Albir Playa Hotel & Spa

Albir Playa Hotel and Spa is housed in a modern building on lush tropical grounds. The lobby's soaring central atrium makes a striking first impression, with a curvaceous design and bright purple and orange accents. There's no loungy seating, which isn't an issue, as guests spend most of their time outdoors at the large freeform pool, surrounded by palm trees and flowering plants. The hotel is one of the few in the area to have a spa, which is another popular spot to relax. With its children's pool, kids' activity center, and playground, the Albir Playa draws its fair share of families, but the atmosphere is relatively sedate, so it also attracts couples. 

Albir Playa Hotel and Spa is located in L'alfas del Pi just off the major N-332 road. A supermarket and several shops, restaurants, and bars are within a short walk of the hotel. The El Albir tram station is about a 10-minute walk. It's roughly 15 minutes on foot to Albir Beach, and about a 12-minute walk to the Paseo de Las Estrellas promenade. 

As for area sights and attractions, Serra Gelada Natural park is a five-minute drive, and MundoMar animal park and Aqualandia (Spain's largest water park) can be reached in about 10 minutes by car. Benidorm is also a 10-minute drive, with Levante Beach, Terra Mitica theme park, and Castle Viewpoint, which offers sweeping views of the sea and surrounding area. Alicante Airport is a little more than 40 minutes by car from the hotel. 

Guest rooms at Albir Playa are bright and moderately stylish. Decor in some is contemporary and neutral, while others are more chic, with vivid magenta accents and eye-catching black-and-white-pattered bedding. There are honey-colored hardwood floors, headboards, and desks, and small seating areas with upholstered armchairs and side tables. Suites feature living rooms with sofa beds. 

All units have balconies, many of which have pool views, plus flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and free Wi-Fi, but they lack kettles or coffeemakers. Some double beds are two singles pushed together, and past guests have noted that the mattresses are hard. The hotel provides memory foam mattress toppers upon request, but supplies are limited. 

Bathrooms are spacious, and some have appealing pool-blue tile and bathtubs. All are equipped with hairdryers, bathrobes, and slippers, and suites add jetted tubs. 

Albir Playa offers an impressive array of on-site features. Topping the list is the large freeform outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and children's pool at the center of the property, with a snack bar that serves drinks and light fare. The hotel is one of the few properties in the area to have a spa, and it's swanky, with thermal pools, a hot tub and sauna, plus massages, body wraps, facials, aromatherapies, and other treatments. There's also a posh fitness center with up-to-date equipment with views of the landscaped grounds. 

For dining, the buffet restaurant serves a hot breakfast spread for a fee, and Mediterranean fare for lunch and dinner. All-inclusive plans are available. A summer seasonal a la carte restaurant offers lunch and appetizers throughout the day, and the hotel also has a cafeteria-style eatery and 24-hour room service. 

There's little in the way of evening entertainment here, which is typically found at similar hotels in the area. But other features include a game room, a kids' activity center, a playground, meeting rooms, wedding services, and bicycle rental. Wi-Fi throughout and on-site parking are free.