As we turned off the toll road, leaving France and heading toward the Costa Brava, we could see the hint of a city stretching before us. We had heard so many wonderful things about Girona, Spain. Our only regret is that we had just 24 hours to experience this medieval city. We searched for affordable luxury hotels on the internet and found the five star AC Hotel Palau de Bellavista. Located in the well-known residential area of “Les Pedreres” our little rental car climbed the steep hill, landing at this modern hotel with fabulous city views.
Due to our off-season January visit, we were able to afford a luxurious junior suite. With 74 rooms and four suites, this Marriott hotel is worth a stop. Perched high above the university town, AC Hotel Palau de Bellavista does, indeed, offer good views. It doesn’t hurt that the hotel is within walking distance to Muralla Carolingia (the medieval city wall) and is minutes to the Jewish Quarter and Plaza Catalunya.
All hotel rooms come with mini bar, plasma television and safe. Rooms feature a shower/bathtub combination and hair dryer. Our suite included white robes and slippers. A bonus feature that is rare to find in hotels these days; the windows open. Each room offers individually controlled air conditioner and the windows are soundproof.
We self parked our Hertz rental car in the complimentary parking lot and surveyed our sweet surroundings. With a modern looking king bed and plenty of pillows, we knew we would have a comfortable sleep that night.
After raiding the mini-bar (all contents included in the price of a suite) we walked down the path, leading us to the medieval city walls of Girona. Be sure to visit the Jardins de la Francesa and marvel at the iron gates surrounding the Girona Cathedral. You can have dinner at Girona Grill at the hotel, but we opted to eat tapas on La Rambla and sweet and savory crepes from a tiny shop tucked deep within the walls of the city.
Need to know:
Rates range from 60 Euros to 200 Euros for standard rooms. Breakfast is available for an additional fee of 13.20 Euro per person. Free wifi for all guests throughout the rooms and common areas. Are you a Marriott Rewards member? Download the mobile app, skip the check-in lines and go straight to your room.
Check in: 3:00 p.m.
Check out: 12:00 p.m.
Insider Tips: Easy access from toll road and a 15 minute drive from the three star Michelin restaurant Celler de Can Roca. If you hate being charged for using the mini bar, stay in a junior suite – everything is included. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown and AC Hotels on Instagram and @AC Hotels by Marriott on Twitter.
If You Go:
AC Hotel Palau De Bellavista
Pujada dels Polvorins
Girona, Spain 17004
AC Hotel Palau De Bellavista review and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. Not a sponsored hotel stay – I used my points earned from our Chase Visa rewards card. All opinions are my own.