Situated deep in the Catalan countryside, framed by the Pyrenees mountain range, this honey-coloured patrician villa appears like a mirage as you approach via a dusty driveway, past acres of green. A dramatic fountain at the entrance sets the tone for an opulent stay. Inside the main hotel, 16 contemporary-style rooms are spread across two floors; there’s also a central courtyard and a spa. But it doesn't end there. Steps away is Villa Maria, offering more traditional country-style rooms within the original 14th-century farmhouse building, while neighbouring Villa Ana features a modern studio and a family room. Vintage ornaments are peppered throughout all three buildings, courtesy of the French owner, Olivier Mitterand (nephew of ex-president, François).
A stay at Casa Anamaria Hotel is the perfect antidote to busy urban life: birdsong was the soundtrack to our days here, and perfectly manicured gardens feature plenty of shaded nooks to sit and relax in; it's impossible not to take in the tranquillity of it all. With a pool, tennis court, restaurant and 22,000sqm of gardens, it’s tempting not to leave the hotel - and many guests don’t - though medieval towns, the Costa Brava’s prettiest coves and world-famous cycle routes are a strong pull. You're among Catalonia's greatest treasures here but you're safely tucked away from the crowds.
Highs
- All the green space: over 60 acres of gardens, woods and fields, plus pine and oak trees lining a shimmering saltwater pool
- Option of booking the spa for private 1-hour sessions - and i-escape guests get 50% off
- Staff are as friendly as they are helpful: you feel very welcome here
- The fine-dining restaurant, which serves Catalan dishes with a modern twist and veggies grown in the garden
- The location near Costa Brava beaches, medieval towns and Salvador Dali hotspots
Lows
- The restaurant doesn’t feature light, inexpensive options, though the pool bar does (open in summer only). The nearest alternatives are a 20-minute drive away (not so easy with young kids)
- You’ll need a car – or a bike – to get here and explore the surrounding area
- Rooms in the villas have a different look and feel to the main hotel rooms - no less attractive, but more rustic
- This area is known for the Tramuntana wind, so you get higher than average windy days
Best time to go
Spring is a perfect time to visit, when the garden's plants and flowers are in full bloom and before the summer's intense heat. June-August is busy on the Costa Brava, but you're away from the crowds here in this verdant setting. Alternatively, come in September/October, when it's still warm enough for Costa Brava beach days which you can enjoy without peak summer crowds. The hotel closes for a month in January/February.
Our top tips
- Boutique Hotel
- 26 rooms
- Restaurant & bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pools
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Tennis Court
- Bicycles Available
- Electric car charger
Rooms
Casa Anamaria Hotel has 26 rooms across three buildings. The largest and most modern is known as the main hotel, where French-influenced design includes chandeliers, high ceilings and a touch of opulence. A spiral iron staircase leads to contemporary bedrooms on the first and second floors (there’s also a lift). Deluxe rooms are the smallest, while most Prestige rooms match the size of Junior Suites, though the latter have spacious balconies. All feature luxury linen curtains, black-out blinds, seriously comfortable beds, tiled floors, black-and-white photography, and a mish-mash of vintage pieces. The countryside location among 22,000sqm of private land means tranquillity is guaranteed; for Pyrenees mountain views, request a west-facing room.
Those who prefer traditional country-style interiors - think dark wood, exposed stone walls, beamed ceilings - should opt for a room in one of the rustic villas. Villa Maria is housed in the original 14th century masia (farmhouse) and has a collection of Deluxe and Prestige rooms, as well as a spacious family room made up of two interconnected doubles. Next door, Villa Ana’s studio flat is perfect for longer stays, while its family room has direct access to the gardens.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Named Can Motes after the original 14th-century farmhouse that once stood here, the hotel restaurant spills out into the gardens in warmer months. We loved sitting outside looking out towards the wisteria-draped pergola, with fairy lights twinkling ahead, birds singing in the early evening, and jazz music softly playing in the background. As you’d expect from a hotel with an eco-focus, all ingredients are seasonal and locally sourced - many gleaned from the hotel’s organic vegetable gardens. The menu is heavily Catalan-based with a modern twist, featuring mar y montaña dishes (such as free-range chicken with Costa Brava red prawns). We loved the vegetable ceviche starter – a citrusy, fruity delight – and they do an excellent lemon pie here.
Breakfast is buffet-style, with all the usual suspects (jams, pastries, breads, cereals, fruits and yoghurt) plus local Catalan hams and cheeses. You can order eggs however you like them, and help yourself to the Nespresso coffee.
If you're after lighter lunch options, the Pool Bar is open in summer months (Jun-Sep). Dishes feature homegrown veggies, and there are regular barbecues.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurant
- Room service
Activities
- Enjoy a game on the hotel tennis court, or swim in the outdoor pool, framed by majestic pines
- Pre-book a massage treatment, or soak and steam in the hotel spa, which can be booked privately for hour-long sessions
- Drive to Besalú (30 mins), famous for its medieval narrow streets, striking Romanesque bridge and the Fluvià river that flows below
- Swim in L’Escala’s turquoise waters, just over 30 mins away
- Soak up surrealist art in Figueres (30 mins) – you’re deep in Salvador Dali territory here
- Enjoy a picnic by picturesque Banyoles Lake (20 mins), or take a rowing boat out to get a closer look at the resident mandarin ducks
- Wander through the medieval streets of Girona (35 mins), stopping at its Gothic Cathedral (famously featured in Game of Thrones)
- Cycle through scenic Catalan countryside with a local bike company – the hotel can arrange
- Dine out: this region boasts 10 Michelin stars within an hour’s drive from the hotel
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Well being
Kids
Children are welcome here, and they'll enjoy the outdoor pool and gardens. There are family rooms in the villas, each with two bedrooms, and the beaches of the Costa Brava are a short drive away (30 mins).
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Families might want to book the Premium Family room in Villa Maria, which has two bedrooms and two ensuite bathrooms as well as a mini living room. Alternatively, Villa Ana's Family room has two connected rooms and direct access to the garden. Most rooms can accommodate a cot or extra bed.
Distances:
- Airport: 35 minutes (Girona)
- Shops: 10 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Casa Anamaria Hotel is set among green fields in the Girona province. Girona city is 35 minutes by car; Barcelona is 1.5 hours by car.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Girona (30 mins / 39 km) or you could fly to Barcelona’s main airport, El Prat (1.5 hours / 140km).
From the Airport:
Being such a rural area, having your own car is highly recommended – see our car rental recommendations. Parking and electric car charging is available at the hotel.
The area is well-known for its scenic cycle routes, so an alternative for keen cyclists is to take their bike on the train to Girona from Barcelona (1hr 20 mins), then cycle to the hotel from there (another 1 hr 25 mins).
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Girona 39.0 km GRO
- Barcelona 140.0 km BCN
Other:
- Beach 29.0 km
- Shops 10.0 km
- Restaurant 3.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 5 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape