AR Imperial Park, All Inclusive & Spa Resort

Tucked away in a quiet residential area about a 10-minute drive from central Calpe, the AR Imperial Park Spa Resort feels a little bit like a small Mediterranean village. Its rooms are housed in two-story whitewashed buildings with terra-cotta tile roofs, arched windows with yellow frames, and exposed wooden beams over spacious terraces. The grounds are lush and sprawling, with terra-cotta paths flanked by manicured lawns and plenty of shrubs, colorful flowers, and palm trees. Spacious concrete decks and grass areas wrap around the hotel’s seven pools, all decorated with fake rocks, bridges, and waterfalls. The location on the side of a hill allows for wonderful coastal views from much of the property, but also means that there are tons of steps that may be hard for less mobile travelers to navigate.

Interiors are generic throughout the hotel, but especially in the restaurant, which is decorated with a mix of basic wooden furniture and dated metal chairs with teal padding. Most guests come here to be outside, though, as common areas like the lobby are simply meant for those in transit to their rooms or elsewhere. The Imperial Park is focused on kids and family fun, and the vibe is bustling and a little loud at times. Daily entertainment for all ages is available poolside, and the kids are kept busy with non-stop games, competitions, and activities. There is music for children every evening during peak season, but some guests complain that it starts too late.

AR Imperial Park Spa Resort is on a small one-way street on the side of a steep hill outside of the city of Calpe. The area is quiet and residential, and the nearest restaurants, bars, and shops will all require a car or taxi to reach -- it's a 10-minute drive to either the area near Fossa Beach or the charming center of Calpe's Old Town. Travelers looking to spend a lot of time in Calpe or at the beach may want to stay look elsewhere. The hotel runs a free shuttle to the beach or town center, but guests are advised to book seats at least 24 hours in advance as it's often full. The Penon de Ifach, a stunning limestone crag and protected area that's home to rare fish, birds and plants, can also be found just over 10 minutes away by car from the Imperial Park. Alicante-Elche Airport is an hour's drive from the hotel. On-site parking is available for a fee.

The hotel has 175 apartments, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. All have spacious living rooms with sofa beds and open kitchens, but plates, glasses, flatware, crockery, and butane gas canisters are available on request only. Even the smallest units are spacious enough to comfortably families and groups, and all have big terraces with loungers and seating. Many feature stunning panoramic views of Calpe and the sea. It's worth noting that units located closest to the pools may pick up noise in the evening due to loud entertainment.

Those mostly positive attributes aside, decor ranges from bland to dated and worn. Supreme Bungalows are the nicest and feature simple IKEA-style furniture and a navy-and-beige color scheme that's fresh. However, generic tropical wall art and accents like dated kitchen tiling don't do much to upgrade the effect. Standard Bungalows are in worse shape, with old-fashioned wood furniture painted pastel green, yellow patterned bedspreads, and basic pine wood couches with ‘80s-style upholstery in primary colors. Guest have also reported maintenance issues in these lower-category units, including leaking toilets, cracks on walls, and chipped furniture. Standard amenities in all units include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TVs. Bathrooms are clean, but dated, in all units, with beige or pink accents, basic shower/tub combos with plastic curtains, and older wall-mounted hairdryers. 

The hotel’s best asset are its seven pools, spread over several levels and of different depths. All have spacious decks with dozens of loungers, but there have been complaints of guests reserving chairs with towels even before breakfast. Several pools are shallow enough for toddlers, and one of them has a slide that opens twice a day. Entertainment for all ages is available around the pools during busy vacation periods, and there is a seasonal kids’ club with indoor and outdoor activities. There is also evening entertainment, though some guests have noted that it starts quite late -- it goes until quite late as well, meaning some rooms pick up noise in the evening.

All meals are served at the buffet restaurant, which features a spacious dining room with large windows and several skylights. All-inclusive guests tend to find the menu repetitive after a few days, and food quality is just average for the price. Snacks and drinks are provided at the poolside bar as well, though we found the quality to be on par with standard fast food restaurants.

The hotel also features a pleasant spa with an array of massages and a hydrotherapy area with several whirlpools and hot and cold showers. The fitness center is small but features a decent array of cardio and strength-training machines, and free weights. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, but there is a fee for parking. Additionally, while the hotel runs a free shuttle into town, it's often full and needs to be booked at least a day in advance (if not longer).