Hotel Playa Victoria

With a prime location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Hotel Playa Victoria is a worthy pick for those looking to spend some relaxing days by the sea. The crowd is mostly couples here, but its rooms with two queen beds and two-bedroom suites draw families as well.

Decor is a mix of contemporary styles and laid-back, beach-y motifs. The lobby is bright and airy, with large open spaces and gleaming cream-colored floors. There’s a casual lobby bar with tables along floor-to-ceiling windows. The interior also has a fountain decorated with large steel palm trees and an abstract sculpture located across from the curved front desk. A spiral staircase leads to the restaurant, found in a lofted area overlooking the lobby.

The hotel has a convenient location on one of the best beaches in Cádiz. Playa Victoria is a long stretch of fine golden sand a short drive from the city center and within walking distance of many restaurants, bars, and shops. There are no major tourist attractions close by on foot, but buses stopping right outside the hotel's front door will get guests to the city center in less than 15 minutes. The Cathedral of Cádiz and the lovely historic district are just an eight-minute drive away.

Hotel Playa Victoria offers a wide array of room types, from basic Standard Rooms to large two-bedroom suites. Standard units are a tad small and bland for the price, but the rest of the room categories are more spacious and attractive. Units feature wooden floors -- some guests say they’re too squeaky -- large windows, and balconies furnished with plastic chairs and a table. Amenities also include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and fully stocked minibars. The highlight, however, is the view: All spaces have at least a partial ocean view, and for a fee guests can book a room with a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.

Suites are located on the top floor, and feature the best views in the hotel. Spaces are large, with up to two bedrooms, a living room, and a bathroom with a jetted tub and Molton Brown toiletries.

Hotel Playa Victoria offers an array of convenient on-site amenities, including indoor parking, a breakfast room with ocean and pool views, and a bright lobby bar serving coffee, snacks, and cocktails. However, the highlight here is the beach, arguably one of the best in town. It can get busy, particularly on weekends, but the hotel has a number of private loungers for guests during the summer months. An on-site freshwater pool overlooks the beach and has a sunbathing area with loungers as well. The restaurant Isla de León serves regional and international cuisine in the mezzanine. The four fully equipped meeting rooms make the property an ideal pick for those in town for business, but the crowd here is mostly couples. The hotel does not have a fitness center.