Hotel Porto Calpe

Sat on the coastline in Calpe, with sweeping views over the dramatic crags of the Ifach Rock, the town’s harbor, and the sparkling blue Mediterranean beyond, what’s outside the Hotel Porto Calpe is more impressive than what's inside. However, renovations in 2015 brought a crisp, contemporary, style to the rooms and common areas. The lobby and restaurant have neutral-tone furnishings that are rather unremarkable, but the latter has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the sea. Outside in a sunny courtyard is a long and narrow pool terrace, featuring goldenrod paint on its walls that contrast with the rich green of the plants that run up one wall, and the aquamarine of the pool. The hotel attracts a more mature crowd of primarily couples.

Location is probably the most-alluring factor when considering the Hotel Porto Calpe. The hotel is a two-minute walk from the beach in one direction, while seven minutes in the other direction is Cala de la Fossa, another sandy beach which tends to get more busy. It's just a minute’s walk from Calpe’s pretty port, and a 10-minute walk from the foot of the Ifach Rock. It’s a 25-minute walk, or a six-minute drive, to the older part of Calpe, where there are pretty cobbled streets and plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants. Although around the hotel are a fair number of restaurants, bars, and grocery stores. Benidorm is a 30-minute drive away. Expect transfers to Alicante Airport to take approximately an hour by car. Note that there's no on-site parking, and parking in Calpe can be difficult.

The 60 rooms benefitted from a 2015 renovation, and are bright and fresh, with generic, though contemporary wood furniture and beige tile. They either have bold murals of red lilies and fluttering butterflies over the beds, accompanied by playful lime green accents, or magenta floral-patterned armchairs and close-up photos of vibrant flowers. Standard Rooms are sizable, with space for double beds, white-leather armchairs, small desks, and wall-mounted flatscreen TVs. They are on the ground floor, and lead out onto an attractive terrace with views of the harbor and the Rock of Ifach. Bathrooms are decorated in warm neutrals, and have shower cubicles, bidets, hairdryers, and toiletries. Superior rooms are much the same, but have small terraces and their bathrooms are larger, with wet room-style showers instead. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, safes, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs, but no kettles.

The Hotel Porto Calpe does not have much in the way of amenities, as the property lacks a full restaurant. The hotel does serve a buffet breakfast with the standard continental fare, plus some hot options, and guests report it's good quality. Outside is a small pool set in a long and narrow courtyard terrace with loungers. Guests looking to work up a sweat can use a tiny fitness room, where equipment is limited to a cycle, cross-trainer, and a treadmill. A small and often empty lounge has a business corner, rows of couches, and some toys for kiddies. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.