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 AND 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.
Hostal de La Gavina offers 74 rooms each of them different in size and decoration but all keep the same charm and quality of their composing elements. The rooms are the truly stars of the important historical and artistic heritage of the Hotel preserved through times to the very last minimum detail.
From classic Mediterranean style to Imperial or Elizabethan, every rooms has fine silk upholstery, hardwood, Venetian Murano glass lamps, bedding made from high quality Egyptian linen and comfortable bathrooms with Italian marble.
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.
Rooms overlooking the gardens and the sea are an authentic experience.
The 7 Junior Suites shine with character and elegance.
The 11 superior rooms are especially charming thanks to their Mediterranean feel and romantic touch.
Their terraces are an authentic treasure for the traveler.
Hostal de La Gavina reassembles a total of 13 elegant and distinctive Suites.
Each is equipped with antique furniture cared with detail, combined with modern and comfortable bathrooms with hydromassage bath.
The Suites offer stunning views over the garden and the sea.
To provide customers with maximum comfort, Deluxe Suites are equipped with a coffee mashine, daily replaced mineral water and natural feather toppers for the bed.
Hotel's 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.
For those who enjoy the feeling of independence, this 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.
Living history of the Hostal de La Gavina. Its interior style simulates a vintage boat that 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.
From 16.00h
With spectacular sea views you can enjoy an extensive menu of drinks, natural juices, shakes, smoothies and ice creams.
The bar is located next to the swimming pool.
09.00h - 20.00h
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.
Evenings
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.
12.00h - 00.00h
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 hotel's homemade cakes.
Mediterranean
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.
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.
Daily
Daily except Tuesdays
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.
07.30h - 11.00h
Located in front of the Mediterranean Sea, the Gavina Spa is the ideal place to disconnect and for relaxation.
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.
This promenade of S’Agaró was built by Josep Ensesa Gubert and became the first section of this popular promenade through the entire coast of Costa Brava. Here you will enjoy one of the most beautiful spots of Costa Brava.
Elegant banqueting rooms and meeting spaces for private celebrations, corporate events and special presentations. The Reading Room offers an ideal setting for intimate meetings or private dining.
From beautiful medieval towns such as Pals and Peratallada to typical seaside towns as Calella de Palafrugell or Cadaques. The capital of the region, Girona, deserves a special visit.
The region Empordà has always been then and now a region of artists and relevant people from the culture. You can not miss a cultural visit into Girona, the Triangle of Salvador Dalí or the Fishing Museum of Palamós.
La Gavina hires mountain and road bikes from Trek according to your preferences. Around the Hotel there are multiple circuits inland to practice this sport.
Only 10 minutes away from the Hotel you have two great golf clubs, Golf Costa Brava and Golf d’Aro, their location offers spectacular views. Only 20 minutes away there is PGA Catalunya Resort, one of the best courses in Spain.
Visit hotel's boutiques by the garden. Also and only five minutes away the city of Platja d’Aro offers great variety and quality for shopping. And 40 minutes away there is famous outlet close to Barcelona called La Roca del Vallés.
Discover out Sports Club La Gavina just across the street from the main entrance of the Hotel.
Just an hour from Barcelona, hotel offers the possibility of a civil wedding in the hotel's 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”.
HOSTAL DE LA GAVINA
Hostal de La GavinaPlaça Roserar s/n, 17248 Costa BravaGironaSpain