Eurostars Centrum Alicante

The abba Centrum Alicante is a bright and smart hotel decorated throughout with dark-wood panelling on the walls, sleek marble flooring mixed with rich brown carpets, and furniture in shades of white and gray, plus chrome accents. The large and airy lobby is decorated with an eclectic and ever-changing range of artwork by local artists, which at any point might include large, arresting statues, surreal paintings, and tiny stone carvings. The restaurant's design is in a similar manner, with dark wooden rafters on the ceiling, cream sandstone wall tiles, and unusual paintings on the walls. The large and bright space, made more intimate by its division into smaller areas with dividers made of whitewashed tree branches. This room leads to an internal courtyard with a number of sofas and tables, sheltered somewhat from the elements by a heavy pergola. Given the sophisticated vibe of the property, guests are primarily couples, followed by business travelers.

The hotel is centrally located in Alicante’s commercial district, with a number of shops and restaurants nearby, including a branch of the department store El Corte Ingles -- a six-minute walk away. The train station is nine minutes away on foot. Alicante’s Old Town, the Barrio de la Santa Cruz, is a 13-minute walk, while the Port of Alicante -- the site of heavy combat during the Spanish Civil War -- is a 17-minute walk away. The beach, Platja del Postiguet, is a 20-minute walk or a nine-minute taxi ride away. Both the Alicante Golf Course and the El Plantio Golf Course are 15 minutes away by car, while Murcia is an hour’s drive away. Expect transfers to Alicante Airport to take 15 minutes by car, or 28 minutes by train.

The abba Centrum Alicante’s 148 rooms are mostly modern, with varying decor by category. Some have neutral decor that's stylish and attractive, while others are outfitted in basic honey-tone wood furniture, a deep-red accent wall opposite close-up plant photographs, and old-fashioned linens. Most rooms are spacious, except for the tiny Single Rooms that clock in at 19 square meters (204 square feet). The 27-square-meter (290-square-foot) Standard rooms have enough space for an armchair, large bedside tables, and a full-size writing desk. Guests have reported that the beds are extremely comfortable, and Executive Rooms and Suites all have queen-sized beds. Junior Suites make room for a separate lounge room, while fully fledged Suites have two separate, interconnected bedrooms. The majority of rooms lack balconies, but all Suites have large terraces.Cream-colored bathrooms are clean and light, equipped with a shower/tub combo -- except Single Rooms that have a shower stall -- bidet, magnifying mirror, hairdryer, and free toiletries. Executive Rooms and Suites add bathtubs with hydrotherapy jets. All rooms have a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a minibar.

Guests seeking sun are able to head to a large rooftop solarium carpeted with fake grass, and offering views over the rooftops of Alicante and out toward the hills. There is also a sunny interior courtyard with comfortable sofas and dining tables, leading out from the hotel’s restaurant. The eatery serves a continental buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner -- both of which receive mostly positive reviews. Just off from the lobby is a small, tastefully decorated library lined with lots of books for borrow. A spa facility has both a sauna and Turkish bath, and offers massage and beauty treatments. Additionally, there is a modern gym with a handful of cardio machines and free weights. For business travelers, 12 different spaces can be booked for meetings. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but it can be spotty in areas. Underground parking is available for a fee.