Great old town location, close to the beach, shopping, and dining
Some sea view rooms with large balconies
Triple and Quad Rooms are available
Rooftop terrace features a pool, whirlpool, and great sea views
Buffet restaurant and bar area with courtyard
Basement game lounge
All-inclusive rates are available (plus a range of board plans)
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Furniture throughout the hotel is a bit tired
Some noise from the adjacent train line
While beach is across road, must walk a few minutes for access
Three-pearl Alegria Espanya sits along the oceanside road in Calella's old town, just a few minutes' walk from both the beach and popular pedestrianized shopping streets. The hotel is much larger than it looks, with a buffet restaurant, a separate cafe with courtyard seating, and a pleasant rooftop terrace with a pool, whirlpool, and fantastic sea views. The 80 rooms are spacious and feature air-conditioning, and most have a balcony. However, some are looking a bit tired. Golden Rooms are worth the extra cash for their superb sea views from private terraces. It's a laid-back family-run hotel, so travelers looking for a livelier vibe could check out the nearby GHT Hotel Maritim. It has entertainment and a kids' club, plus a more stylized finish to the rooms.
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Scene
Simple, charming hotel with bright interiors, a laid-back vibe, and plenty of space
The family-run Alegria Espanya is housed in a beautiful traditional building just across the train tracks from the sea. Its stone and red-bricked front is peppered with lush green window boxes, and the views from many vantages here are straight out to sea. The style inside is simple and a bit old-school, with wood-paneled walls and an elevated lounge, plus traditional touches like an antique-style clock and gilt-framed oil paintings. It's surprisingly spacious place -- the eye is drawn way back through the lobby to the bar/cafe, the restaurant, and to the street behind. In fact space has been well-managed here, from the basement games room to the rooftop pool and its great sea views. The hotel has flirted with the idea of going adult-only, but for now remains open to all, with a variety of guests from couples and groups to families.
Location
Central location in the historic part of Calella, close to shopping, dining, and the beach
The Alegria Espanya is on Carrer d'Anselm Clave -- separated only from the beachfront by a railway line running along the coast. There's a pedestrian crossing a two- to three-minute walk down the street for reaching the beach, and several shops and restaurants are one road back from the hotel. The pedestrianized streets of the old town -- such as Carrer de l'Esglesia -- are lined with bars, cafes, and stores, all of which are only a two-minute walk away. The main square, Santa Maria Church, and the Calella Museum are five minutes away on foot. Connections to Barcelona leave from the bus stop on Carrer de St. Jaume, which is a five-minute walk from the hotel. The trip will take around an hour. Transit time is about the same by car for Barcelona's airport.
Rooms
Simple, air-conditioned rooms, though the best have sea views with large terraces
The Alegria Espanya's air-conditioned rooms are decorated in a simple, slightly dated style that's pretty standard for three-pearl hotels in this region. Little touches like wall lamps and art give them a homey feel -- but some furniture is looking a bit tired and bedspreads don't add much charm, especially in the spartan entry-level rooms. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, safes, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, and most rooms have small balconies. Many of the higher grade sea-view rooms have a slightly fresher style, and add robes and slippers. It's worth upgrading to a top-floor Golden Room if possible, which have large terraces with dining tables, sun loungers, and the best sea views. Just keep in mind that there can be noise from the train line in rooms facing the front of the hotel. Bathrooms are decorated in a similar simple fashion, with white tiling, compact counters, and a sometimes tight layout. All have shower/tub combos and include toiletries and hairdryers.
Features
Rooftop terrace with sea-views and a pool, buffet restaurant, bar, and a game lounge
The Alegria Espanya has a good set of features contained behind its deceptively small exterior. The split-level rooftop terrace has superb views over the town and the sea, plus a whirlpool, swimming pool, table seating, and sun loungers. There's a basement game room with card tables, comfortable chairs, a TV, and a library of books. The bar on the ground floor has a small outdoor courtyard and a menu of light snacks, and the buffet restaurant serves all meals including breakfast. A range of boarding options are offered, including an all-inclusive rates (which score favorable marks from previous guests). There's an internet station in the lobby, and Wi-Fi is free. The front desk is manned 24/7 and offers bike rentals and a selection of tours.
