Costa Brava’s newest boutique hotel showcases Spanish-colonial elegance

A boutique hotel born from the restoration of an 18th-century Spanish palace, Palau Fugit awaits your next adventure

Boutique hotel, Palau Fugit, located deep in Girona’s atmospheric Barri Vell, pays homage to the charm and intimacy of its surrounding site and the city of Girona itself. The gateway to Costa Brava and the capital of Catalonia‘s Empordá region, Girona offers a mixture of culinary and cultural experiences that highlight the natural beauty of Spain. Girona also possesses a distinct Medieval character, so it’s no surprise that the city was one of the shooting locations for cult TV show, Game of Thrones.

Reimagined by the award-winning creative agency El Equipo Creativo, Palau Fugit amalgamates the remodel of an 18th-century palace with a fresh Spanish-colonial aesthetic. Barcelona-based architecture studio Isern Associats helped with the architectural remodel of the palace. The layout of the floorplan intersects contemporary design with the palace’s heritage, creating a dialogue between communal and semi-private spaces in the hotel.

Facilities

Within the original palace, an arched courtyard showcases the reception area, restaurant cocktail bar and a tucked-away spa that is accessible to locals, tourists and guests of the hotel. Guests can ascend to the suites and rooms, located in the contemporary expansion of the hotel, by the original staircase. The traditional and modern elements of the hotel are connected by a courtyard, featuring a small swimming pool, abundant ferns and a poetic central sculpture by the renowned local artist, Frederic Amat.

Dining

The hotel’s communal spaces seamlessly blend dining and drinking venues, relaxation facilities and a connection to nature, each elevated with meticulous attention to detail. In line with the overall theme of the hotel, Casa Heras, the hotel’s restaurant, is inspired by the social and hospitality areas of the original palace and adapted to the modern lifestyle. Modern art and objects elevate the spaces, as seen in the whimsical murals created by Joana Santamans. Sparkling copper pots and pans placed on an antique dresser fill the dining room, while the tables, chairs and fittings denote a timeless modern feel. The Gipsy bar provides a space for a cocktail and intimate conversation, surrounded by the ruins of the ancient walls. The library, La Biblioteca, is a space for celebration and was designed for private banquets and meetings around a beautiful oval marble table.

Reception

The reception area, strategically positioned adjacent to the courtyard, boasts a sense of Art Deco opulence and features a bespoke Yves Klein blue reception table beneath a blossoming golden chandelier. This composition sets the tone for the rest of the hotel – a concept that balances history and modernity, formality and informality – and offers a unique and welcoming base while experiencing the rich history and culture of Girona.

Accommodation

The rooms at Palau Fugit have been reimagined to honour the original heritage of the palace, while adapting a contemporary and fresh perspective, to portray a Spanish-colonial aesthetic. The inclusion of gothic arches, porticoes and a dominant architectural motif of Girona’s Barri Vell honour the site’s narrative. The amalgamation of materials and textures has been carefully selected, with the curation of original paintings, sculptures, murals and photographs by local artists, to create a rich visual experience.

The rooms located in the original dwelling – El Palauet, showcase chaise lounges, bespoke rattan bed heads, avant-garde lighting, velvet drapes and strategically placed mirrors. In each room sits a custom-made marble vanity unit, a monolithic interpretation of the dressing table. The warm colour palette of natural stone shades, soft blues, greys and blush tones, highlight a contemporary approach that breathes new life into the original features, including ceiling roses and intricately carved balcony shutters.

Contrastingly, the rooms in the modern expansion of the hotel – El Pavelló, showcase a palette of terracotta, locally made ceramics and wooden details evoking a mid-century aesthetic to the rooms, further enhanced by the natural light that filters through from the patio. The rooms feature splashes of colour and locally sourced textiles, handmade terracotta breeze blocks and tiles that create shadows and textured surfaces, rattan chairs and occasion tables that highlight the local craftmanship of Costa Brava ateliers.

palaufugit.com