Castell d'Empordà

Style

Catalan castle cool

Setting

Costa Brava countryside

Sandwiched splendidly between the Pyrenees peaks and the Costa Brava’s cliffs and coves, mediaeval Castell d’Empordà is a Catalan ruin that has been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel. East of Girona, in the Catalan countryside, this romantic retreat includes rooms in the castle – once home to an explorer who sailed with Christopher Columbus, and almost purchased by Salvador Dali – and is fittingly strewn with exotic treasures from across the globe.

Facilities

Rooms

57, including nine suites.

Checkout

11am; earliest check-in, 3pm.

More Details

Rates are room only, but meals can be purchased at the property for €65 per person, per day (€15 for breakfast and €50 euros for dinner).

Also

Ask staff to point you in the direction of Begur, a Historic municipality comprising a 17th-century castle, the pretty village Esclanyà and half a dozen of the area's best beaches. The Romanesque centre is worth wandering around too.

Hotel Closed

The hotel closes for the winter from November to March each year.

Free Internet Access

Laundry

Pool

On-Site Restaurant

At the Hotel

Gardens, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: flatscreen TV and minibar.

Our Favourite Rooms

If, like Forster, you’re after a room with a view, book a bijou boudoir in the Tower (no bath, though). The Castle rooms are the exposed-stonework real deal, with hand-made floor tiles from Marrakech, patchwork-hide rugs and dramatic views, to be enjoyed from cushioned window seats in some rooms. Stained glass windows draped in Indian silk, a Victorian bathtub and antique Tibetan rugs lend opulence to the palatial Suite Pere Margarit by Dutch designer Menno Kroon. Look out for the fabulous whale-tail shelf. The Garden suite rooms are equally impressive, perched on a hillside, will balconies overlooking the Emporda fields.

Poolside

There’s a turquoise-tiled outdoor pool in the gardens, overlooking the green-gold scenery. A second pool is located above the Dali rooms, with an impressive sunset terrace for a poolside tipple, or two.

Packing Tips

Bring a pair of comfortable shoes for treks to medieaval villages such as Peratallada, 5km away, or hopping on the hotel's fleet of (adult-only) bikes. Relic hunters should pack their most elastic plastic to flex, in anticipation of the area’s pottery and collectibles. Remember a jumper for cooler nights.

Also

Rooms and suites are no smoking, but guests can light up on their balcony or terrace. Common areas and one Garden Suite are wheelchair accessible, though there are stairs upon entrance.

Children

Little Smiths are welcome, with cots provided free, extra beds for €50 a night.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Sit out on the terrace – enjoy a lazy lunch in the shade by day and admire the twinkling lights from distant towns by night.

Dress Code

Channel flamenco-glam for evening, light and layered during daylight hours.

Hotel Restaurant

The hotel has two restaurants. In Drac, a dramatic bull’s-head sculpture on the wall keeps watch over proceedings in the sensual gothic dining room. Black silk drapes lie sleekly against the rough, nougat-coloured stone walls, glossy jet chandeliers drip from the ceilings and tabletop candles flicker amid the dark expanse. Offerings are Spanish with global influences – be sure to try the signature tuna sashimi dish. Tres Magarit is set on the hotel's terrace and thus has sigh-worthy views of the Emporda valley and the 14th-century castle. Here, you'll dine on tapas, sizzling seafood and Josper-grilled meats.

Hotel Bar

The Cava Del Drac, housed in the old wine cellar, is – while more of a lounge than bar – a suitably historic and dramatic drinking den. Sit among the vaulted stone ceilings on low, slouchy sofas in neutral shades and admire the decor, inspired by a ’50s Parisian jazz bar. Small, curved tables sparkle with tea lights and a relaxed soundtrack of laid-back lounge music will fill any gaps in conversation. Leave no alcove unturned; there is a bounty of books on art, wine, history and so forth to enjoy with a glass of tempranillo.

Last Orders

10.30pm for dinner; the bar is open noon until midnight. Grab breakfast between 8am to 10.30am; lunch from 1pm to 3.30pm and dinner from 3.30pm to 8pm in Tres Magarit; or dinner from 8pm to 10.30pm in Drac.

Room Service

There’s no room service but the restaurant is sure to cater to your culinary needs.

Planes

Ryanair flies from 11 UK airports to Girona-Costa Brava Airport, 40 minutes from La Bisbal by taxi (www.ryanair.com).

Trains

Take the Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) from London to Paris mid-afternoon; then take the evening Barcelona-bound train from Gare d’Austerlitz and wake up in Girona (www.raileurope.co.uk).

Automobiles

Exits 5 to 9 of the A-7 motorway access the region from Barcelona to the south, Perpignan to the north.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

Climb the hotel’s narrow staircase to the watchtower and soak up the magnificent 360-degree views; on a clear day, you’ll be able to admire the glittering sea below. History buffs should explore the hotel’s Napoleon Hall, where owner Albert has painstakingly recreated the battle of Waterloo, based on a map drawn by his great-great-grandfather and featuring more than 2,000 miniature antique figurines. Wander into the property’s olive orchard and stray on to the paths threading through the surrounding countryside, discover the beautiful porticoed homes in the surrounding Medieval village. The streets of La Bisbal are lined with shops selling pottery and antiques. If you like the ceramics dotted around the hotel, buy your own to take home from Vila Clara. The shop is family-run and has been perfecting its trade over the last 50 years. Bargain-hunters will love the vibrant markets, held every Friday in La Bisbal and on Sundays in nearby Palafrugell. For culture vultures, Catalonia has the Dalí Triangle to explore: this trio of sights includes the Theatre-Museum in Figueres, the House-Museum in Portlligat and the Castle Museum in Púbol.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .