Hotel AR Diamante Beach

AR Diamante Beach is similar to many other hotels in Calpe, if a bit more modern overall. It's housed in a 12-story white tower with long rows of balconies and a spacious pool deck in the back. A large entrance with multi-storied glass windows and several flags fluttering in the sea breeze makes the property look a little like an impersonal office building, an effect that doesn't quite diminish across any of the hotel's often busy interiors. The lobby, with its huge pillars, wood paneling, and curved metal stairs leading to the mezzanine, is striking, but the polished chrome and bland marble tiling all keep with the generic office-like vibe. Seating clusters with white couches placed along massive windows look more inviting for casual meetings than for relaxing. The property is a popular venue for corporate events due to its extensive meeting space, though in the warmer months it fills mostly with couples and families. During this time, the small pools and the buffet restaurant can feel overcrowded, and guests complain of long waits for the elevators. Still, both its full entertainment program and food get great reviews, making it one of the favorite picks in Calpe. Those looking for a quiet property may want to look elsewhere, though.

The hotel is located on a wide avenue connecting the newer part of Calpe to the historic center. There are two large supermarkets across the street from the property as well as a few other hotels nearby, but the heart of the action is along Fossa Beach, about a five-minute walk away. This is a popular tourist area and the beach is generally crowded in the summer. In the winter, though, the neighborhood is quieter and even a little sleepy at times. It's a 10-minute drive to the center of Calpe's charming Old Town. The main attraction in the newer part of town where the hotel is located is the panoramic view of Penon de Ifach, a stunning limestone crag that's surrounded by protected natural habitats for rare fish, birds, and plants. The main access point to the Penon is a 20-minute walk away. Other attractions in the area include Banos de la Reina archaeological site, St Michael’s Orthodox Church, and Monte Toix lookout point, all found within a 15-minute drive of the hotel. The city of Alicante and the airport are both an hour’s drive away. 

The hotel has 283 rooms, all of which are light and spacious, with large windows opening onto either small balconies with a couple of chairs and a table, or big terraces with two loungers and patio furniture. Inside, though, decor is modern, but entirely unmemorable, with basic blonde-wooden furniture, off-white tile floors, and a couple of pops of red. In lower category rooms -- like the standard Double and Supreme Rooms that we visited -- white bedding (some of which are bespreads) and curtains combine with a lack of wall art to create spaces that are the definition of plain. Junior Suites and Suites have more contemporary style, with recessed lighting, large black-and-white photos on walls, and soft furnishings that come in more appealing earth tones and patterns. All units include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, minibars, and safes. All but Double Rooms feature upmarket extras, such as Nespresso machines, Bulgari toiletries, pillow menus, and Egyptian cotton linens. Bathrooms are average as well, with clean shower/tub combos, a nice amount of counter space, dual sinks, contemporary fixtures, and professional hairdryers. Junior Suites have jetted tubs with rainfall showerheads, mosaic-tile walls, and wooden vanities. Entertainment from neighboring resorts can be heard from some rooms on lower floors, so it may be worth requesting something higher up for light sleepers.

One of the most talked about features at the AR Diamante Beach is its seasonal entertainment program. During the day, pool games and fitness activities keep adults and kids busy, while quality live music draws hundreds of guests every night. It can be loud, and some guests complain that it is mostly geared toward Spanish-speaking guests, but most consider the shows to be a notch above those at other hotels in the area. In the colder months the hotel is quieter and entertainment is limited to weekly evening shows. The hotel has three small pools on the main deck, including a shallow one for kids. There are dozens of loungers around it, and both palm trees and umbrellas provide some shade. Note that the hotel is surrounded by other towers, and parts of the pool deck are in the shade for hours at a time. Main meals are served at the buffet, which gets good reviews for quality and variety, and dinner is also served poolside during evening shows. Audrey’s, helmed by renowned chef Rafa Soler, serves excellent Mediterranean haute cuisine.  The spa offers a wide array of treatments, including chocotherapy and gold facials, as well as a large hydrotherapy area with a whirlpool and an indoor pool. High-end Germaine de Capuccini products are used in all treatments and massages. The fitness center is spacious and well-equipped, with a range of cardio and strength-training machines and free weights. There are over 21,500 square feet (1,997 square meters) of fully equipped event space, including a large hall that can hold up to 700 guests. All meeting rooms have natural light and audiovisual equipment, and the hotel is popular for business gatherings. The hotel also features a game room, on-site parking (for a fee), and free Wi-Fi throughout.