Hostal de la Gavina Girona

In the early 1920s, Josep Ensesa i Gubert persuaded his father Josep Ensesa i Pujades, a successful industrialist from Girona, to buy the land that stretched from the bay of Sant Pol to the long Sa Conca beach, now known as S’Agaró. The name he chose was a clear reference to the Agaró stream that ran nearby.

His ambitious project of a garden-city overlooking the Mediterranean would become one of the most elegant and exclusive spots of the Catalan coast and visited by a large list of personalities from around the world. The jewel of his project was Hostal de La Gavina. Josep Ensesa Gubert, one of the most brilliant hosts in tourism in this country, set a legend.

His Hotel became the most luxurious in the area and one of the best in Spain and Europe. It was the first hotel in Spain to become member of the prestigious association Leading Hotels of the World.

Josep Ensesa Montsalvatge, his son, continued his fathers legacy by keeping the establishment at the highest level, and achieving that La Gavina was declared as a cultural site of national interest by the Government of Catalonia.

Currently the fourth generation of the Ensesa family, Julia, Virginia, Carina and Josep Ensesa Viñas are taking care of the Hotel with the same enthusiasm and commitment as their ancestors, converting the Hotel and S’Agaró in a unique and magnificent spot.

S’AGARO’ & LA GAVINA
The first house of the development, Senya Blanca, was constructed in 1922 and eight years later, on 2 January 1932, the Hostal de La Gavina opened its doors.

Both buildings were part of the seaside villas community that Josep Ensesa was building together with the architect Rafael Masó i Valentí, a renowned defender of traditional Catalan design that defined the character of S’Agaró with porticos, towers, terraces and low roof lines to create a colony for art lovers.

S’Agaró has grown slowly without ever losing sight of its origins. The Hostal de La Gavina has also been growing. Today, the 11 rooms have become 74, the hotel has been adding the seawater pool, a spa, restaurants and meeting facilities, but maintaining its original style and its historic heritage as on the first day. The old is mixed with the new in a subtle and timeless way..

FAMOUS GUESTS
S´Agaró and Hostal de La Gavina have been the stage and vacation spot for many personalities from the world of politics, culture and the arts. Since the early 1950s famous Hollywood movies like “Pandora” with Ava Gardner, “Suddenly Last Summer” with Elizabeth Taylor or “Mr. Arkadin” by Orson Welles were shot among others.

This made Hostal de La Gavina a meeting place of many famous movie stars and gave way to more recent actors like Sean Connery, Jack Nicholson or Robert De Niro.

On the political scene, La Gavina was frequented by world leaders such as Lord Selwyn Lloyd, former British Chancellor, in love with S’Agaró and the Ensesa family, or Clark Chichester Clark, former prime minister of Northern Ireland, Aziz Sedki vice prime Minister of Egypt or Giscard d’Estaing from France. It has also been visited by the Kings of Spain on several occasions.

Culture has been a protagonist of La Gavina’s history. Numerous artists, Nobel prize winners and other intellectuals have visited the Hotel not only for their holidays, but also as meeting point and for sound performances.

Salvador Dalí, Josep Pla, Placido Domingo, Josep Carreras, Camilo Jose Cela, Octavio Paz, Salvador de Madariaga among many others have passed through the Hotel as well as others more recently, such as Santana or Lady Gaga. After 85 years since that first day of 1932, the Hostal de La Gavina continues stronger and more present than ever its legend.

THE VILLA
For those who enjoy the feeling of independence, our villa offers an excellent option. Located on the grounds of the hotel, the Villa allows enjoying from the hotel services and facilities whenever necessary, and opting for independence at other times.

The main Villa has 2 bedrooms, with separate bathroom, own kitchen, a large living room with a beautiful sea view and a private yard. In the courtyard, there is a third bedroom with its own bathroom and it’s own separate entrance. The Villa offers total privacy and a terrace equipped with garden furniture.

THE ROYAL SUITE
Our main suite, the Royal Suite is a spectacular jewel in Louis XV style. The walls are decorated with wood and natural silks, adorned with magnificent Sevres vases that can only be found in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The genuine Bohemian candle-glass chandelier and the fabulous terrace overlooking the sea are definitely the distinction and highlights of the Suite.

JUNIOR SUITE
The 7 Junior Suites shine with character and elegance. Overlooking the gardens and the sea they are an authentic experience.

FAMILY ROOMS
Spacious accommodation with two bedrooms, one of them with a double bed and the other with two separate beds. Both rooms come with terrace. The Hotel has 4 rooms of this category, ideal for families with children.

CLASSIC
The 15 Classic rooms available in the Hotel overlook the beautiful gardens of its surroundings and have everything needed to provide the highest level of comfort.

GARBI RESTAURANT
Our poolside Garbi Restaurant offers the kind of meals that your body craves in the heat of the sun – light and healthy, representing the delights of the renowned Mediterranean diet. Tasty rice dishes, fresh fish from the market salty, grilled or from the oven, roast meat from the Josper oven and summer salads. Not to forget the famous dessert car with our homemade cakes.

CANDLELIGHT RESTAURANT
Completely renovated in 2016 the Candlelight restaurant by Romain Fornell represents the classic, romantic and elegant essence of Hostal de La Gavina. The menu, by Fornell, Michelin Star holder for Caelis in Barcelona, includes the reinterpretation of classic chefs like Escoffier and combines tradition and modernity in own creations.

Daring, instinct, balance and passion are the other pillars on which he bases its gastronomic philosophy. A wine cellar with over 200 wines from different origins welcomes the client. Candlelight also offers an intimate and very romantic terrace. Live piano music every night. Open every evening. “Smart casual” dress code is required.

EL BARCO
Cozy and comfortable room area next to the Hotel lobby overlooking the Candlelight patio. Menu with excellent assortment of tapas, salads, pastas, and sandwiches. In the evening it offers optional main courses of meat and fish. You can also enjoy this menu at the Gavina Terrace in the hotel gardens. Open daily from 12 to 00 h. Reservations are not allowed.

TERRAZA GAVINA 
Exceptional terrace in the gardens of the Hotel next to the main entrance. Surrounded by lush green spaces and overlooking the bay of S’Agaró. An ideal place for an aperitif, to eat or dine at any time of the day. Same menu as in the El Barco Restaurant. In summer the Hotel organizes weekly live music to accompany the sunset. Open every day from 12 to 00 h. Reservations are not allowed.

BLUE BAR PISCINA
Next to the swimming pool with spectacular sea views you can enjoy an extensive menu of drinks, natural juices, shakes, smoothies and ice creams. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m

BAR EL BARCO
Living history of the Hostal de La Gavina. Its interior style simulates a vintage boat and has been the scene of memorable evenings for 85 years. Hollywood artists and famous people from culture and politics have passed through here. An extensive menu of wines and spirits. Open every day from 16 a 00 h

VILA D’ESTE
Beautifully decorated majestic hall with a 17th century Aubusson tapestries and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. Here you can start your day with a full breakfast buffet and a show cooking egg station. Open every day from 7.30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

DRY MARTINI
Hostal de La Gavina has incorporated Javier de las Muelas, owner of the Dry Martini group, as director of cocktails and drinks of all the restaurant spaces of the Hostal de La Gavina and La Taverna del Mar.

Javier de las Muelas is a renowned leader in the world of cocktails. He is the owner and manager of cocktail bars in Barcelona, ​​Madrid, San Sebastián, Singapore, Hangzhou, Sorrento and Sant Luis Potosí among others.

His philosophy is to create unique experiences taking care of the sensations through genuine products within the world of gastronomy. His commitment to mixing tradition, class and elegance, with innovation and intelligent creativity, is the hallmark that characterizes him.

Javier de las Muelas and his team have prepared for this season a menu of specialties with recreations of the classics of international cocktails, their well-known signature cocktails -combined with signature recipes-, fresh fruit martinis, mojitos, pitchers, champagne cocktails and alcohol-free proposals like the one dedicated to La Gavina that bears his name.

Together with our gastronomic director, Romain Fornell, they will work together to offer a complete experience during your stay.

LA TAVERNA DEL MAR
La Taverna del Mar is located on the beach of Sant Pol, two minutes walk from the hotel. Its privileged position offers the best sea views of the entire beach and with its modernist and elegant style is a reference in the gastronomy of the area.

Specialities are rice, seafood and fresh Mediterranean wild fish. Open every day from June to September. The rest of the season, from March to November, closes on Tuesdays.

SPA
Located in front of the Mediterranean Sea, the Gavina Spa is the ideal place to disconnect and for relaxation. We offer a unique and privileged swimming area with magnificent views over the bay of S’Agaró, along with two spaces for massages and treatments, saunas and a small Technogym room.

Our menu offers a variety of beauty treatments both for men and women that include sensory and traditional massages, all created for the needs of our clients. Our professional staff will help you choose your moment of relaxation and purification.

VALMONT
Our recently inaugurated Spa by Valmont space, located in front of the hotel’s outdoor pool, where you can enjoy from our wide range of Valmont signature treatments and purchase your beauty products.

WELLBEING
At La Gavina, your wellbeing has become something of an obsession. Enjoy the tastes of a healthy Mediterranean diet and enjoy from a range of classes: yoga, aero-yoga, pilates and fitness, taught by the best and most dynamic instructors. Enjoy the magic of our magnificent outdoor spaces and a unique natural environment to reconnect.

SPORTS CLUB
At the La Gavina Sports Club you may request a more personal experience, where health experts can organize and manage your personal training to make sure you keep in shape during your holiday. Right on the beach of Sant Pol, just below the hotel, you can find water activities to enjoy like water skiing, kayak excursions or SUP.

WEDDINGS
Just an hour from Barcelona, ​​we offer the possibility of a civil wedding in our lush gardens with magnificent views of the sea, a personalized set-up or a religious ceremony in the private church “Nostra Senyora de l’Esperança” just a 2 minutes’ drive from the hotel. A neoclassical church built in 1924 on a small hillock near the sea, a beautiful church that forms the focal point of its environment, white and serene.

La Gavina offers you different spaces where you can taste our delicious appetizers: Outdoor in our homely garden or on our Garbí Terrace surrounding our fabulous saltwater swimming pool and overlooking the beach of S’Agaró, or in our Bay Bar Terrace, intimate and private, with a lovely light bar that accompanies the romantic lights of the bay of Sant Pol.

Continuing the celebration of your Wedding Day, you can enjoy a great feast, either outdoor dining (weather permitting) or indoors. Again our pool offers a pleasant setting for dinner in the light of the stars or in our Bay Bar Terrace, where friends and family will enjoy from a wonderful evening.

Not forgetting our magnificent lounge overlooking the Mediterranean with a capacity for 300 people, where you can celebrate your banquet and dance if you prefer.

CAMI DE RONDA
This coastal path of S’Agaró was built by Josep Ensesa Gubert and became the first section of this popular promenade through the entire Costa Brava. Here you will enjoy incredible sea views along with the most beautiful spots of the Costa Brava. This section runs from Sant Pol bay, by the Hotel, to Sa Conca beach.

BEACH
The Hotel is located between two of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Brava, the beach of Sant Pol and the beach of Sa Conca only accessed by hotel guests and residents of the community by car.

SHOPPING
At La Gavina’s Boutique, you will find swimwear, bathing items, along with women’s and men’s fashion you may like. The boutique carries local and international brands such as Sand, Max Mara, Castañer, Sardà, TCN, or Indi & Cold.

TENNIS
La Gavina Sports Club has two magnificent clay courts along with two paddle tennis courts that can be accessed through the garden. Ping-pong tables and mini football court are also available for use.

WELLNESS
At La Gavina, our client’s wellbeing has become much of an obsession. Immerse yourself in a deep, relaxing experience at the Spa, enjoy the tastes of a healthy Mediterranean diet, and keep your body moving with our new fitness offerings: yoga, aero-yoga, pilates, and several fitness classes.

All taught by the best and most dynamic instructors. You may also request a more personal experience at La Gavina Sports Club, where health experts can organize and manage your personal training to make sure you keep in shape during the holidays.

KID’S GAVINA
For the youngest members of the family, La Gavina Sports Club organizes daily activities such as swimming lessons, drawing classes, piano lessons, language learning… each organized by experienced staff who will at all times ensure the fun and safety of your little ones.

CHARMING VILLAGES
From beautiful medieval towns such as Pals and Peratallada to typical seaside towns such as Calella de Palafrugell or Cadaqués. The capital of the region, Girona, deserves a special visit.

CULTURE
The Empordà has always been a region of artists and relevant people in the local culture. You cannot miss a cultural visit to Girona, where you can admire cultural pearls like Salvador Dali’s Triangle or the Fishing Museum of Palamós.

GOLF
Only 10 minutes away from the Hotel you have two great golf clubs, Golf Costa Brava and Golf d’Aro. Both locations pride on their spectacular views. The eager learners can find the PGA Catalunya Resort, one of the best golf courses in Spain, only 20 minutes away.

CYCLING
La Gavina hires mountain and road bikes from Trek according to your preferences. The Hotel has designed multiple routes around the area of varying difficulties to practice this sport.

WATER ACTIVITIES
Right on the beach of Sant Pol, just below the hotel, you can find multiple water activities to enjoy any time of the day. From water skiing to scuba diving or snorkeling lessons, kite surfing, and kayak rentals. Boat rentals are also available, from small boats to large yachts.

GASTRONOMY & WINE
One of the main attractions of the Costa Brava, globally recognized, is its gastronomy and its wine. The area offers up to 16 Michelin-stars awarded restaurants. Likewise, the Empordà D.O encompasses a good number of excellent wineries that each year improve their production with quality Mediterranean wine. Some of these wineries such as the Celler Bell-Lloc can be visited by guests of Hostal de La Gavina as they please.

Rooms: 74

Price: from 258 EUR per night

Source: www.lagavina.com