Gran Hotel Delfin

The four-story Gran Hotel Delfin has a whitewashed exterior with blue cursive signage, and an outdoor terrace off to one side. This is a popular spot for couples to have breakfast or evening drinks while overlooking the sea. Inside, the atmosphere is classic, due to shiny marble tiles surrounding a wood-paneled front desk, as well as a gilded doorway that leads down a hall filled with antique furnishings. A red door marks the elevator, but guests often opt for the stunning open staircase with brass railings and a wall outfitted with a patchwork of stained-glass windows. Though families stay here, the ambience is mostly geared toward couples. 

The hotel is located right across the street from Poniente Beach, the longest stretch of sand in Benidorm. It's popular throughout the summer, but still tends to be less crowded than the touristy Levante beach -- which is found about a 16-minute drive to the east. There are a few restaurants on the seafront, but the main drag of bars, restaurants, and shops around Old Town are too far to walk; most guests opt to take a 10-minute car ride there. The nearest airport is in Alicante, a 45-minute drive away.

The hotel's 98 rooms are generally in line with other four-pearl rooms in Benidorm. These have a simple, modern decor that's perhaps slightly more daring in its purple- or orange-colored furnishings than the norm. Speckled stone floors pair with purple accent walls, along with minimalist dark wood furnishings. All have simple desks and chairs, along with flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, but there are no coffeemakers in standard rooms. Some rooms have more ornate molded ceilings and exposed wooden beams. Most have private balconies, but not all have sea views. Sitting areas feature purple or orange armchairs, while larger Sea View rooms and Junior Suites add sofa beds. Bathrooms have either small stall showers or shower/tub combos, plus wall-mounted hairdryers and a range of hotel-brand toiletries.

The hotel's lovely garden grounds are surrounded by palm trees for privacy from the street, and there's a sunbathing lawn laid out with loungers and umbrellas. More chairs and umbrellas are around the outdoor pool, which has a few jets and water features. There are outdoor tennis courts across the lawn, but no fitness center or spa. For dining, the buffet restaurant Mare Nostrum serves Mediterranean cuisine and a free breakfast buffet. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel and guests can rent tablets (in exchange for a deposit). A sports bar and cocktail lounge called Olympo has flat-screen TVs for sporting events and a stage with regular evening entertainment. Sharing service from the restaurant and bar, the highlight of the hotel is the shady outdoor seating on the Delfin Terrace, found on the street corner fronting the beach promenade.