Hotel Areca

Hotel is lovely. Garden area to sit in the shade on hot days is nice. Room really comfortable. Places to eat and drink are a short distance away. Airport close by so really convenient if you are taking an early flight. The only down side for us, was at breakfast time. Two parties of school children were not looked after by their teachers and it was clear the hotel staff were not geared up for the amount of people taking breakfast. I’m sure it’s a one off, but the hotel needs to prepare better when there are lots of people eating breakfast

If you are seeking a hotel that whispers “luxury” and “pampering,” keep driving. However, if you are looking for a place that says, "you have either an early morning, or late flight, and I am physically near the airport,” then the Areca Hotel is your spiritual home. Our own room was a masterpiece of minimalism; and by minimalism, I mean there wasn't a single soft furnishing, picture, or splash of color to be found. It was a white-walled sanctuary of 'basic' and functional decor. The layout is equally scholarly, featuring a desk and chair positioned directly beneath the TV, perfect for those who want to pretend they’re studying for a finals exam while secretly watching Spanish game shows! The real 'highlight', however, was the bathroom. In a bold architectural choice, they decided that doors are far too overrated. The bathroom is completely open to the bedroom, providing a front-row seat to anyone using the shower. It’s certainly one way to fast-track intimacy with your traveling companion! Unless you know your partner 'very' well (or are particularly proud of your loofah technique), you might find yourself staring very intensely at those blank white walls while they wash! Our particular room (308) overlooked a busy road, so we were kept well-informed of Elche’s traffic patterns throughout the night. We also enjoyed the early-morning "Symphony of the Bin Lorry" below our window—no need for an early morning wake-up call then! This was followed by a breakfast buffet that felt like "feeding time at the zoo," courtesy of several loud children's water polo teams. I’ve never seen such high-octane energy over a cereal dispenser, or fully understood the trading value associated with small cartons of 'nutella' chocolate spread! The verdict: Perfect for a pre or post-flight crash pad. Just bring earplugs and a travel companion you know 'very' well.

A really lovely hotel with a superb restaurant. Staff are lovely, helpful, courteous and one man in particular had a great sense of humour without going over the top and kept it to a minimum. Reception staff were also very helpful, courteous and patient. Would I go there again? Absolutely I would. I found it to be very comfortable, meeting all of my particular needs without costing a huge amount of money. I actually can’t wait to go back!