Hotel Rocamar

Set in a pedestrian-only zone, the modest Hotel Rocamar offers a quiet spot on the otherwise bustling Costa Blanca. Guests enter through a glass door flanked by contemporary pots of greenery into a lobby that holds a white reception desk, cream marble floors, and a high, wood-beamed ceiling with recessed lights. Tufted leather wingback chairs and sofas, a fireplace, and Chinoiserie vases and sculptures give an elegant first impression. The decor is more British countryside than coastal Spain. The casual restaurant is done in all white with lime green place mats and molded plastic chairs. The slatted wood ceiling and leather chairs and petite bar stools define the bar area. The sundeck features cobalt blue mesh loungers, a blue-and-white tiled outdoor shower, and tables and chairs for relaxing. There's a wide view of the city and the sea from up here. As in most of Costa Blanca, the hotel is popular with British tourists. 

While Hotel Rocamar's location, on a pedestrian-only side street, means it's quiet, it also has some drawbacks. Namely, guests cannot be dropped off directly in front of the hotel, and it's a five-minute walk to the front door. The beach is a three-minute walk and the old town of Benidorm is four minutes on foot. Guests will need a car to explore the rest of tourist-friendly Costa Blanca. Terra Natura is a 13-minute drive. To reach the amusement park of Terra Mitica, it's a 16-minute drive or 49 minutes by train. The popular water park of Aquelandia is 19 minutes by car. For some historic flavor in this coastal area, the town of Altea is a 22-minute drive. It's also a 22-minute drive to Parque Natural de Serra Gelada. In 39 minutes by car, or one hour and 37 minutes by train, one can reach Alicante. The Museo Arquelogico Provincial De Alicante is a 38-minute drive. Castillo de Denia is a 45-minute drive or two hours by train. Alicante Airport is a 45-minute drive or 70 minutes by train from the hotel. 

Rooms at the Hotel Rocamar are simply decorated with light wood floors and white sheers with sliding doors to Juliet balconies or terraces. Walls are white and taupe, and the wood veneer, on headboards, desks, nightstands, and wall accents, is a coffee-brown. Beds, flanked by side tables and contemporary lights, are on simple platforms with white linens and lime green throws. All in all, the look is modern and tidy, if unembellished. (Artwork is notably absent.) Rooms on the fourth and fifth floors have the best views, including the city and sea, while lower floor rooms may overlook a narrow, cobblestone alley. Some rooms include a sofa bed or an upholstered chair in beige or brown canvas. All rooms have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, safes, mini-fridges, and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs. Small bathrooms are smartly tiled in chocolate-brown offsetting the white walls. Shower/tub combos are covered with glass shields, although some guests report these are not well-sealed. Toiletries and wall-mounted hairdryers are included. Note that rooms do not have blackout curtains. 

There are some unusual amenities at the Hotel Rocamar. The hotel has its own bakery, and the free breakfast buffet includes housemade breads and pastries (a favorite among guests); eggs, yogurt, bacon, and beans are also served. Lunch and dinner are also served, and there's a cafe bar and room service. The hotel has a sundeck with loungers and an outdoor shower and some tables and chairs, but there's no pool -- a bit unusual for a property in Costa Blanca. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi and use of a computer in the lobby as well as fax and copy services for a fee. One room has a small library, and there is a fireplace in the lobby. The front desk is open 24 hours and staff can assist with tickets and luggage storage. Cribs are available on request. No pets are allowed at this hotel, and there is no on-site parking due to the hotel's location in a pedestrian-only zone.