History
Hotel Diana
Strolling through Hotel Diana is like travelling back in time. The building where you are staying today was not always a hotel: this modernist gem by the sea was born as Casa Sans, also known as Casa Falguera. And why so many names? Because behind them lies a story that deserves to be told.
From family home to work of art
From family home to work of art
It all began in 1906, when Joan Sans, a cork merchant who had made his fortune in Colombia, commissioned the construction of his summer house. He wanted something special, and he succeeded: the architect was Antoni de Falguera i Sivilla, a disciple of Puig i Cadafalch and a key figure in Catalan Modernism.
The house was built upon a ruined former fisherman’s dwelling. The result: an elegant building with character, which would later be declared a “unique building” due to its artistic value. Thus, Casa Sans was born, also known as Casa Falguera.
From bourgeois splendour to hotelier spirit
The metamorphosis of Hotel Diana
In 1930, after a difficult period, the Sans family sold the property. Fernando Vilallonga i Balam became the new owner and left his personal mark on the house: he incorporated the emblematic sculpture of the goddess Diana, signed by the celebrated Frederic Marès, and commissioned the Carrara marble staircase that still presides over the lobby today.
Years later, the house passed to his great-niece, Mercedes Gotarra Blanqué, who made a decision that would define the building’s future: converting it into a hotel in 1958. Thus, Hotel Diana was born, which has remained a family business full of soul and dedication ever since.
Modernism overlooking the sea
Architecture with character, details with history
The exterior of Hotel Diana does not go unnoticed:
- A maritime façade with modernist gargoyles representing the four seasons, designed by Falguera and sculpted by Alfons Juyol.
- Ceramic mosaics, wrought-iron balconies and details reminiscent of Gaudí’s Casa Vicens.
- An interior courtyard with a decorated well, a marble fountain featuring intertwined fish and two imposing Yatay palm trees that have become symbols of the hotel.
Spaces with soul: where history lives
The interior, just as it was dreamed
Walking through the interior of Hotel Diana is a journey through time without compromising on modern comfort. Original elements are preserved, giving every room a unique atmosphere:
- Iris Room: red walls, chandeliers and original busts.
- Diana Room: encaustic cement tile floors with swans, stained-glass windows and the central sculpture of the goddess that gives the hotel its name.
- Fireplace Room: a blend of stone, ceramics and wrought iron, presided over by the busts of Joan Sans' daughter and her husband, Francesc Rissech.
Today: A boutique hotel with soul
Every room, a different story
Today, Hotel Diana is a boutique hotel that combines historical charm with contemporary comfort. The rooms have been carefully renovated, respecting the original essence. No two are the same: each has its own personality, unique details and captivating views.
The history of Hotel Diana is not kept in books: it is lived in every corner, felt in every space, and shared with every guest.