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9 September 2026

From Three to Twelve: The Expansion of Our Bungalow Fleet (1985–1992)

If you are choosing a campsite stay, one question matters quickly: will the accommodation match the way you want to travel? The story of the expansion of our bungalow fleet at Camping Les Medes answers that question through a key moment in our history. Between the first major works after 1984 and the decision in 1992 to increase the total number of bungalows to twelve, the campsite evolved in step with what guests were looking for.

This period was not an isolated project. It was part of a broader transformation that reshaped the campsite after the Pla-Coll family acquired the business in 1984 and renamed it Càmping Les Medes. In this article, you will learn how the first three bungalows became twelve, what else was changing around them, and why that growth still matters when planning a stay today.

A direct answer: why did the bungalow fleet grow?

The bungalow fleet grew because the first units became very popular, leading Camping Les Medes to expand their number to a total of twelve in 1992.

That simple fact says a great deal. It shows that guests were responding positively to this style of stay and that the campsite adapted by increasing capacity. In hospitality, growth like this usually reflects a clear pattern: when visitors value a certain type of accommodation, adding more of it helps the business serve demand more effectively while broadening the ways people can enjoy the destination.

The starting point: a campsite in transformation

To understand the expansion of our bungalow fleet, it helps to begin with the broader history of the site.

By 1968, there were already five campsites in L’Estartit, and during July and August they were, according to local historian Marcel·lí Audivert, filled to bursting point. In that same summer, the Granja Bona Festa, owned by Joan Dalmàs, first opened as a campsite at Camp de l’Arbre. Set among cultivated fields and backed by the Montgrí mountains, the site had a distinctive natural setting from the beginning.

After the death of its owner, the campsite passed through a period of decline. Over the years, it was let to several tenants, and the facilities gradually fell into disrepair.

Everything changed in 1984, when the Pla-Coll family bought the business and renamed it Càmping Les Medes. From that point, the direction was clear: invest, improve, and prepare the campsite for a stronger future.

1984–1985: the first works that made bungalow growth possible

In September 1984, the first building works began so the campsite could open the following summer. These initial improvements were substantial and show that the addition of bungalows was part of a larger renewal rather than a one-off change.

The work included:

This matters because it places the first three bungalows in context. They were introduced at the same time as essential guest facilities and infrastructure were being improved. That suggests a clear operational vision: offer more choice while also strengthening the services that support a comfortable stay.

Why the first three bungalows mattered

The addition of three bungalows represented more than an increase in accommodation numbers. It marked an important broadening of the guest experience at Camping Les Medes.

Traditional camping appeals to travellers who enjoy bringing their own setup, whether a tent, caravan, or another camping arrangement. Bungalows add another way to stay, making the campsite accessible to guests who want the atmosphere of a camping holiday with a more fixed accommodation format.

In practical terms, that can make a campsite more appealing to:

The historical record does not need elaborate claims to show the outcome. The key result is already clear: the bungalows were becoming very popular.

1987 to 1989: improving the overall guest experience

The years after the first bungalows were added also brought further investment across the campsite.

In 1987, Camping Les Medes built a new swimming pool. In 1989, it added a second bathroom block.

These improvements are important when looking at bungalow growth. Accommodation demand does not exist on its own. Guests judge a stay by the full experience: facilities, convenience, comfort, and the quality of shared spaces. As the campsite improved these areas, it strengthened the appeal of staying on-site in any format, including bungalows.

What these improvements likely meant for guests

While the historical facts speak for themselves, the practical implications are easy to see:

This is how successful hospitality growth often works: accommodation expands alongside guest services, not ahead of them.

1992: from three to twelve

The decisive milestone came in 1992, when Camping Les Medes chose to expand the bungalow fleet to a total of twelve.

The key fact

By 1992, the number of bungalows increased from three to twelve because they had become very popular.

That growth is significant for two reasons.

First, it reflects confidence. Increasing from three to twelve is not a minor adjustment. It shows that the campsite saw sustained value in this type of accommodation and responded accordingly.

Second, it reflects guest-led evolution. The decision was tied directly to popularity, which means the campsite was listening to how people wanted to stay.

A timeline of the bungalow expansion

Year Milestone
1968 The Granja Bona Festa first opened as a campsite in the summer of 1968
1984 The Pla-Coll family bought the business and renamed it Càmping Les Medes
September 1984 The first major works began to reopen the campsite the following summer
1985 Three bungalows were part of the renewed campsite offer
1987 A new swimming pool was built
1989 A second bathroom block was built
1992 The bungalow fleet was expanded to a total of twelve

What changed in guest demand?

The clearest answer is already in the historical record: guests embraced the bungalows, and their popularity drove expansion.

Beyond that, the change points to a broader hospitality reality. Travellers often want options. Some prefer classic camping plots. Others look for a stay that keeps them close to the same shared spaces and holiday atmosphere while offering a different accommodation format.

By growing the bungalow fleet, Camping Les Medes did not move away from camping. Instead, it strengthened its ability to serve different guest preferences within the same destination.

Why accommodation variety matters

A campsite with more than one style of stay can often better support:

  1. Different travel habits
  2. Different comfort preferences
  3. Different trip lengths
  4. Different group needs

That flexibility is valuable for guests because it helps them choose the holiday format that suits them best while still enjoying the same location and shared facilities.

How today’s visitors benefit from that growth

The expansion from three to twelve bungalows still matters because it reflects a lasting principle: Camping Les Medes has a history of adapting and improving in response to guest needs.

That same pattern appears elsewhere in its development. After 1992, the campsite continued to invest in improvements. In September 1996, work began on the heated swimming pool, which was inaugurated at Christmas the same year. In 2003, the old caravan park was replaced with a new sports zone for tennis, beach volleyball, basketball and five-a-side football.

Over time, this philosophy of continuous improvement also led to a series of recognitions and milestones, including:

For visitors, this longer story gives meaning to the bungalow expansion. It was one milestone in a wider tradition of upgrading facilities, refining the guest experience, and developing the campsite within an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable framework.

Practical takeaways for guests considering a bungalow stay

If you are deciding whether this type of accommodation suits your next trip, these points can help.

1. Think about how you want to experience the campsite

A bungalow stay can suit guests who want to enjoy the atmosphere and facilities of a campsite while choosing a more fixed accommodation format.

2. Look at the wider setting, not just the unit itself

The original site was surrounded by fields and set against the backdrop of the Montgrí mountains. The appeal of staying here has always been linked to the wider environment as well as the accommodation.

3. Consider the value of a campsite with a history of improvement

The bungalow expansion did not happen in isolation. It came alongside infrastructure upgrades, leisure facilities, and long-term investment. For guests, that is often a strong sign of a place committed to evolving over time.

If you are planning a stay, it also makes sense to look into related topics such as:

More than a number: what twelve bungalows really represented

It is easy to read “from three to twelve” as a simple increase in units. But in reality, that change represented something bigger.

It showed that Camping Les Medes was building a more versatile holiday experience. It showed that guest demand was shaping development. And it showed that the early years under the Pla-Coll family were defined by active, practical improvements rather than small cosmetic updates.

When a campsite expands accommodation because guests have embraced it, that is often one of the clearest signs that the business is paying attention to real holiday needs.

Conclusion

The story of the expansion of our bungalow fleet is a story of listening, improving, and growing with purpose. After the Pla-Coll family acquired the campsite in 1984, the first major works introduced three bungalows alongside upgraded guest facilities and 100 new plots. As those bungalows became increasingly popular, Camping Les Medes expanded the fleet in 1992 to a total of twelve.

That milestone helped shape a broader pattern of continuous improvement that continued with new leisure areas, stronger facilities, recognised quality standards, and a clear sustainability focus.

If you want to discover more about Camping Les Medes, explore its history, learn more about its facilities, or plan your next stay, now is the perfect time to take the next step and get in touch.