Hi,

My husband and 2 teenage kids are planning a trip to Barcelona and Costa Brava next April 2nd for 8 days. We will be staying 4 days in Barcelona and then driving to Costa Brava.
Can anybody suggest good hotel that is central to Cadaques, Figueres and beach resorts? We would like to stay in one place and then travel around.

I hope you get some replies to this message, because we are planning to stay in the Costa Brava for at least one night, and maybe two, in March. We will first be staying in Barcelona, then traveling around the Costa Brava before crossing into France. There was an interesting article in the New York Times recently about Cadaques off season, and it sounds terrific, but it may not be the best place to stay if you plan to use it as a base.
Good luck!

Ishtutman,
I really wouldn't use Cadaqués as a base because of the very sinuous road that takes you up there-not easy just to hop up and down from this isolated village for sightseeing in the Empordá.

How much do you want to spend on your lodging?

Here are some options :
In lovely, highly scenic and relatively unspoiled Aiguablava, the best and most picturesque place in the Costa Brava, you have the modern Parador with terrific sea views or right across the tiny cove, the very family friendly stately, family run Hotel Aiguablava. We've stayed at both, and the location couldn't be more scenic and tranquil. The Aiguablava has tennis courts.
Both have nice pools but since they're not heated or covered, they won't be open in April.
See the Parador at
www.parador.es
the Hotel Aigualava at
www.aiguablava.com
Doubles in April will range from 121-152 at the Hotel Aiguablava and at the Parador from 117+

If you need something less pricey, look at
Llafranc, the fishing village next door to Aiguablava, There you have 2 very dependable, solid 3 star family run hotels with excellent reputations, catering to a loyal repeat clientele in the summer:
Hotel Llevant
www. specialplacestostay.com
Hotel Llafranch
www.hllafranch.com

Both are on the beach and have very good restaurants attached. The Llafranch doubles in April go from 64 (interior) to 83,50 (exterior, sea view). I'm not sure of the tariffs at the Llevant, but I think doubles in early April go for 60-67 euros.

I find this little piece of real estate on the upper Costa Brava prettier and less heavily developed than Roses. Where there's a wide, flat, sandy beach on the Costa Brava, you're sure to find plenty of concrete high rises, back to back.
You'll find less development on the little rocky, pine covered hilly coves in the Begur area.
But in Roses, there's a Relais du Silence, the 4 star Almadraba Park, which you can check at
www.almadrabapark.com (also has tennis)

Compare them all and see how they fit with your tastes and budget.

Hope this helps.

Cadaques is a lovely spot but I would not base myself there as would not want to face the road everytime I went out. It is very slow road, twists and turns nearly all the way from Roses so extreme care is needed. We have based ourselves twice in Roses, its a big bay with long sandy beach, plenty of hotels to choose from overlooking the beach, lots of eating places. The old town is narrow winding streets full of cheesy gift shops but on the whole Roses is not a bad place and within easy reach of Figueres and other interesting places along the coast.

We stayed at the Almadraba Park in Rosas and enjoyed the hotel very much. Do not recall it as expensive for a 4 star hotel. Should be quite quiet in April and you should be able to get good rates. Enjoy. It's a lovely part of the world. Can't wait to go back.

I totally agree--Cadeques is not your best location--too isolated. I like the Aiglablava suggestion. Also, I like Tossa de Mar--the Hotel Reymar is right on the beach and should not be crowded that time of year.

Thanks for the information posted here (although I didn't post the question). We decided to book the parador at Aiguablava for 2 nights in March, and can't wait. It seems very reasonably priced, and the views must be amazing.

jd_dallas,
I think you'll really love the views and the serenity. The Parador is a great value off season. And the Aiguablava-Begur area is closer for day trips to Figueres or up to Cadaqués than Tossa.
Have a great time!

Just got back from Florida and saw all the replies.
Thank you everyone for wonderful suggestions. I will definitely look into Aiguablava as everyone agrees it is the best place for our purpose.
jd_dallas: Would apprecizaate your comments after you come back in March.
And maribel, your advises are priceless, thanks a lot.

jd_dallas: By the way, I saw the same article in NYTimes and that was why we decided to explore Costa Brava. We are also going to Barcelona first. Where are you staying?

As of today, we are staying at the Hotel Balmes, which is one of those on Maribel's recommended list; we got what seems to be a very good deal (105 Euro per night, I think). I had made a previous reservation that I canceled after I received M's file on Barcelona (if you don't have it, I recommend that you get it from Maribel, as it has a lot of information about hotels, restaurants, sites, etc.). Our 1st two hotel choices were full, but I may check back later.
Once we saw the pictures of the parador at Aguablava (available at www.parador.es, then search for Girona province), we acted quickly. It looks spectacular; however, the other hotels in that area also were attractive and tend to be smaller and family owned, which I consider an advantage.

Probably, Hotel Aiguablava it's in best Costa Brava cove , Cala Fornells.

I booked using http://www.servifans.com/aiguablava.htm or their associate http://www.reservamihotel.com/aiguablava.htm and had special discount and esclusive guide from area.