First things first: for this part of the world, this is a very expensive hotel – more than 200 euros per night in peak season. My expectations were accordingly high: they were not met.

The hotel is beautifully situated, in open countryside some 3km outside the (somewhat dreary) town of La Bisbal d’Empordà. The hotel’s reception area, restaurant, public rooms and a small number of bedrooms are situated in what must originally have been a fine, old country house. The majority of the bedrooms – Garden Rooms, as they’re called – are in a modern, adjoining building. The Garden Rooms, whilst comfortable and well-appointed, with magnificent views, have a number of small, but irritating (and unexpected at this price-point) shortcomings – no waste-basket, no towel-rail in the bathroom (a most peculiar oversight) and no desk or table at which to write.

Much more significant – and commented upon by several other reviewers on this site – is the appalling level of service (and indifferent – and overpriced – food) in the restaurant. Having finished our starter, we waited the best part of an hour for our entrées. From what we could see, most of our fellow diners seemed to be having the same trouble. When the food – fillet steak and monkfish – finally arrived, it was cold. A (polite) complaint led to our plates being removed to the kitchen, to be returned to us some 15 minutes later, having clearly been reheated for a few seconds in a microwave oven. The maître d’ stood by and watched this happen without a word of concern or apology. And the price of this slow, cold, badly served and indifferent food? For two starters, two entrées, one dessert and water (no wine), the bill came to 97 euros. We ate in a Michelin-starred restaurant, on the coast, later in the week for about the same price!

The hotel has a captive audience for dinner – there is nowhere else to eat within walking distance and, even if you want to drive to La Bisbal, the choice there is very limited – and can get away with this because it knows that its guests have virtually no alternative.

Yes it’s a beautiful place, with wonderfully appointed rooms (albeit with minor irritations) but the restaurant is so poor – service, price and food (in that order) – that the hotel really cannot be recommended. Anyone looking for a luxury, country house hotel in this part of Spain would do much better at the Hotel Arcs de Monells in the nearby – and absolutely charming – village of Monells.

The first seven days of our Spain holiday was spent at the lovely Castell d'Emporda. Great location, easy drives into France, Girona, and day trips along the Coast of Brava. We stayed in room # 1 that had great views of the countryside from both the room and the shower!
It was a great way to start each morning looking out at the rolling countryside showering with incredible water pressure. We stay at allot of restoration properties and although beautiful, sometimes the water just drips.

The morning breakfast were typical of a European buffet. Lots of fresh fruit, breads, assorted meats and cheeses. They also provided eggs to order. One of the few places in Spain that had no problem with egg white omelettes. The staff had a great sense of humor and were very patient and helpfull with our bad spanish. Front desk staff
was great about making recommendations and booking dinner reservations at places that spoke no English. If you stay, be sure to ask about La Placa, it was a great dinner at another secluded hotel with out-door dining that was terrific. We brought the other couple traveling with us back later it was so good. The pool area with lounge "beds" and more of those beautiful countryside views was
great. My favorite place after a long day of driving was a vine covered patio over looking the pool and valley to unwind with a great
bottle of Spanish wine. The dinner menu was varied and everything we had was terrific. They provide a wide selection of movies in the lobby to watch in your room. Coming from the hectic New York City pace, Castell d'Emporda was the best retreat to escape and relax. I recommend it and will go back.

A fine hotel offering excellent food, albeit can be a little pricey. We thought the lunchtime Tappas was just about OK for the money. Good choice of wines though. Garden bedrooms on the top floor offer the best views across the plain. Rooms well appointed and very clean (loved the display of bats at dusk from the nearby woods as we sat on our balcony).

Nice pool and sun lounging area. A superb place to simply wind down. Recommended

The Castell is really a gem, great landscape around the plce, nice views, romantic rooms and excellant food and good service. We stayed in a tower room, which was the cheapest category but it was one of the best experiences I ever had, the room was small, but had a great atmosphere. The bathroom was very modern. The restaurant and bar were as well stylish and we had dinner in the restaurant which was a real treat. The pool scene is phantastic. The surrounding town of Emporada Bisbal is famous for ceramics. We also drove around ancient small and nice villages, they were untouristic in comparison to the overcrowded Costa Brava. There is no party crowd around so you can really relax here. The nearby Costa Brava is in easy reach, but I do not like this area so much, the coast is spoiled by too many bulidings. The reason why I am not rating 5 is, that the castell could also be found in Toscana, Italy or in France, it had no real typicla Spanish flair. But would definately recommend it as a romantic getway.