FEATURE FOCUS
A seductive boutique hotel in the capital of the Costa Brava
- EL EQUIPO CREATIVO -
El Equipo Creativo has completed the interior design of El Palau Fugit . Located deep in Girona ’ s atmospheric Barri Vell ( Old Quarter ), the awardwinning studio converted a disused 18th-century palace into a destination hotel as charming and seductive as Girona itself .
El Equipo Creativo used the ‘ two Gironas ’ as their creative starting point . The first is the Barri Vell ; an emblematic district of weathered stone facades , hidden cul-de-sacs , porticoes , and stone ramparts . In contrast , the designers have highlighted the lighter side of the city - namely the vibrant colours that bathe the townhouses flanking the River Onyar , along with Girona ’ s most famous spring celebration - El Temps de Flors ( The Time of Flowers ). These influences , enhanced with striking modern art and crafted objects , create a hotel that begs to be discovered and enjoyed .
“ We aimed to create a sense of high luxury minus the pretensions . We respected the original architecture , of course , but with fresh , elegant , surprising and , at times , a little disruptive elements .” El Equipo Creativo
The building Palau Fugit unfolds in two principal parts , both adapted to the needs of modern travellers and experience hunters by the Barcelona-based architecture studio Isern Associats . The first is the original palauet . Here , an arched courtyard , renamed ‘ La Placeta ’, holds the reception area , restaurant , and cocktail bar , as well as a tucked-away spa-for-one .
Guests ascend to rooms via the original staircase of the palace .
The second building , named the Pavelló , is an annexe that takes shape with a modern , rational approach . Both volumes are connected by a terrace , or the ‘ heart ’ of the hotel . Endowed with a small swimming pool , abundant ferns , and a poetic central sculpture ( titled Font de Gararotes ) by renowned local artist Frederic Amat , it provides a serene oasis for guests and a natural connection between the two edifices .
The rooms For the rooms in El Palauet , El Equipo Creativo reimagined the sumptuous decor of the fin de siècle through a prism of contemporary design and art . The designers ’ goal was to instill a ‘ feminine ’ presence throughout , recreating the warm and eclectic ambiance of a noble family nest . Careful attention to detail and the selection of materials and textures create a rich visual experience . This is further enhanced by a curation of paintings , sculptures , murals , and photographs - all of which are original works by local artists .
Although each room and suite presents a design story unto itself , gothic arches and porticoes , a dominant architectural motif of Girona ’ s Barri Vell , are a recurring influence and narrative .
Curvaceous chaise longues , bespoke rattan bed heads , and avant-garde lighting enfold the guest . Surfaces and textiles , from velvet drapes to strategically placed mirrors , invite the user to linger and relax in
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