Hotels
The best hotels in Alicante: eight places to stay, city and coast
Beneath the palms of the Explanada de España, a mosaic of red, black and cream tiles ripples along the pavement like waves, millions of tiny stones laid by hand. Pensioners play cards on the benches, yachts bob in the marina, and above it all looms the Santa Bárbara castle. Alicante is a real Spanish city with a beach in the middle of town, and the appeal is obvious within an hour.
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Alicante is the capital of the Costa Blanca, home to around 350,000 people, with an airport just fifteen minutes from the centre. The city has its own sandy beach, Postiguet, right below the castle, and an old quarter, El Barrio, of narrow streets, flower-draped balconies and bars that fill late. Further north lies the long Playa de San Juan, and the coast towards Benidorm and Altea holds some of the most popular resorts in Spain.
Flights from most UK airports take around two and a half hours, which makes Alicante one of the easiest winter sun and long-weekend escapes. The city itself is underrated: good food, a lively market hall, a beach you can walk to and prices well below Barcelona or Málaga. We have chosen eight hotels: three in the centre and old town, two by the marina and Postiguet, one at Playa de San Juan and two further up the coast. Links go to Hotels.com, and we always choose the hotel before the link.
In short: where to stay in Alicante
For city life, restaurants and a beach on foot, stay in the centre between the Explanada and the old town, or by Postiguet. Families wanting a long beach and calm will be happiest at Playa de San Juan. For a resort holiday or pretty white villages, the Benidorm area and Altea are half an hour north.
Our first choice: Hospes Amérigo. Check availability and prices
Best for romance: SH Villa Gadea
Best for families: Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa
Best for a first visit: Hospes Amérigo
Best for value: Hotel Les Monges Palace
Best for design: Hotel Casa Alberola
How to choose a hotel in Alicante
City or beach holiday: the centre has Postiguet, but it is small and busy in summer. For a proper beach holiday, San Juan or the coast north is better.
Short airport hop: the airport is about fifteen minutes from the centre, and the airport bus stops in several places. Altea and Benidorm are a little over half an hour.
The old town after dark: El Barrio has plenty of bars open late at weekends. Choose a side street or the centre if you want to sleep.
The coastal tram: the TRAM runs from the centre to San Juan and on to Benidorm and Altea, so you do not need a car to travel along the coast.
Big fiestas: the Hogueras de San Juan in June is the city's great festival of bonfires and fireworks. Fun, but noisy and expensive for a stay.
The building
Hospes Amérigo from the outside.
The centre and old town: the Explanada and El Barrio
Between the Explanada and the castle lie the shopping streets, the market hall and the old town, with churches, tapas bars and narrow lanes climbing towards Santa Bárbara. This is where the city lives, from breakfast until well past midnight.
Hospes Amérigo: a former convent with a rooftop pool
Hospes Amérigo occupies a former Dominican convent in the centre, a few blocks from the Explanada and the old town. Rooms are modern, in stone, wood and pale tones, and on the roof there is a pool looking up to the castle.
First-timers can book it with confidence, putting you in the middle of the city with a spa, a good restaurant and a roof terrace. It is a strong pick for couples and anyone who wants a stylish hotel. The rooftop pool is small and fills up in the afternoon, so go early. The surrounding streets are lively, but the rooms are well insulated.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hospes Amérigo
The view
The view from Casa Alberola.
Casa Alberola: a mansion at the end of the Explanada
Hotel Casa Alberola stands in an old mansion at the end of the Explanada, looking over the marina and the palms. The interior is elegant and contemporary, with pale colours, high ceilings and details from the original building.
This is our design pick and a good base if you want the marina, the old town and the shopping streets close by. It appeals to couples and lovers of historic hotels with modern comforts. There is no pool, but Postiguet beach is a stroll along the promenade.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Casa Alberola
The old town
A narrow street lined with flower pots in the old town, home to Les Monges.
Les Monges Palace: a quirky little hotel
Hotel Les Monges Palace sits in the old town, in an old building with rooms full of antiques, art and curiosities. Some rooms have a whirlpool bath or Japanese styling, and no two are the same.
It gets our vote as the value pick, putting you in the heart of the old town in a hotel with real personality for very little. It is well suited to couples and anyone who likes the unusual. Rooms are small and there are hardly any public spaces, but the location and atmosphere make up for it.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Les Monges Palace
The beach
The beach at Meliá Alicante.
The marina and Postiguet: a beach in the middle of town
Postiguet is the city beach right below the castle, with a promenade, palms and restaurants. Next to it lie the harbour and marina, where you can dine looking out over the boats.
Meliá Alicante: right by the beach and marina
Meliá Alicante stands between Postiguet beach and the marina, with sea views from many rooms. It is a big hotel with a pool, terraces and a short walk to the old town.
It is a good fit for families and anyone who wants beach and city in one, without buses or taxis. The location is hard to beat. The building is large and not especially pretty, and in summer the pool and beach are busy.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Meliá Alicante
The pool
The pool at Porta Maris.
Porta Maris: out on the harbour pier
Hotel Spa Porta Maris sits out on the pier in the harbour, surrounded by water on three sides and looking back at the city, the castle and the beach. There is a spa and a pool.
It works best for travellers who want to stay on the water, with the marina and restaurants outside and the old town ten minutes away. It works well for couples and short breaks. The interior is plain, so it is the view you are paying for. Ask for a room facing the city and castle, at their best in the evening.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Porta Maris
The beach
Sand, palms and the mountain behind: the coast around Alicante.
Playa de San Juan and the coast north
Playa de San Juan is a long sandy beach north of the city, with a promenade, restaurants and a tram into town. Further north are Benidorm and the white villages of Altea.
Port Alicante City & Beach: pools and a playground at San Juan
Hotel Port Alicante City & Beach is at Playa de San Juan, the long sandy beach north of the city. It has two outdoor pools, a children's pool, a playground and a garden. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there is a sauna.
It is made for families who want beach, pool and room for the children, with the tram into Alicante whenever you want to see the city. It also works for longer winter stays. It is a modern, practical hotel rather than a place with charm, and breakfast costs extra on some rates. In the evening the promenade fills with people out for a stroll and an ice cream.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Port Alicante City & Beach
The pool
The pool at Asia Gardens.
Asia Gardens: Thai gardens in the hills above Benidorm
Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa sits in the hills above Benidorm, with tropical gardens, several pools and Asian-style buildings. The spa is large, and the views stretch over the coast and mountains.
It takes our family pick, because the pools and gardens give plenty of space and something for every age. It also suits couples who want a resort holiday with a spa. It is not on the beach, so you will need a car or the hotel shuttle to swim in the sea.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Asia Gardens
The pool
The pool at SH Villa Gadea.
SH Villa Gadea: by the sea in Altea
SH Villa Gadea stands by the sea in Altea, built like a Mediterranean village, with a spa and a pool facing the water. The white old town of Altea, with its blue-domed church, rises on the hill behind.
It earns our romantic pick, offering peace, sea views and one of the prettiest small towns on the Costa Blanca right next door. It is ideal for couples. The beach is pebbly, and Alicante is around 45 minutes away.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at SH Villa Gadea
When to book
Winter: November to March is popular for winter sun, with mild weather and good rates. Book early for Christmas and February half-term.
Spring and autumn: April to June and September to October are many of the best weeks, warm and not too crowded.
Summer and fiestas: July and August are hot and busy. The Hogueras de San Juan around 24 June fills the city and pushes up rates.
Our first choice in Alicante
Hospes Amérigo
We recommend Hospes Amérigo because you stay in the middle of town, in an old Dominican convent a few blocks from the Explanada and the old town. Rooms are modern, with stone, wood and light colours. The hotel has a spa, a good restaurant and a rooftop pool looking towards the castle.
Hotels in Alicante: frequently asked questions
Where is the best area to stay in Alicante?
The centre between the Explanada and the old town for city life, Postiguet for a beach in town, and Playa de San Juan for a long beach and calm. On a first visit the centre is simplest, with Santa Bárbara castle above the city and the harbour just below.
How far is Alicante airport from the city centre?
Around 15 to 20 minutes by car or airport bus. Benidorm and Altea are about 45 minutes away. The C6 airport bus stops at several places in the centre, and taxis wait right outside the terminal. Torrevieja is about 40 minutes by car.
Is there a tram from Alicante to Benidorm?
Yes, the TRAM runs along the coast from Alicante to Benidorm and on towards Altea and Dénia. The ride to Benidorm takes about an hour, and the tram stops at several beaches on the way. Buy tickets from the machines at Luceros station in the centre. Trams run more often in summer.
Is Alicante worth visiting as a city?
Yes. The old town, castle, market hall and seafront make it a rewarding city break, not just an airport for the resorts. The airport buses and the tram make it easy to combine a city break with visiting friends and family.
Is Alicante warm in winter?
It is mild, with many days warm enough to sit outside. The sea is cool, so choose a hotel with a heated pool if you want to swim. Days are often 15 to 20 degrees, and the sun is warm out of the wind.