L'Aixart Aiguablava Hotel

My sister and I spent four days here during high season, and it was wonderfully peaceful despite the crowds elsewhere. Everything was simple and clean, with what we needed, and the owner and staff were friendly, welcoming, and really helpful. Begur, with its food and artisan shops, was just five minutes away by car. We also enjoyed walking down to fornells beach or Platja Fonda, away from the big resort crowds. I’d happily recommend a stay here.

I wasn’t staying at the hotel, so I can only comment on the restaurant, but if the hotel service is anything like it, guests are in good hands. The fresh, creative food uses lots of local ingredients, and the tomatoes in my dish came from their garden. The plating looked like it came from a five-star chef. There’s a lovely outdoor dining area surrounded by greenery. Inside, the floor-to-ceiling glass walls still make it feel as though you’re outside.

The rooms are spacious and nice, but the service fell below standard. We were given just two towels for eight days, one each. When I asked for another, the owner said he didn’t think that was normal because he uses one towel for a week himself. Housekeeping brought us another, but it smelled sour. We also had to get our own toilet paper, and while the bed was made, the room was never cleaned during our stay. There seems to be a water problem in the area: if someone else was showering or the pool was being filled, we couldn’t shower. That’s not what I want on holiday. We needed one extra night because of our flight, but the manager spoke as though we were lucky to stay there. We ended up moving hotels, which was the best decision. I wish we’d done it sooner.

The photos give a very misleading impression, like they were taken with a magic lens. In reality, things don’t look as they do online. It’s expensive for what is basically a restaurant with somewhere to sleep, and there are no services or amenities. Be careful, the positive reviews only talk about the restaurant. I’d never go back or pay those prices again.