Pueblo Acantilado Suites

Laid out like a gated village, the Puerto Acantilado Suites is made up of cobbled streets that wind up and down steep hills, squares edged by verdant greenery, and traditional Spanish buildings painted in bright hues and soft pastel shades and with clay roof tiles and wooden shutters. The hotel has an impressive amphitheater where the animation team puts on shows at night, and organized activities sometimes occur by the pool, yet the atmosphere is never loud or rowdy. Pretty restaurant terraces offer al fresco dining for those who don't want to cook in their apartment-style room, and gorgeous sea vistas are visible from multiple areas and balconies. Despite the traditional feel, interiors are bright and modern, featuring neutral tones and silver accents. Travelers are primarily Spanish families and couples, plus some international tourists.

The Puerto Acantilado Suites has a removed location with almost nothing in the immediate surrounds, meaning guests wanting to explore the island will likely want a car. The nearest beach is a 20-minute walk away, while the closest town is El Campello, about a 10-minute drive away. La Vila Joiosa is a 15-minute drive away, housing a few shops, restaurants, and a sandy beach. Alicante is a 20-minute drive in the other direction, where travelers will find many more restaurants, shops, and nightlife. A bus stops by the hotel and runs to El Campello, and trams are available to Benidorm and Alicante. Alicante Airport is a 30-minute drive away.

Apartment-style rooms are all bright and contemporary, albeit a bit bland and generic in design. Expect dark-wood floors and furniture, white walls with chain-like floral paintings, and blue bed runners and throw pillows. Every room has a furnished balcony or terrace, and some have gorgeous sea views from their clifftop vantage points. All but studio units have cream couches, while all have dining tables and kitchens with microwaves, two-burner stoves, coffeemakers, toasters, and cooking facilities. Also standard are flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Upgraded units add washers. and bathrooms with clean, white tiles and blond wood fittings. Modern bathrooms have shower/tub combos, small wall-mounted hairdryers, bidets, and limited basic toiletries.

The Puerto Acantilado Suites has an impressive list of amenities, aimed at keeping guests on-site all day. The complex has a small but attractive swimming pool in a sunny terrace carpeted with fake grass. It's lined by metal loungers and straw umbrellas, and occasional organized activities take place here. A spa offers a variety of treatments, a hydrotherapy circuit, sauna, and steam room. A salon is also available for hair and nail treatments. The tiny gym has just a few machines and free weights. A particularly impressive feature is the outdoor amphitheater, where entertainment is put on by the animation team every night during high season. There are also a tennis court, mini-golf course, and kids' club.

Three restaurants are on-site, including a Mediterranean eatery with a lovely al fresco terrace. It serves a buffet breakfast, and a la carte lunch and dinner. Spanish and Italian restaurants and a coffee shop are also available. A small supermarket where a number of essentials can be bought. A number of spaces within the complex can be rented for events, including the amphitheater, which seats 300. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the complex.