UK Tel: 01737 21 18 18
US Tel: 770 455 9772
info@golfparexcellence.com
|
Overlooking the bay of Calella de Palafrugell, where whitewashed houses tumble down to welcome home the brightly coloured fishing boats, there is arguably no better place in Catalunya to stay on your golf holiday than the Hotel Garbi, for a taste of real Catalan hospitality. Choose from either 3 or 4 star bedrooms. All are well proportioned, newly re-decorated and furnished, plus they all benefit from air conditioning and a sea-view balcony. Reaching out below the hotel the shady gardens and ample parking surround the heated outdoor pool and patio-bar. The restaurant with its huge glass windows borders the pool and is connected to the hotel via a tunnel and lift. Dining in the restaurant is a treat – particularly the desserts and wines (Enric the owner also run a patisserie and fine wine emporium in the town, well worth a browse!). The village and beaches of Calella de Palafrugell are a mere five minute walk away where there are many other small restaurants to be found alongside the beach, including the Tragamar, one of our all time favourites.
|
     |
|||
   |
    |
On a spit of land between two coves the Park Hotel San Jorge lies amidst pine trees just outside the busy resort of Platja d’Aro. A peaceful setting beside the sea, that still allows night owls easy access to all the bars and restaurants of one of Catalonia’s liveliest towns. It is a fifteen minute stroll into town at a leisurely pace (or there are plenty of taxis!). Although just yards from the Mediterranean beaches, the hotel has its own pool complete with bar and terrace; plus tennis court and sauna. There are two restaurants at the Jorge Park, one in an informal buffet style the other “à la carte” featuring many Catalan specialities. |
  |
| Planamar Hotel***
In the very centre of Platja d'Aro this great little hotel could not be better placed to extract every ounce of fun out of the ever-throbbing resort of Platja d'Aro. Fronting the beach at about the geographical centre of the bay, the Planamar hotel offers you a clean and comfortable base from where to enjoy the excellent golf courses and busy night-life of Catalonia. The Planamar Hotel has just 30 rooms, most have balconies and look directly out over the Mediterranean (there are also smaller rooms along the flanks of the hotel that make excellent value Singles). On the first floor there is a good restaurant, where there is a often a buffet and during the season a barbecue once a week. In the streets around there is no shortage of other dining options of nearly all flavours. On the ground floor you will find the Magenta bar, one of the coolest in Platja d'Aro. The bar extends out onto the beachside promenade and its wickerwork armchairs are the perfect spot to indulge in a spot of people watching and sundowning. The beach is only 20 yards from your front door, however if you prefer to bathe in private you might like to make use of the roof-top pool and sun-deck. Conveniently too, the Planamar also has its own underground car-park in the apartment block across the street.
|
      |
|||
   |
   |
For golf holidays in Catalonia where the accent is clearly on golfing, the Emporda Golf Hotel could well be the perfect spot. With the two very different Emporda golf courses right on your doorstep, Pals and Serres de Pals just down the road (and decent practice facilities too), golf-wise it's hard to beat. The hotel is of very modern design, with a strong Scandinavian influence, so don't expect a traditional Catalan atmosphere! However the ancient towns of Pals and Torrent are nearby where you can drink your fill of Catalan culture. The hotel has a bar, restaurant and a small spa area complete with whirlpool and massage jets; there is a larger outdoor pool at the Clubhouse too and the beaches at Pals are not far away. Nightlife is limited due to the hotel's rural location, however there are several restaurants in Pals and the other villages dotted around the countryside. |
 |
For early or late season golf trips, the city of Girona is a good choice of base as there is always plenty going on and the city. And, being a relatively small city, it is easy enough to get in and out of to play golf. Centrally located the Carlemany gives easy access to the shops and cafes of Girona, the old quarter with its narrow cobbled streets and the extensive Parque de la Devesa. The bedrooms at the Carlemany are bright, air-conditioned, and have satellite TV. The Vienna bar and coffee shop are very popular with the locals; the superb circular restaurant is surrounded by greenery of all descriptions giving the feeling of dining in the forest rather than the city. Handily for golfers, there is an underground car-park with direct lift access to the lobby. |
  |
  |
Castell d’Emporda**** For somewhere extra special to stay, this 700 year old castle high above La Bisbal is the place. We have never seen anywhere quite like this unique and secluded hide-away. The bedrooms and halls have been furnished with amazing Moroccan artefacts and textiles creating a totally unique experience. The castle has an outdoor pool and sunny patio ideal for a long lazy lunch prepared by the exceptionally talented young chef. Well placed for all the golf courses, not too far from the beaches or the city of Girona itself, the Castell provides a refined and secluded base for visiting this fascinating area of Spain. |
 |
