers, wander the medieval streets and boutiques of Begur at your leisure, then return to the hotel for an in-room massage
- Walk up to the ruined and partially rebuilt castle at the top of the hill for sensational views of the coastline
- Grab the hotel's beach towels, snorkelling gear and buckets and spades and head to the beach at Sa Tuna, Sa Riera or Aiguaclara, all within 5km
- Go cycling or walking in the national parks nearby, especially beautiful in spring and autumn; reception can organise bike hire
- Spend an afternoon exploring Girona's Jewish Quarter and architectural treasures, including its cathedral
- Spend 2 days tracing the Dalí Triangle around Figueres, Cadaqués and Púbol. Gala’s Castle, his former home in Púbol, is the closest attraction
- Ask Joan or Clara about booking a diving course, boat trip or snorkelling
- Play golf on one of the numerous courses along the coast
- Visit medieval towns and cruise around the countryside with its impressive crusader castles on impossibly high hills
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Scuba diving courses
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Well being
Best Time to go
Rather than high summer, we'd suggest coming in either spring or autumn when weather can be fantastic yet beaches are quiet and roads are navigable. Both are a good time for walking and cycling. It can be unbearably hot - and busy - here in August. The hotel is closed annually from 11 December until the second weekend in February.
Our Top Tips
If retro-stylings are your kind of thing, leave plenty of room in your suitcase. Clara's flea market shop was set up because so many guests loved the hotel's style and wanted to imitate it at home.
Hire as small a car as you can bear for exploring this area. When you see the car park you'll know why manoeuvrability is more important than space; we'd hate for a little bump to ruin your holiday...
Hire as small a car as you can bear for exploring this area. When you see the car park you'll know why manoeuvrability is more important than space; we'd hate for a little bump to ruin your holiday...
Location
Hotel Aiguaclara is in the centre of Begur, a small town on the Costa Brava in northeast Spain, under an hour east of Girona and 2 hours from Barcelona.
By Air
The nearest airport is in Girona; Barcelona airport is also within striking distance. Both are regularly served by budget airlines from across Europe; Barcelona is also served by many scheduled international flights from Europe and beyond. Click on the link below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
It is an easy drive from both airports. The hotel can arrange a transfer from Girona (50-minute drive), but most guests hire a car.
By Train/Bus
You can reach the hotel by public transport. There is a bus station in Begur (service run by Sarfa), from where you can walk to the hotel. The closest train station is Girona. Visit Renfe for detailed timetables; it takes just over an hour by train to reach Girona from Barcelona, and from here you can take a taxi.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Catalonia and getting around
Airports:
- Girona 60.0 km GRO
- Barcelona 170.0 km BCN
Other:
- Beach 2.5 km
- Shops 0.5 km
- Restaurant 0.5 km