Taking great care to respect the history of this 17th century building in the old town of Palafrugell, Catalan couple Alfred and Lourdes have turned what was once a shoemaker’s workshop, then a pharmacy, into a restorative retreat with serious eco-credentials. From the high-tech heating system to the use of sustainable materials, there’s no greenwashing here. The point of Can Mascort, they explain, is for tired guests to leave feeling energised – and this was certainly our experience, thanks to premium beds, organic homemade breakfasts, and hosts that truly make you feel at home. The chlorine-free caldarium with its vaulted stone ceilings and eco-friendly heating system offers another way to unwind.
There’s no chance of the eco-angle detracting from design details here, though. Lourdes comes from a 5-star hospitality background, and you can tell – every piece of locally-sourced furniture has been meticulously selected and stylishly put together; including the carefully curated gifts on sale in the boutique, housed in the beautifully refurbished old pharmacy. The best bit? Too many to choose from, but the location’s a strong contender: Can Mascort is in the heart of the Costa Brava – the jewel in Catalunya’s crown, with its picturesque beaches, world-famous cycling trails, foodie hotspots and perfectly preserved medieval towns.
Highs
- We loved the eco-friendly ethos that is at the heart of everything here
- The warm welcome from Alfred and Lourdes, who are always happy to help
- Palafrugell’s picturesque old town is only minutes from the Costa Brava’s most beautiful beaches
- Resident chef Coral cooks up nutritious breakfasts with local, seasonal ingredients
- The former pharmacy shopfront is now a beautiful boutique selling stylish gifts, from local olive oil to handmade chocolate truffles
Lows
- The 4 standard rooms, though lovely, are small, ranging from 17m2 to 20m2
- There’s no in-house restaurant, though there are plenty of great options nearby and you can request a homemade lunch hamper in advance for a day out
- The small caldarium pool (3x2m) is for relaxing rather than swimming; and it can be booked privately
- Limited parking at the hotel
Best time to go
The Costa Brava is beautiful all year round, though September is the sweet spot for visiting, when most of the tourists have already gone home and the weather is just right: not too hot, not too cold. May and June are also pleasant, before the peak summer heat kicks in. You can swim in the sea from May up until November.
Our top tips
At sunset, climb up to the solarium to take in rooftop and bell tower views, with the sound of church bells ringing in the distance. It’s lovely up there.
- Eco Hotel
- 15 rooms
- Breakfast only; restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Closed: 2 weeks every January
- Indoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
A swirling staircase leads to 15 rooms spread over two floors (there’s a lift too). While there are some uniform traits across all categories – think natural linens, a palette of creams, recycled textiles, high-quality carpentry – each room is different, with a unique layout thanks to the respectful restoration. We loved the thick walls, original high-beamed ceiling and tiled floors in our spacious Junior Suite Deluxe (Botines), which also had two exterior balconies. Family rooms are just as big. Alfred’s engineering expertise has come in handy: every room has low-radiation WiFi modems and sensors that detect and control CO2 levels. Clay walls and graphite paint absorb toxins and help you rest. It seems to work: we slept well here.
There’s a library downstairs with an honesty bar and coffee machine.
Features include:
- Hairdryer
- WiFi
Eating
Resident chef Coral cooks up a nutritious breakfast every morning, with six mains to choose from, including crunchy polenta hearts, mini pancakes with homemade plum jam, and ‘esperdenyas’ (breakfast baps) with fillings such as white bean and rocket pate, or egg, caramelised onion and shiitake. Only ‘happy eggs’ here, owner Lourdes assures us – they come from a local farm down the road, as does the sheep’s milk yoghurt. Everything is local and seasonal. The proof, they say, is in the pudding, and Coral’s freshly baked cakes (made with natural cane sugar) are superb. Especially her gooey pear and dark chocolate tart – a hit with the whole family.
You can pre-book a healthy lunch hamper to go, or enjoy a fresh seafood lunch by the beach. In the evening, stroll through Palafrugell old town, stop for a drink in the main square before dinner – Lourdes and Alfred are happy to recommend their trusted favourite restaurants. We loved the fresh seafood lunch at Es Dofi, overlooking the turquoise waters of Tamariu beach. Try the giant mussels, the golden fried calamari rings and the garlicky prawns.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Relax and recharge: book the hotel’s caldarium for an hour’s session all to yourself
- Browse the hotel's boutique: the former pharmacy is curated with local treats, both edible and decorative
- Explore the old town: stroll through Palafrugell, with its pastel-coloured buildings, stylish shops, food market and lively plaza
- Set off on two wheels: this part of Catalunya is famed for its scenic cycle routes. Choose between the Pyrenees or the coastal roads, or combine the two. The hotel can arrange bike hire
- Get into water sports: snorkel or dive at nearby beaches. First-timers can ask the hotel to book a lesson at a local diving school
- Taste local olive oil: Visit an olive grove about 20 minutes away and stay for lunch
- Go back in time: wander through perfectly preserved medieval towns of the Costa Brava
- Fly high: Hot air balloons are popular in this region. The hotel can arrange a trip
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Hot air ballooning
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Kids
Children are very welcome here. They’ll love the hotel caldarium and the three beaches nearby (Tamariu, Llafranc and Calella de Palafrugell) which are all perfect for small children.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots and extra beds for under 7s are provided free of charge; there’s a small surcharge for over 7s. Kids 14 and over pay full price. Family rooms, Junior Suites and Superiors all have space for an extra bed.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots
- High chairs
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities nearby:
- Palafrugell has three beaches nearby: Calella (4.5km), Llafranc(4km) and Tamariu (6km)
- Exploring medieval towns
- Bike rides
Distances:
- Airport: 40 minutes (Girona): 1.5 hours (Barcelona)
- Hospital: 12 minutes
- Shops: 1 minute
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Can Mascort is set in the old town of Palafrugell, in the Costa Brava.
By Air:
Fly to Barcelona Airport (1.5-hour drive) or Girona Airport (40 minutes).
From the Airport
Public transport is tricky – you can book a transfer, but you’re probably better off renting a car. You’ll need one for exploring the beaches and towns of Costa Brava anyway, unless you do it all on two wheels (Can Mascort can organise bike hire). See our car rental recommendations. The hotel has a few parking spaces reserved for guests; there’s also a public car park by the City Hall.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Girona-Costa Brava Airport 49.0 km GRO
- Barcelona Airport 139.0 km BCN
Other:
- Beach 4.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape