Hotel Marina

Built in 1926, the Hotel Marina has a white masonry facade with its name spelled out in neon letters. The common areas -- with acoustic tile ceilings, a kiosk with souvenirs, black-leather seating against Mediterranean tile walls in the lobby -- is a bit of a hodgepodge, but some find it casually homespun in a thrown-together way. Although frequented by travelers of all ages, the hotel tends to draw older couples from England and France, especially in the off-peak months. Common areas blend the old with the new, such as Mediterranean blue-and-yellow tiles with modern light fixtures and abstract prints. The effect is of a renovation that stopped midway. The dining room mixes cloth-covered tables and sturdy farmhouse chairs with contemporary chrome-legged chairs. Arched openings lead to a sun-porch-style space with tables and doorways, and to a terrace with dark-pink chairs. The rooftop pool with its adjacent bar and hot tub is the pretties part of the hotel. With its bright blue rectangle of water against stark white plaster walls and a beige-tile terrace, it beckons with its views of the sea. 

The Hotel Marina sits across from a white sand beach on the Bay of Roses, about a five-minute walk to the center of town and a 10-minute walk to the historic Citadel of Roses. Aqua Brava, an enormous water park, is a three-minute drive from the hotel, and the Port of Roses is a five-minute drive. For travelers seeking to explore the area, a car is recommended, but the Costa Brava Bus (Sarfa), operating from Barcelona, stops along the coast from Roses to Cadaques. As for other sights, Cala Montjoi is a 19-minute drive, while the Dali Theater and Museum in Figueres is about a half-hour drive, as is the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes. Cap de Creus, a natural park, is about 40 minutes away. Montgri Massif is a 47-minute drive. The Lake of Banyoles is a 51-minute drive. The Medes Islands are a 52-minute drive, while Camino de Ronda is a 56-minute drive. The Santa Clothilde Gardens are about a 75-minute drive from the hotel. Girona-Costa Brava Airport is a 52-minute drive, and Barcelona El-Prat Airport is about a two-hour-and-15-minute drive. 

The 60 rooms at the Hotel Marina face the sea or the town. Many have terraces that vary from narrow gauntlets with just enough room for a cafe table and chairs to generous spaces with loungers. The top-floor has a three-bedroom apartment with a big terrace, living room, and kitchen, and can sleep up to six. Room decor -- consisting of striped or patterned bed spreads and floral- and bird-patterned chintz drapes -- is basic and old-fashioned. Furniture is primarily inexpensive particle-board pieces. Some of the renovated rooms have large wooden headboards with color-block designs, and molded plastic Eames chairs. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and safes. Bathrooms have either tile mosaics in earth tones or solid tiles in matte cocoa, rendering them a bit dark. They have wall-mounted hairdryers and Corian sinks with tub/shower combos with curtains or pan-style showers with glass doors. Toiletries, including cotton balls, are clustered in counter-top baskets. Larger rooms have bathrooms with bidets.

While the guest rooms can be lackluster, Hotel Marina's array of amenities make it a good value. A breakfast with a big selection of hot and cold foods, including house-made breads and gluten-free choices, is included in all room rates. In addition to sitting across the street from the beach, the hotel has a rooftop pool and whirlpool, along with a bar with mesh loungers. There's also a coffee bar with a latte machine, another nice extra. The hotel has a spa, with a sauna, steam room, and treatments available, along with a small, sky-lit fitness center with a range of cardio- and weight-training equipment. The lobby, staffed 24 hours a day, provides free luggage storage and has a piano. Self-parking is available.