For tourist accommodation in l’Escala, hotels traditionally make up a small part. The choice is getting better though.
Staying in l’Escala hotels means clean fluffy towels whenever you want. Photo from Pixabay.
L’Escala actually has few hotels, although there is a better choice than a few years ago. Instead, most holidaymakers rent a villa or apartment or stay in one of the town’s numerous campsites. The majority of the hotels are in the old town. Here you’ll find long narrow streets heading in all directions in which you’re bound to lose yourself within no time at all.
The ramshackle nature of the town is what helps give it character but it also means there isn’t an abundance of space. That means you won’t find a hotel with a swimming pool right in the town centre.
But if you are happy a little further out it’s easy to find somewhere with more comprehensive facilities.
On the other hand, you don’t have the easy access to all the bars and restaurants found in l’Escala. It comes down to choosing what is best for you and the kind of facilities that are must haves. What can you do without?
See the main page on l’Escala for more detailed information about the town. You can also visit Tripadvisor to check prices and availability of the hotels listed below as well as all other accommodation in and around l’Escala.
L’Escala old town
Most of l’Escala’s hotels are located near the old town with its narrow streets and stone houses. Nearby are a number of small town beaches, which can get a little too crowded in the summer. However, Riells beach isn’t too far away and old l’Escala has plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance.
Hotel L’Escala Centre
** Migdia, 18
Located in the old town, L’Escala Centre has bright airy rooms decorated in a contemporary style. The hotel has fairly basic facilities but comfortable and clean. While it has no restaurant, there is a cafe/bar on site where breakfast is served.
Although rooms are on the small side, there are a variety of options to choose, including suites with a double bed plus bunk beds. These are ideal for a family of four. All rooms have a desk and many have a terrace, some with a sea view, but animals are no allowed.
While there is no car park onsite you can reserve nearby parking, which is subject to availability. However to get around town you might want to rent a bicycle or motorcycle from reception.
Can Català
* Plaça de les Escoles
For anyone looking for a no-frills hotel close to the heart of l’Escala, Can Català is ideal. The nearest beach is Platja de les Barques, a small town beach just five minutes away. The larger Riells beach is around a kilometre away.
The hotel offers accommodation with a private car park and forty guest rooms that were refurbished in 2009. They are unremarkable but comfortable. The hotel has singles rooms available as well as twin and doubles, triple rooms with a double plus a single and family rooms with a double bed and bunks for two kids.
It’s near the tourist office so if you’re stuck for anything to do while in l’Escala (you shouldn’t be with all the info on Costa Brava Lifestyle!) you can wander over there.
Hotel Nieves Mar
*** Passeig del Mar, 8
This hotel is probably the most iconic in L’Escala, located right on the promenade overlooking the sea. From here guests can look out over the Gulf of Roses towards Cap de Creus. Renovated in 2018, the hotel has a large swimming pool and terrace bar and rooms are large and well appointed.
The rooms are airy and modern with a balcony and can sleep from one to four guests so ideal for solo travellers, couples and families. Many rooms overlook the sea or the poo and there is on site parking and a restaurant, although there is a good choice to restaurants in the town. If you want tot stretch your legs in the evening you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the promenade until you find a restaurant that suits you.
Hotel Bonaire
* Carrer Bonaire, 14
Hotel Bonaire is an unassuming building in the old town situated just steps from the sea. It’s a block away from the nearest town beach and some 20 minutes or so to walk to larger stretch of sand at Riells.
The communal areas are nicely decorated making the hotel rather comfortable. Rooms and bright and airy and some have a limited sea view from the terrace. Double rooms include two single beds or a double, while triple rooms have three singles. There are also quadruple rooms with three singles plus a sofa bed.
There are a number of restaurants nearby While there is no restaurant in the hotel, breakfast is provided and there are a number of nearby restaurants, including the highly rated El Roser 2 and La Gruta. There are also a couple of pizzerias and several other more modest restaurants and bars near the beach.
Bike hire can be arranged from reception and pets are allowed but please contact the hotel in advance.
Hotel Rallye
** Passeig Marítim, 1
Hotel Rallye is a family run hotel on the sea front with some great views across the gulf of Roses. The hotel has just 16 rooms so you can expect personalised service. The tastefully decorated rooms and modern and bright. You can choose from double, triple or quadruple rooms suitable for families.
The restaurant tries to mix contemporary and classic. However the one time I meant their with my mother in law they burnt her grilled fish on one side, which we mentioned when paying but without complaining. They wouldn’t accept that it had been badly cooked though. Your mileage may vary.
Jardí de Pedra
* Carrer del Mig, 3
This boutique hotel is only 80 metres to the nearest beach, Platja de les Barques in the old town. It’s in an old house formerly occupied by Jojo’s Bar, until a few years ago known to all Brit expats living in l’Escala. Jojo ran the bar for a quarter of a century or so with, until he died, her partner and artist Lionel.
Hotel Jardí de Pedra has been radically refurbished since then though. It is designed in a contemporary style and features bare stone walls in parts, including the garden. Presumably that’s where it’s name comes from. Double and twin rooms are available and the hotel has a restaurant with a la carte menu but no parking facilities.
While change is inevitable, a lot of the charm of the old building is gone. Like much of l’Escala it is far too gentrified. There is nothing wrong with gentrification up too a point, but there comes a point places become sanitised versions of what they once were. It looks like the ground floor remains of the original building, but even there the stone facade has lost much of its character. It’s also slightly ironic then that while Jojo’s was pet friendly, the hotel isn’t.
Out of town
Slightly further out from the town centre you’ll find a number of hotels with more facilities. If you want to feel more pampered while on holiday or just want to stay somewhere with slightly more amenities then you might find one of the hotels listed below suits you better.
Hotel Molí de l’Escala
**** Cami de les Corts
Formerly a restaurant in a converted watermill, Molí de l’Escala only opened its doors as a hotel in 2017. The hotel is located a little more than half a kilometre inland from the nearest beach, but while you may not get a sea view it is full of charm. The long sandy Riells beach is around 3.5 kilometres.
Although it has been considerably refurbished, Molí de l’Escala has features that date back to the twelfth century. Rooms have stone walls and wooden ceiling beams but tastefully decorated in a rather minimal style. Private parking is available on site.
The restaurant still focuses on seasonal local ingredients, including the famous l’Escala anchovies. The food has its roots in traditional Catalan cooking but with an innovative twist to make it completely contemporary.
Hostal Spa Empúries
**** Platja Portitxol
Just out of town near the Greco-Roman ruins you’ll find Hostal Empúries. It’s ideally located next to the beach in a small bay. It has a lovely reception area with traditional black and white floor tiles and offers fantastic views across the Gulf of Roses from terrace. Rooms are fairly minimal in design with lots of white and wood and some have a sea view.
It’s no accident the hotel is so close to the ruins. Dating from 1907, it was built to provide lodging to the archaeologists who had started working at Empúries and also picked up business from some of the early tourists. In the first decade of the twenty-first century the hotel was taken over by a new owner with the plan of opening year round and upgrading the facilities. Since then it has been considerably refurbished and extended and spa facilities added. In 2010 it was the first hotel in Europe to earn the ecological LEED certificate.
Hostal Empúries is also one of the best places to eat in l’Escala. The chef is highly regarded Àlvar Ayuso, originally from Roses and who made his name in Barcelona with Alvart. Villa Teresita Restaurant offers Mediterranean haute cuisine made from organic local produce. Bistro del Mar is more relaxed but run to the same standards. Both have prices to match.
Facilities include a spa with pool, sauna, gym and shower circuit and bikes are available to rent from reception. The area is great to explore by bike with road traffic prohibited from the coastal path that runs in from of the hotel.
Can Miquel
*** Platja de Montgó
Hotel Can Miquel is ideally located near the pictureque beach of Montgó and offers a more comprehensive range of facilities than any of the hotels situated in l’Escala itself.
Rooms are cleanly designed in a modern style with lots of white and light wood and all have a terrace furnished with table and chairs. A well as standard doubles there family rooms available for up to four. There are also garden rooms consisting of two rooms and a small private garden area, which can be used to sleep up to three. The hotel also has ground floor rooms converted for wheelchair users.
The bay at Montgó is undoubtedly picturesque although holidaymakers pack themselves on the beach like sardines during August.Just as well you’ll find two pools within the extensive gardens then. As well as tennis courts for anyone with spare energy there is plenty of space to sit out and enjoy the summer evenings with a glass of wine.
Pets are allowed on request for which you may be charged extra.
Hotel Riomar
* Carrer Riuet 3
Founded in 1969 with just a few rooms, Hotel Riomar was one of the first hotels built in the area to capitalise on the emerging tourist boom. Located beyond the medieval village of Sant Martí d’Empúries, the hotel is perfect for both El Riuet, the long stretch of sandy beach that extends all the way to Empuriabrava, and the smaller beaches towards l’Escala.
The hotel has a variety of rooms to cater for singles all the way up to family rooms for four and pets are welcome without an additional charge. The rooms are basic but comfortable although slightly dated in decor. There are also a number of studio apartments available.
Facilities include a large pool within the grounds and tennis courts and the garden is pleasantly shaded by trees. As well as a restaurant and bar within the grounds, offering Catalan cuisine and sandwiches, the Riomar also offers guests access to the car park for free.
While dogs are banned from most of l’Escala’s beaches, you can take your faithful friend to El Rec del Molí , the first beach between l’Escala and Sant Martí. It’s also common to see dogs on El Riuet, which is popular with nudists and windsurfers but lacks a lifeguard.
If you’ve got any questions or comments about l’Escala hotels I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below!
For even more choice see Costa Brava hotels, which lists all the hotel pages on this site.
