Hotels and places to stay in Calonge

Calonge, in the heart of the Costa Brava, offers almost two hundred accommodation options, and the choice depends more on what you're looking for than on overall quality. The offer is divided between the historic centre, a couple of kilometres from the beach, and the coastal area of Sant Antoni de Calonge, which is where most of the apartments and studios are concentrated. If what you want is to have the beach right on your doorstep and not depend on the car for every swim, Sant Antoni is your place: there's a seafront promenade, supermarkets and restaurants, and the atmosphere is livelier in summer. The old town, on the other hand, gives you peace and quiet, charming streets and somewhat lower prices, but you'll have to take the car or the bicycle to go down to the coast, or use the urban bus that connects both areas in about ten minutes.

The difference between types of accommodation is notable. There are 80 villas, ideal if you're travelling as a group or as a family, because they usually have a garden and private pool, although they are more oriented towards week-long stays. The 48 holiday homes and the 45 apartments are the most flexible option for couples or small families, and you'll find them both on the front line and in quiet residential developments. There are only 4 hotels and one guesthouse, so if you prefer the service of an establishment with a reception and services, book in advance, because the offer is limited. The average category of the whole set is 3.5 stars, which gives you an idea that there are no great luxuries, but neither unpleasant surprises as far as cleanliness and basic equipment are concerned.

As for prices, the cheapest you'll find is around 87 euros per night, and the average stands at 204. If you want it to work out cheaper for you, avoid July and August, when owners raise rates by up to 40%. May, June and September are the ideal months: the water is already at a good temperature in June and September, and prices drop considerably. To get there, the most practical thing is to fly to Girona (35 minutes away) or to Barcelona (an hour and a half away), and rent a car, because public transport within Calonge is scarce and the residential developments are scattered. Before booking, take a good look at whether the accommodation includes bed linen and towels, because in many apartments they are charged separately, and check whether the final price includes the tourist tax and the departure cleaning. It's also advisable to check the photos of the kitchen and the bathroom, which tend to be the rooms that differ most from what is advertised, and to read recent comments about noise, because some areas near the seafront promenade are bustling until late.