Lifestyle 16 coverB ING .indd - Porcelanosa Albania

HOTEL EL CONVENT DE BEGUR
Once a convent, now a retreat
The idea was to preserve the original structure of the
terraces, on which the founding friars would grow
different kinds of produce for their own consumption.
ABOVE Bench-deck chair, from Teklassic. ABOVE RIGHT In the hotel exterior and common areas, the model Manual Musgo Protegido,
from L’Antic Colonial, has been used; in the rooms, Venice Ivory 31.6 x 59.2 cm, from Porcelanosa and White Almeria Protegido and Beige Travertino Protegido,
This hotel is located in the charming Begur,
the heart of the region of Bajo Ampurdán, in
Girona, between luxuriant mountains and the
seacoast. More specifically, it stands on Sa
Riera Creek, one of the privileged corners
of the Costa Brava. In the streets of this
Catalonian location we can find buildings
that evoke a rich historical past – like the
imposing medieval castle that dominates
the village, or the building of this hotel,
that originally housed among its walls the austere rooms of a
convent. A wonderful place perfectly integrated into the natural
environment, and in which peace and quiet preside. The building,
located on an exceptional spot, is surrounded by a Mediterranean
wood of holm-oaks and pines.
The construction was built as a convent in the year 1730 by the
Order of the Minim friars, and the restoration and adaptation works
to convert it into a hotel with today’s commodities began in 2001
and were completed in 2005. It has a total of 25 rooms plus the
restaurant Refectori, which offers refined and imaginative dishes.
The principal idea of the landscaping project, carried out by Joseph
M. Serra, was to preserve the original structure of the terraces, in
which the friars who founded the convent would grow different
kinds of produce for their own consumption. The old orchids are
now natural terraces in which guests can enjoy reading under the
shade of the cypresses. The materials include the stone typical of
the region that reinforces the terrace faces, and train sleepers that
have been used to make trellises. The garden lighting contributes to
create a quiet and nice atmosphere thanks to low-consumption light
columns made out of oxidized iron. As regards vegetation, native
species have been chosen: black pines, olive trees, cypresses, fruit
trees and ivy. The reason for this choice is they easily integrate and
perfectly adapt to the climate of this region. All the construction
elements are in harmony with the landscaping project and with this
the natural character of the whole, preserving the essential concept
42 from L’Antic Colonial, in common toilets and in some rooms.
of the monks who founded the convent. /
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