Hostal de La Gavina

Hostal de La Gavina: A Timeless Costa Brava Grand Dame with Enduring Charm

Hostal de La Gavina, a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property on Spain's Costa Brava, consistently receives high praise for its enchanting old-world elegance, spectacular location, and dedicated service, offering guests a truly unique and memorable experience. Opened in 1932, this five-star Grand Luxe resort has long been a favored retreat for international jet setters and celebrities, retaining an air of nostalgic luxury.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive, with an average score of 8.9 out of 10 from over 400 verified ratings, often described as "excellent" or "very good". Many express a strong desire to return, highlighting the hotel's special ambiance and exceptional qualities. While there are minor criticisms, the overarching sentiment is one of deep appreciation for its unique character and luxurious offering.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Hostal de La Gavina:

• Location & Views: The hotel's prime position on a peninsula between two secluded bays, offering stunning sea views, is frequently cited as a major draw.
• Design & Charm: The property's unique charm, traditional Spanish architecture, and meticulously maintained grounds with Mediterranean gardens are highly appreciated. The public areas are grand, featuring vast tapestries, chandeliers, and antique furniture, creating a "home-from-home" luxurious vibe.
• Amenities: The super outdoor pool, heated indoor pool, spa facilities (including hammam, hot tub, gym, and relaxation area with sea views), and tennis club are significant highlights.
• History: The hotel's rich history, having hosted numerous personalities since the 1950s, adds to its allure.

3. Room Quality

The 74 rooms and suites at Hostal de La Gavina are individually decorated, reflecting its elegant past with classic décor, luxury fabrics, and antique furniture. Rooms vary from restrained Mediterranean styles with white stucco walls and tile floors to more opulent ones adorned with patterned silks and gold trim. They are generally airy, benefitting from ample sunlight, and often feature large windows, air conditioning, minibars, and satellite TV. Suites can be quite sprawling, with some offering private terraces and sea views. While the old-world charm is celebrated, some guests have noted that older furniture can creak, and some rooms might benefit from a decor refresh, though overall the interiors are considered wonderfully nostalgic. Italian marble bathrooms are a luxurious touch.

4. Dining Experience

Hostal de La Gavina offers a range of dining experiences:

• Candlelight by Romain Fornell: This gastronomic restaurant, with a menu devised by Michelin-star chef Romain Fornell, is a highlight for many. It offers a creative tasting menu featuring seasonal and luxury ingredients. However, one guest found the lighting to be too bright, feeling "anything but candlelit".
• Garbí Restaurant: Located poolside, Garbí serves light Mediterranean lunches.
• La Taverna del Mar: A seafront tavern a short walk from the hotel, particularly praised for its fresh seafood and wonderful views and staff.
• Vila D'Este: This is where the breakfast buffet is served, often described as phenomenal and excellent. Room service breakfast, delivered by a gloved butler, is also highly commended as a "truly one of the best room service experiences".
• Other Options: The Gavina Terrace offers meals and cocktails in summer, while El Barco bar is known for tapas and sandwiches. The Blue Bar Piscina provides poolside drinks with unrivaled views.

5. Service & Staff

The staff generally receives very positive feedback, with a high rating of 9.3 for staff quality. Guests frequently describe them as extremely friendly, helpful, cooperative, and efficient, especially in the hotel lobby. The service is often cited as a key reason for a happy trip. However, some guests have noted that staff at the outside restaurant had difficulty speaking English, leading to communication challenges. There was also a reported instance of unsatisfactory handling of a car scratching incident in the parking lot where the lack of cameras and an absence of apologies or offers from the hotel disappointed a guest.

6. Location & Accessibility

Hostal de La Gavina boasts an ideal and spectacular setting in S'Agaró on the Costa Brava, situated on a small peninsula between two sandy beaches. It offers easy access to the public walk, beaches, water activities, cafes, and restaurants. The hotel is approximately 17 miles (30 minutes drive) from Girona Airport and about an hour's drive (62-65 miles) from Barcelona. Figueres, Salvador Dalí's birthplace, is also about an hour away. The area around the hotel is described as a pretty, upscale neighborhood.

7. Value & Pricing

While specific price ranges were not consistently available across all sources, a superior double seaview room was noted to be around €380 (£324) per night, including breakfast. Guests generally perceive the hotel as a luxurious escape, and while some reviews acknowledge it as expensive, the overall experience often justifies the cost, with many guests feeling "utterly spoiled" and considering it a worthwhile treat. The hotel's 5-star Grand Luxe status and its membership in "The Leading Hotels of the World" further indicate its premium pricing.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the overwhelmingly positive feedback, some recurring issues or criticisms have been mentioned:

• Room Comfort: A few guests reported old and uncomfortable mattresses and creaky old headboards in some rooms.
• Dining Ambiance: The lighting in the Candlelight restaurant was found to be too bright by one guest, detracting from the intended romantic atmosphere. The outside cafe's dinner menu was described as limited for a light dinner.
• Service Inconsistency: While overall staff is praised, some guests experienced difficulties with English communication from outside restaurant staff.
• Parking Security: A significant complaint involved a car being scratched in the hotel's parking lot, with the guest disappointed by the lack of cameras and the hotel's unhelpful response.
• Amenities for Children: One guest reported being provided a playpen instead of a crib for a small child, which was inconvenient.

Overall, Hostal de La Gavina remains a cherished destination for those seeking a luxurious and historically rich experience on the Costa Brava, offering a blend of classic elegance, stunning natural beauty, and attentive service, even with a few minor areas for improvement.

Sources

1. connectingtravel.com
2. theseptemberchronicles.com
3. decanter.com
4. booking.com
5. kayak.com
6. booking.com
7. lhw.com
8. michelin.com
9. lagavina.com