Hotel Villa Venecia Boutique Gourmet

Hidden behind a plain cream-colored facade, the luxury Villa Venecia offers an exclusive, personalized experience from the moment guests set foot in the lobby. Small, intimate, and stylish, the reception area has a large gold desk with two black armchairs. White sofas and chairs look out on the sea through huge floor-to-ceiling windows. The hotel’s design makes the most of its location right between two beaches, and all rooms and common spaces offer panoramic views of the Mediterranean. 

This cliffside hotel is located in a mostly pedestrian area located between Benidorm’s two main beaches. Right outside the property is a tiny square with several cafes and restaurants as well as a lookout point that juts out above the sea. Levante Beach is just down the street, and Poniente Beach can be reached on foot in about five minutes. There is another small beach directly adjacent to the marina, but it gets crowded easily. The Old Town, known for having a somewhat more local feel than the New Town, is just a few blocks away and offers dozens of small shops, restaurants, and bars. The nearest airport is located in Alicante, a 45-minute drive away.

There are 25 rooms and suites at Villa Venecia, all offering sea views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Each one has distinct decor details -- such as top-stitched bolsters and blankets, Plexiglas nightstands, and original artwork -- and all are stylishly decorated with wood furniture, laminate floors, and brown accents. Beds face the windows, making it possible to wake up to a sea view. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, pillow and mattress menus, and Nespresso machines (though coffee pods cost extra). Glassed-in bathrooms have shades for privacy, hydromassage shower cabins, separate jetted tubs, and Pascal Morabito toiletries. Jacuzzi Yacht Club Suites have large whirlpools by the windows. Only a few of the Junior Suites have balconies.

In a town known for its casual cafes, English pubs, and fast food joints, the stylish gourmet Llum de Benidorm restaurant draws guests and non-guests alike with a good wine menu and a creative twist on traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive sea views, and the restaurant's small size makes it an intimate spot for a romantic dinner. A varied buffet breakfast is served every morning at Llum del Mar, which also has a terrace overlooking the ocean. (Rates can be full board, half board, or just include breakfast.) 

The hotel also offers a rooftop sundeck with a plunge pool, lounge chairs, and a couple of seating areas where guests can enjoy some of the best views in the area. The small spa is also on this floor, and offers a whirlpool, a sauna, a steam bath, and a treatment room. The fitness center sits adjacent and offers a handful of machines and huge windows with more seaside views. The hotel also has a meeting room and free Wi-Fi throughout. Parking costs extra.