Hostal Empuries
Platja de Portitxol s/n, Correos 174, L'escala, Spain, 17130
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#6 of 40
expert-rated hotels in Costa Brava- Recommended for:
- Couples, Families with teenagers, Families with younger children, Foodies, Honeymooners, Escaping the crowds, Great views / scenery, History, Relaxation, Romance
Best for Escapists - Expert review of Hostal Empuries
Uninterrupted sea views in a smart mix of eco-chic and traditional seaside grandeur.
Originally built in the 1900s to house the archaeologists who discovered the nearby Roman ruins, this place was taken over a few years ago by a young couple who’ve transformed it into a classy mix of traditional sea-side hotel and minimalist, eco-sustainable chic. This is a real, getting-away-from-it-all, kind of place.
Location:
On its own on Portitxol beach – a completely unspoilt, broad sandy bay. There are other, lovely beaches a short drive away around L’Escala, and you’re also less than an hour from the Dalí museums at Cadaques and Figueres. The Roman and Greek ruins at Empúries, one of the Costa Brava’s major historical sights, are also just down the road.
Bedrooms:
You can choose between rooms in the main, old building (36 in all, including family rooms) and the ten newly-built rooms by the spa (eight doubles/twins and two family rooms). The ‘spa’ rooms all have chic, contemporary furnishings with warm, chocolate browns, blacks and dark woods, flat-screen TVs, and terraces with views across the ‘eco’ gardens to the sea. I personally prefer the ones in the old building, which have got floor-to-ceiling French windows opening out onto the balconies (either with sea views or to the other gardens) and have a more, traditional, albeit simple, airy, seaside feel about them.
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Public areas:
There’s a ground floor lounge area with a wood-burning stove, traditional, white comfy sofas, parlour palms, high ceilings and original tiled floor, as well as a library with Chesterfield armchairs and sea views.
Eating and drinking:
Two restaurants – the more formal Restaurante Portitxol at Hostal d'Empuries (click on the link for a separate review), and the Bistro de Mar for breakfast and lunch buffets. Both have huge picture windows looking out to the sea, and pride themselves on using locally sourced, seasonal produce. Breakfast is a splendid buffet affair served in the Bistro de Mar, with a great selection of fresh fruit, the hotel’s own home-made breads and pastries, fresh fruit, cold cuts and local cheeses as well as coffees, teas and herbal teas.
Leisure facilities:
A games room with a billiards table. At weekends, there’s also a ‘Kids’ Club’ with a staffed children’s play area. The hotel can also arrange bicycle rental as well as speed-boat and schooner hire.
Service:
Efficient and friendly.
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Who stays there:
European and American couples and families mostly.
Price advice:
Stay during the week and you get free entry to the ruins nearby.
Pros:
Sea views
Eco-friendly
Excellent restaurant
Cons:
Slightly isolated in the evenings without a car
More information on Hostal Empuries:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- Platja de Portitxol s/n, Correos 174, L'escala, Spain, 17130
- Free tags / Keywords:
- sustainable, eco-friendly, green
- Amenities:
- Business Centre, High-Speed Internet, Parking, Pets Allowed, Restaurant
