Perched on the Mediterranean coast in northern Spain, Hostal de La Gavina transports guests once more to the glamorous heyday of the Costa Brava. Opened as a family-run ‘hostal’ with 11 rooms in 1932, it was a Hollywood hideaway inside the Nineteen Fifties and even turned a film set for Liam Neeson’s Nineteen Thirties detective film Marlowe.
Black-and-white pictures of well-known former guests resembling Elizabeth Taylor set the tone to your maintain. In the meanwhile La Gavina’s 74 rooms and suites retain their luxe glamour, with polished parquet flooring, silk upholstery, Venetian Murano glass lamps and Italian marble bogs. It’s easy to actually really feel identical to the star in your private movie proper right here.
You’ll moreover get hold of star remedy from the resort’s helpful employees – whether or not or not you’re breakfasting on the terrace or stress-free by the skin pool with views over the bay of S’Agaró. There’s moreover an indoor pool at Gavina Spa, a haven of tranquillity with sauna, massages and signature Valmont magnificence treatments.
Beside the ocean
Feeling energetic? Water sports activities actions along with kayaking, paddle-boarding and water-skiing occur on Sant Pol seaside, barely beneath the resort. Or simply take a soothing stroll alongside the beachfront, beside jaunty rows of white traditional seaside huts.
Make a beeline for La Taverna del Mar, merely two minutes’ stroll from the resort, with its breezy white-and-blue interiors and wonderful sea views. Open from June to September, the fluctuate of latest seafood dishes proper right here accommodates tuna and turbot ceviche, salt-crusted sea bass and Catalan specialities resembling squid with artichoke and asparagus.
After lunch head for the Camí de Ronda coastal path, which begins on the foot of Hostal de La Gavina and is part of the Mediterranean Path (GR92). This long-distance trekking route crosses Catalonia from Cap de Creus to the Montsià mountain fluctuate on the border with Valencia. Observe the coast throughout the small Punta d’en Pau peninsula on a path lined with pines and tamarind timber.
A mode of Catalonia
Candlelight restaurant
For individuals who’ve labored up an urge for meals, La Taverna del Mar is just one among many consuming decisions at La Gavina. Anticipate mild Mediterranean dishes on the poolside Garbí Restaurant or go to El Barco for tapas and sandwiches. Nevertheless a highlight of your maintain will probably be a decadent dinner at Candlelight, with its menu devised by Romain Fornell, chef at Michelin-star Caelis in Barcelona.
Fornell’s creative tasting menu choices seasonal dishes and splendid substances. Suppose canapés of crispy hen pores and pores and skin with shrimps and bone marrow; white asparagus with beurre blanc and caviar; or tortellini of langoustine and foie gras. Meals is paired with bottles from an in depth wine itemizing showcasing native wines from Catalonia – along with a implausible selection of Cava and Corpinnat sparklers – plus completely different Spanish areas.
Meals and wine will probably be a star attraction of your go to to the Costa Brava. The world is residence to 18 Michelin stars, along with three-star El Cellar de Can Roca in shut by Girona. The resort can put together culinary excursions of the city to find the native delicacies.
Look out for the sign ‘flequers artesans’ which indicators shops and cafes offering native artisan substances and dishes. Get your hands on xuixo – breakfast buns filled with crema Catalana, which might be a Girona speciality. Don’t miss the colorful market – and when you’ll be able to’t get a desk at El Cellar de Can Roca, drop by Rocambolesc ice cream retailer for an fairly priced model of Jordi Roca’s sensational desserts.
Wines and vineyards
For wine lovers, Hostal de La Gavina makes an outstanding base to find the vineyards and wineries of DO Empordà. Bordering France, the winemaking proper right here has lots in widespread with its French neighbour Roussillon. Garnatxa and Samsó (Carignan) – every purple and white – are the commonest grapes.
The resort will put together bespoke visits to native wineries resembling Clos d’Agon, which is barely a 20-minute drive away. Vineyards proper right here have been planted in 1989 by the winery’s genuine Franco-Belgian owners, who launched French varieties Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne, plus worldwide grapes resembling Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
In the meanwhile Peter Sisseck consults and the partaking Miguel Coronado makes the wines – which don’t use the DO title given that grapes aren’t authorised by DO legal guidelines. Benefit from a picnic among the many many vines, with bottles resembling Viognier-Marsanne combine Valmaña and excessive rosé Alba del Tinar, a mixture of Grenache Gris and Cabernet Franc.
Further north is Terra Remota, owned by Marc and Emma Bournazeau-Florensa. This 54ha pure property moreover has vineyards planted with French and worldwide grapes. Look out for its signature purple Camino, a mixture of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. A winery tour and tasting costs €22, whereas a picnic with wines inside the vineyard is €26.
From the vineyards of Empordà to the Michelin stars of Girona and seashores of S’Agaró, a maintain at Hostal de La Gavina showcases all the Costa Brava has to produce.
Prices from €380 (£324) per night for a Superior Double Seaview Room, along with breakfast. For more information, see the Hostal de La Gavina site.