I am checking availability now but what would be best for Moi & DH and 7 year old daughter? We will have spent 7 days in a flat in Narbonne then plan 3 days in Costa Brava,(mid July) flying out of Girona.
thanks

I like the Parador myself.

I've stayed very happily at both in July. They're facing each other across the bay-same location, just 5 minutes from Begur (which we love).

Both have nice pools. The one at the Hotel Aiguablava is slighter larger, more secluded, with more seating.

The family run Hotel Aiguablava has tennis courts and some organized activities.

But the atmosphere is kind of "QE II (more staid-with lots of old time regulars, employees who have been with the hotel forever), while I think of the Parador as being more "Windstar", to use a ship analogy (since I've been on both).

All rooms at the Parador have balconies with water views, either of the bay (left side) or the open sea (right side). Not all the Hotel A. rooms have fantastic sea views, but they are very well appointed, quite pretty, with updated baths. The standard room baths at the Parador could do with a new look.

The jr. suites at the Parador have a lovely, fresh, updated look with whirlpool baths, and the 4 top floor suites, extremely appealing, with huge terraces.

The "beach" are of the Hotel A. is miniscule, while the Parador has direct access to the beach of Fornells, and there's a beachside restaurant down there open in summer only, which belongs to the Parador.

At the Parador one can also just have salads, sandwiches at the bar at night, which we took advantage of on several occasions.

If the Hotel Aiguablava requires half board (obligatory breakfast and either lunch or dinner) in July, I would choose the Parador, as I found the Hotel A.'s cuisine to be rather lackluster, kind of banquet-ish.

Hope this helps you decide.

Thank you both for your response. Which one would have more children, my daughter doesn't care if they speak English or not. Maribel when you say Hotel A has activities, what kind of stuff do you mean?

I am open to other seaside towns but from what I have peiced together from most of Maribel's post this area sounds great. Don't want crowds, like to explore and relax (and not cook).

averyjade,
In high season, plenty of children at both. The Hotel A offers baby-sitting services.

By organized activities I mean excursions (like boat trips, horseback riding), evening concerts. They'll make reservations for you for cooking classes, golf outings, scuba diving, hot air balloon rides-it's just more "resort like".

And it closes in the winter to paint and freshen up for the next season.
Lots of well heeled catalán families come here for a week or two or more every summer. And the regulars get their same rooms from yr. to yr.
(kind of like the Cloisters, Greenbrier or the Homestead, if you're at all familiar with these US southern resorts).

Hope this helps you to decide.

At the Parador you're on your own to plan your excursions, although they leave plenty of brochures and maps in the lobby to peruse.

We loved the Parador, but haven't stayed at the Hotel. I'm sure either would be lovely.

Well the Hotel A is full board at 433 euro per night(650 cdn) and the Parador is half board in a standard twin with the extra bed is 333 euro (500 cdn) per night.(vat included in both). This is more than I expected. I was hoping to pay up to 300 euros a night or atleast get a better room than standard twin. What to do??? Any other quiet seaside hotels that you like. thanks

averyjade,
I suspected that the Hotel A would require either half board or full board, and yes, the Parador does require half board for high season (forgot it was July as well as Aug.).

That and a minimum stay requirement often happens with Aiguablava-Begur area hotels in summer. It's the most exclusive section of the Costa Brava.

I also like El Convent, just 1 min. below Begur. It's a very quiet, tranquil setting with nice pool and pretty grounds.

I see a standard double for 208.65 in high season plus 37.45 for your daughter sharing the same room (with buffet brk and VAT included). I don't see anything about required half board in July.

http://hotelconventbegur.com/

If you don't mind not facing the ocean and if you can go without a pool, the Hotel Aiguaclara in the heart of the charming, really interesting town of Begur is another option. It's only a 5 min. drive to the Bay of Fornells beach below the Parador.

It's a reconverted mansion with top flight restaurant, with its own parking. Owned and operated by a nice family. Rates are lower here. But only 10 rooms, which may be by now long gone for high season! Solid reviews on Trip Advisor.

www.aiguaclara.com

Some have commented on the small (convent size) standard rooms at El Convent.

Thank you so much for your help. What a charming little place Hotel Aiguaclara is. I am going to email them.

And the cuisine is superb!

We just love the atmospheric town of Begur-had always bypassed it during our stays and finally decided to discover it on our last visit.

Make sure to walk up to the castle ruins for fantastic views (and past the very attractive designer homes along the walking route-some with views just to die for!)

The ladies at the tourist office are super helpful too.

I emailed both, now what and see. On another note I have booked for our three nights in Barcelona Baynes Orientel suite for 170 eur plus vat and then realizing it might not be the best for a child I also got a great deal at Apsis Atrium for 178 including breakfest, plus has a pool. I am leaning towards Apsis. I have read your post and city guide and this is where I got these two hotels from.

We stayed in a suite at Baynes Orientel and am asuming that's what you booked--a room would probably be too small for 3, but the suites are really comfortable and we enjoyed it alot. I wouldn't even want a pool in Barcelona--too much to see and do--but with a child in July, well, that changes things, so maybe it would be better for you. How long are you going to actually be in Barcelona?

averyjade,
I really like the Apsis Atrium Palace-it's very family friendly-indoor pool, handy restaurant for dining off hours, free mineral water in mini bar, buffet breakfast, free Wi Fi and great internet rates (plus bathrobes and double sinks in guest rooms). Close to Placa de Catalunya, El Corte Inglés (to pick up anything you might have forgotten, plus basement supermarket) and easy walk to Gothic Quarter and El Born(e).

we arrive after an overnight flight from Toronto to Madrid then conect to Barcelona. So that first night is a right off, the next day which will be sunday so I am hoping to get in some of the sights. We have all day on Monday, pick up the car on Tuesday then to meet some friends in Narbonne. Wish we had more time in Barcelona. I love the look of Baynes but think it might be beter for just my hubby and I on our own. I am still unsure if I am right with switching to Apsis. I like what Maribel says about Apsis being family friendly specialy with a jet lagged child.

well I received a resonse from Auigaclara for 210 eur for a junior suite with child extra bed. I like the hotel just have to decided if i need a pool and ocean front.

That's actually a very good rate for high season in the most exclusive area of the Costa Brava.
But yes, only you can decide if that pool and the ocean views are worth the extra expense!

We were so lucky to have stayed for 5 nights at the Parador in Jan. 07 for only 90 euros a night! A deal not to be repeated!

saving.....


from this week's New York Times:



http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/17...tml?ref=travel

Maribel or Robert, or anyone who has stayed at the Parador in Aiguablava: Is it possible to walk into Begur from the parador? Are there any good eating places within walking distance? If not the parador, which place would you recommend, preferably with a swimming pool? (Musing now for travel next fall....)

Mil gracias!

We loved staying at the Parador. By the way, an excellent book on exploring the area is "Costa Brava Directions" put out by Rough Guide.