‘The Hidden’ is an appropriate name for the hotel; we travelled via windy terraces and gnarly olive groves to find this a lovely corner of Spain. In May, clusters of scarlet and violet spring flowers seemed almost photo-shopped onto the sepia-toned landscape.

The hotel is owned by the ex-England football manager Terry Venables; the lawn actually used to be a football pitch! It was built in 1891 and opened as a 10 roomed boutique hotel in 2014. The hotel oozes character from its restored beams to original stonework, and plenty of attention has been paid to the communal spaces which are light yet cosy.

The bedrooms are beautifully decorated, with plenty of tasteful features. Although we were a little perplexed by the earplugs on the nightstand; the only sounds we heard all stay was birdsong!

A wander to the shaded viewpoint preceded a cocktail on the terrace as the shepherd gathered the sheep in and the sun set behind the mountains. Not a bad start to an evening!

Depending on where you sit in the inviting restaurant you can get a glimpse of the action in the busy kitchen. The British chef creates delicious dishes with the unusual mix of refined presentation and decent portion size. The tasty in-between course treats were an unexpected bonus.

Breakfast on the terrace was leisurely and glorious, with the aromas from the lavender beds and views of the almond groves creating a wonderful ambience to the generous a la carte menu (plus additional buffet style choices should you want more!) The service from all the team was exemplary; friendly, informative and helpful.

There is still some work to be done (private rustic cabins are due for completion in 2015) and planting was still underway in the herb borders and generous flower beds. But this hotel is definitely one to watch- and return to.

It’s a pleasing start when the greeting you get from reception is the friendliest ever. Not only very welcoming, the staff seemed genuinely enthusiastic about both the hotel and the city, which honestly, is pretty unusual. Before we’d even got to our room the eager excitement for this often dismissed city had rubbed off.

The hotel feels modern, but the fabric of it is anything but. The context for its ‘relaxed luxury’ interior is old brick walls, high arched windows, a dimly lit courtyard and a roof top terrace with views encompassing an early medieval castle. Float dreamily in the roof top pool, as the sun slowly shifts the deliciously old-world skyline to silhouette. As the pool is encased in glass even the chilly months shouldn’t deter you.

Location wise you couldn’t be more central. One road back from the beach and paseo, a stone’s throw from the marina, close enough to bars and restaurants to get a sense of the lively atmosphere, tucked away enough that it doesn’t keep you awake.

If you can’t quite extricate yourself from the peaceful and relaxed ambience to eat then there’s a treat on your doorstep- a tantalising Michelin starred restaurant – Monastrell Restaurant. Tucked away at the end of the narrow inner courtyard it’s so close you could almost venture down in your slippers.

From our 2 night stay, you can certainly understand why the 5* Hotel Hospes Amerigo is number 1 on TripAdvisor for Alicante.

 
Valencia seems rather under-rated but while everyone else is flocking to more obvious city destinations, a stay at the conveniently situated Hotel Balneario Las Arenas will definitely put it on your favourites map.

Restoration from the original 19th structures has lent the hotel a distinct turn of the century elegance. Many of the floors are Italian marble. Its façade, particularly from the back, is rather grand, with ornate balconies and colonnades, and the sort of dramatic staircases you’d like to sweep down in a ball gown. Plenty of seating areas around graceful water features and tamarind trees set the tone- you’re here for unhurried pleasure.

The most striking feature has to be the prominence of the beach, just steps away. No meagre sliver either but an expanse of sand generous enough for sand sculptors to craft enormous Taj Mahals which are still dwarfed by the vast horizon.

The location of the hotel is intriguing. A lively paseo of eateries and bars lies on one side, offering a handy alternative should you wish to eat within ambling distance of the hotel. To the other is, well, nothing. Just huge beach, a wide, well-kept promenade and a series of crumbing, retro buildings. Yes, it’s run down, despite the regeneration attempts associated with the fleeting appearance of the Grand Prix. But it’s got great character and is rather charming.

The most notable aspect of the rooms, apart from the uninterrupted ocean views, is the bathroom ‘hydromassage cabin’. Which I can mostly closely describe as like a jacuzzi standing up. We visited the city in winter, and hotels often have a somewhat ‘echoey’ vibe off peak. Even so, the staff were impeccably helpful and despite their formal attire, took repeated and genuine pleasure from teasing our wandering toddler’s uncontrollable giggles. That gets a big thumbs up from us.

 
Imagine you would love to visit Asia but can’t right now. Well, if you are based in Europe, The Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa on the Costa Blanca proved a fairly authentic ‘Asia away from Asia’ experience. From the way the staff dress to the elaborate ornamental features, if you woke up in the hotel without knowing how you got there, it might take you a while to notice the difference.

The lobby is vast and impressive, characterised by calm spaces and soaring ceilings. Then there are the expansive gardens. We visited in autumn where brightly coloured blooms were still plentiful. Secluded pathways wind through exotic shrubs, alongside attractive water features. Plenty of thought has been given to the numerous and varied pools, from the wide and sweeping to hidden and exclusive. Different styles of bars and restaurants overlook this pool medley, ensuring that you won’t need to leave your sun lounger for very long.

Our generous sized room had an attractive sliding screens feature to the bathroom, although our balcony overlooked nothing more than a bush which was somewhat unusual. Most other rooms did appear to have views of the grounds and distant city horizons.

The hotel also features a luxury Thai Spa where every treatment you can imagine is available, unfortunately though we did not get to try it but heard some great things from some other guests.