About Accommodation Reviews: Over many years I’ve stayed at countless lodgings and reviewed hundreds. Reviews on this site are based on the range and quality of facilities, helpfulness of staff, value for money, cleanliness, welcome received and overall experience. Scores also reflect convenience (for example, a great overnight stop at a decent hotel by a motorway might score similarly to a boutique hotel elsewhere). Scores are out of 5 (5=Excellent, 4=Very Good, 3=Good, 2=Average, 1=Poor). I only post reviews here for accommodation I would definitely return to (3 + stars).
I recently stayed at the Mas Vermell Apartments in rural Girona province, Spain, while wrapping up research for my next Discover Travel Guide (entitled Discover Splendid Girona). My original intention was to stay two nights while visiting some local places. However, I was so warmly welcomed, the surrounds so lovely and the facilities so good that I stayed two additional nights.
Mas Vermell is a few miles from the seaside town of L’Estartit in an area of beauty where you could easily spend weeks and weeks exploring (I know, because I keep coming back to the area staying for weeks at a time in my motorhome).
The area offers traditional, stone-built medieval Catalonian villages, stunning beaches, hiking, cycling and various other outdoor activities, including a superb natural park a few miles away which is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Various Costa Brava resorts are nearby and the historic city of Girona is about 40 minutes away by car.
The accommodation is located in a lovely rural setting surrounded by farmland. Indeed, part of the estate is a working farm. From each room’s terrace you can sit out and have breakfast while taking in the lovely views and tranquil atmosphere. The apartments are housed in a traditional stone-built Catalonian farmhouse building.
Each accommodation is in fact a suite, or apartment, with a fully equipped kitchen (including all necessary kitchenware and a Nespresso coffee machine), sitting room with sofa, table and chairs and bathroom. There is also an internet-connected large flatscreen television and free WiFi. There is central heating which keeps the apartment cosy in the winter. Parking is available on site just a few yards away from each of the apartments.
The apartment I stayed in had two double bedrooms (one on a mezzanine floor). Everything is organised and decorated pleasantly giving it a nice, homely feel. The accommodation is impeccably clean and attention to detail is evident throughout. There were also nice personal touches evident (for example, when I arrived there were eggs from the farm’s own hens in a small basket by the stove, a jar of their own olive oil, a handful of coffee capsules and sugar).
This is a family-run business and the owners were very welcoming. Mas Vermell is managed by Esther who is very helpful and kind.
My only disappointment was that I did not find this place earlier. I spent the four days before my arrival at Mas Vermell at another apartment further south but would have gladly spent all eight days here and willingly travelled about more had I known about this place. I will certainly return.
You can book your stay through the main hotel and accommodation websites. However, I arranged the two additional nights directly with the owners and received a lower rate, so it may be best to arrange your stay with Mas Vermell directly through their website (which can be viewed in English, Spanish, French and Catalan). There is a gallery containing various images of the cottages and surrounds.
Note too that several of the apartments can accommodate additional guests making a family stay or with friends even more cost-effective.
Book a stay for a few days in these tranquil settings and feel the stresses of daily life evaporate!