Rooms

The hotel has 10 rooms and a self-contained apartment next door. In terms of décor, each room is different; they are spread over the ground and first floor, some with terraces or balconies.

We were gobsmacked with the space. Our Superior Double room, Sa Lucanna, was easily twice the size we'd expected, so don't feel you need to upgrade. It contained a queensize bed, a big TV plus a DVD player, a 1950s-style writing desk, a French-style armoire and shuttered Cuban-style windows. The compact tadelakt bathroom had a giant rain shower and there was also a mini balcony.

The sheer size was delightful, and this, added to the extensive communal areas in the hotel, made me think we could easily stay for a week-10 days with our family.

Since our visit, they've added a spacious Apartment next door to the hotel. There's no kitchen, but you do get a terrace, lounge and dining area, a double bedroom and a twin - perfect for families who want extra space to relax.

Features include:

• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

'Fet amb love' is a motto throughout the hotel - 'made with love' - and the restaurant is no different. In it you'll be served a breakfast buffet (all the usuals plus some Spanish touches including mini portions of tortilla) and dinner on various nights. Lunch is not served - it's presumed that you'll eat out and there are numerous places to choose in Begur and beyond.

Dinner is great value for a set menu or individual dishes. I had baked sea bream served with sweet juicy celery, tomato and aubergine, preceded by a spicy curry and pumpkin soup. The bistro-style food is far better than the casual yet funky décor suggests, and the wine and coffee are of great quality.

Dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday in the summer and Wednesday to Saturday in the winter. However, with some of the region's best restaurants in town, this is hardly a problem. Rostei, a Catalan restaurant in Begur, is highly recommended, along with the stunning Sa Rascassa, another Catalan restaurant a short drive down the hill on the beach at Aiguaclara. There are also great tapas joints and seafood restaurants in town; reception can advise.

The hotel doesn't have a bar but does have 2 honesty bar stations, one downstairs in the lounge and one by the restaurant. The restaurant has jazz nights on summer evenings from 10 to midnight.

Features include:

• Honesty bar
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Relax in the hotel with a leisurely breakfast, read the international newspapers, wander the medieval streets and boutiques of Begur at your leisure, then return to the hotel for an in-room massage
  
  
• Walk up to the ruined and partially rebuilt castle at the top of the hill for sensational views of the coastline
  
  
• Grab the hotel's beach towels, snorkelling gear and buckets and spades and head to the beach at Sa Tuna, Sa Riera or Aiguaclara, all within 5km
  
  
• Go cycling or walking in the national parks nearby, especially beautiful in spring and autumn; reception can organise bike hire
  
  
• Spend an afternoon exploring Girona's Jewish Quarter and architectural treasures, including its cathedral
  
  
• Spend 2 days tracing the Dalí Triangle around Figueres, Cadaqués and Púbol. Gala’s Castle, his former home in Púbol, is the closest attraction
  
  
• Ask Joan or Clara about booking a diving course, boat trip or snorkelling
  
  
• Play golf on one of the numerous courses along the coast
  
  
• Visit medieval towns and cruise around the countryside with its impressive crusader castles on impossibly high hills

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Scuba diving courses
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Well being

Kids

This hotel is fantastic for families - not only are rooms spacious, but you're also within walking distance of cafés in Begur, and the castle, and the beaches nearby are great. The office is papered with pictures drawn by children on their holidays; Joan and Clara are parents themselves, though their children have well outgrown the crayon phase.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

The Apartment is ideal for families with a double bedroom, a twin room and a large lounge and terrace. Superior Doubles are very roomy, and can add an extra bed or baby cot with ease (although the shower bathrooms are compact). Junior Suites sleep up to 4, and have showers/tubs in their bathrooms. The Double Room with Terrace is handy for drying beach gear and can sleep 2 adults, a child and a baby.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 50 minutes (Girona)
• Hospital: 20 minutes
• Doctor: 10 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hotel Aiguaclara is in the centre of Begur, a small town on the Costa Brava in northeast Spain, under an hour east of Girona and 2 hours from Barcelona.

By Air
The nearest airport is in Girona; Barcelona airport is also within striking distance. Both are regularly served by budget airlines from across Europe; Barcelona is also served by many scheduled international flights from Europe and beyond. Click on the link below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
It is an easy drive from both airports. The hotel can arrange a transfer from Girona (50-minute drive), but most guests hire a car.

By Train/Bus
You can reach the hotel by public transport. There is a bus station in Begur (service run by Sarfa), from where you can walk to the hotel. The closest train station is Girona. Visit Renfe for detailed timetables; it takes just over an hour by train to reach Girona from Barcelona, and from here you can take a taxi.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Catalonia and getting around