Hostal de la Gavina
S'Agaró, Spain
★ Verified by our editors · June 2026
The verdict
A 1932 grand-dame on the private peninsula of S'Agaró, where old-world Costa Brava glamour still feels intact — sea-facing suites, a saltwater pool above the rocks, and a level of formal service that's increasingly rare. It's polished rather than cutting-edge; come for heritage, not minimalism.
Travellers who want grand, old-money Costa Brava glamour with the sea on the doorstep.
You prefer pared-back, contemporary design or a casual barefoot vibe.
Ask for a sea-facing room in the original wing — the views over Sa Conca are the ones worth paying for.
The rooms
Around 70 individually decorated rooms and suites, dressed in antiques, period fabrics and marble — no two are alike. The most coveted sit in the original 1932 wing with balconies over Sant Pol bay; garden-facing rooms are quieter and a notch cheaper. A Relais & Châteaux property, so expect classic comfort over contemporary minimalism.
The setting
Set inside the private residential enclave of S'Agaró, laid out by Catalan architect Rafael Masó, with the legendary Camí de Ronda coastal path running below. The saltwater sea-pool sits right above the rocks, and Sa Conca and Sant Pol — two of the coast's best beaches — are a short walk away.
The food
The flagship Candlelight restaurant serves refined Mediterranean and Catalan cooking, with a deep cellar and a romantic terrace. Lighter poolside dining runs through the day in season; afternoons call for a drink in the wood-panelled bar.
Getting there
About 40 minutes from Girona–Costa Brava airport and roughly 1h30 from Barcelona. Sant Feliu de Guíxols is 5 minutes away; valet parking on site. A car is useful for exploring but not essential once you've arrived.
Good to know
Largely seasonal — typically open Easter to October. The restaurant keeps a smart-formal dress code in the evenings. An icon since 1932, it has hosted everyone from film stars to royalty, and the service is correspondingly formal.
