Marty

I'm traveling to Catalonia in late May, and have reservations set for Barcelona and the Costa Brava. For the final two days, I'd like to stay somewhere peaceful in the vicinity of Girona. I'm very interested in Mas Pau, in Avinyonet, but have yet to hear back from them. Does anyone have experience with Mas Pau (i.e., is it worth continuing to try to get in touch w/them?), Mas Falgarona, Hotel Arcs de Monells, or any other such hotel or inn? I'm willing to spend up to 25,000 or so pesetas a night, but not to spring for Mas Torrent or Torre de Remei. <BR>Guidance from Maribel or anyone else would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

igor

We were planning to travel to Barcelona <BR>for our honeymoon in July. If you can recommend good hotels in that city and also at Costa Brava where we plan to end <BR>our honeymoon, I would appreciate your help. <BR> <BR>Igor

Maribel

Marty, <BR>We had a lovely stay at the Mas Pau on a second honeymoon and would certainly return; it's owned by the partners who own El Bulli in Roses, whose chef, Ferran Adria, is world-famous, and the food we thought was superb (has 1 Michelin star). The antique filled upstairs d. rm oozes with charm, there's an outdoor terrace upstairs as well, and their wine cellar has the best that Catalunya has to offer. We enjoyed an inexpensive Gramona white which was delicious. We ordered the special tasting menu the first night but actually liked the well priced "menu del dia" even more the 2nd night. Oddly enough, the rms at the Mas Pau are in a "motel like" annex, not part of the 16th c farmhouse, and while I wasn't overly fond of the decor (pink and black, no antiques, modern furn. and lamps), our rm was spacious, bath was nice and quite private-it grew on me- and a bargain at 13,000 pts-I think that's why it grew on me...). We preferrred to splurge on food rather than on our accomodations. I would call the Mas Pau a fine restaurant that also has pleasant but not luxurious rms. (and a garden with pool). Not ultra posh like the Mas Torrent but tranquil. There is a new hotel in Avinyonet that has a red designation for charm in the Michelin guide, the "Torremirona", which I haven't tried. <BR>In Girona we also love the El Castell outside of Seu (a Relais & Chateaux), and on the coast near Begur, the lovely, family owned Hotel Aiguablava. And there's the grand dame Hostal de la Gavina at S'Agaro. <BR>

Maribel

Me again Marty <BR>I looked thru my files to see about the other two hotels you mentioned. <BR>The "Mas Falgarona" is an inexpensive 12th c farmhouse B&B, a "casa de pagés" or agroturismo home. It has 7 rms and a pool and stables but appears more modest than the Mas Pau. In my "turismo rural" 2000 guide it lists the price of a double at 17,000. They will serve you dinner for an extra 4,000. You can see it at <BR>http://www.toprural.com/ficha/index....7/ids/3202.htm <BR> <BR>I forgot that I had clipped a review from the Sun. travel section of "El Pais" on the 4 star "Arc des Monells" near the Mas Torrent. The reviewer (who's fairly stingy with his praise) gave it a7.5 (high for him). It's described as a 17th c converted hospital that looks like a Provencal farmhouse, but decorated in a refined but typical cutting edge Catalan "vanguardista" style-"minimilist" kind of cold furniture rather than antiques. Kind of rustic and ultramodern combined. Rms have huge Jacuzzi baths, minibar, robes, h. dryers, all face the garden and pool, fancier, more elaborate all the way around than the Mas Pau, but at 22,000 double, more exp. too. You can see it at <BR>www.hotelarcmonells.com <BR> <BR>Forgot to mention that we really loved the area around Avinyonet, because it's convenient for great day trips to the wonderful, atmospheric medieval towns of Santa Pau in the volcanic La Garroxta region, Besalú, and Rupit (an absolute gem!) And you really can't beat Xavier Sagristá’s very inventive food (except at his partner's El Bulli). If you choose to stay there, you might want go for one of the suites, still reasonably priced. <BR>See it at www.maspau.com <BR>Have fun deciding. <BR> <BR>

Marty

Maribel, <BR> <BR>Sorry to be so late in thanking you for your generous and informative responses--I've been away for a few days. We've decided to stay at Hotel Arcs de Monells but will probably try to eat at Mas Pau--that way we'll get the best of both worlds! We're also staying at El Far, a relatively new property in Llafranc owned and operated by the same folks who run Mas de Torrent. Looks lovely; you can check out their web site at www.elfar.net. <BR>Well, thank you again for all the excellent information!

top

to the top

Maribel

Marty, <BR>If you don't mind, could you please let us know how you liked El Far; it's been on my list for quite a while, after I read the review in El Pais that mentined that the owners of Mas Torrent had opened it. I'd love to know what you think! Of the 3 little towns on the calas around Palafrugell-Tamariu, Calella and Llafranc, Llafranc is our favorite. We stayed at the family run <BR>Hotel Llevant on that same trip. <BR>Thanks and have a wonderful journey!