525 Hotel

The 525 Hotel gears itself toward both business travelers and tourists -- and indeed, it feels a tad like a city-style hotel transplanted to the coast -- and it’s especially popular with golfing groups. The contemporary, purpose-built five-story building is unassuming from the outside, but inside, the bright, modern lobby feels extravagant with its long, black reception desk, elegant chandelier-like floor lamps, and plush red button-effect bench seating. Decor elsewhere is generally stylish, though it's a tad hit-and-miss. Parts of the otherwise cozy library and Bar Cafe feature rather garishly mismatched red, gold, and black sofas set in front of black-and-orange striped wooden tables. A design highlight is the rooftop pool deck, which has attractive views over the town and out to sea.

The 525 Hotel is set just back from the road, and beside a pedestrianized square that’s home to shops, bars, and restaurants. The location is especially convenient for the airport and local golf courses. The nearest beach, Los Narejos, is just within walking distance at 16 minutes.

• Six-minute walk to the fishing village of Los Alcazares
• 16-minute walk to Los Narejos Beach (six minutes by car)
• Four minutes to Roda Golf Course by car
• Eight minutes to Murcia-San Janvier Airport or Golf Delux by car
• Nine minutes to La Serena Golf Club Murcia by car
• 13 minutes to Mar Menor Golf by car
• 15 minutes to Mar Menor lagoon by car
• 32 minutes to Murcia railway station by car
• 36 minutes to Murcia city center by car (65 minutes by public transportation)

The hotel’s 108 air-conditioned and heated rooms are stylish across the board. Beds sport handsome cream fabric headboards and sit on attractive wooden floor paneling. There are dark-wood bedside tables and wall-mounted lamps. Cream-yellow walls are decorated with full-length mirrors and modern canvas art, and there are dark-wood desks. Neutral floor-to-ceiling curtains cover large windows. On the downside, some rooms suffer from the noise of nearby nightclubs.

Junior Suites feature chic connected lounges with handsome rugs and tan sofas. Huge Suites add stylish bars, walk-in closets, and more objets d’art that bring a trendy, homey feel to the space. Balconies are decent but narrow and unfurnished, offering pleasant street views. Junior Suites (but not Suites) have slightly larger corner balconies.

Bright, modern bathrooms feature shower/tub combos with powerful showerheads, chic countertop sinks on black marble-effect vanities, and bidets, plus magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and miniature toiletries. Junior Suites and Suites add double sinks and more extensive amenities. Suites have whirlpool shower/tub combos, separate shower stalls, and separate toilets.

Amenities include flat-screen cable TVs (smaller in entry-level rooms, but bigger in Junior Suites and Suites), phones, free Wi-Fi, safes, and minibars (better stocked in pricier rooms). Junior Suites and Suites add robes and slippers. Connecting rooms are available, as are smoking rooms (a negative for some). Note some double beds are actually two singles pushed together (common in Europe). 

The 525’s solid range of facilities includes a lovely rooftop pool deck, with a decent number of sunbeds -- but the pool itself is a tad small, and noise from the nearby airport can be an issue here. The breakfast buffet offers a good variety (but it’s not always included in room rates), and there’s a bar/cafe and pool bar (though guests report these only open in the evening), plus room service. The spa offers a range of treatments, and there’s a sauna, steam room, and separate hot tub. The gym has only a limited selection of cardio equipment and no free weights or weightlifting machines. There are also a cozy library, a large and brightly decorated kids’ club with a range of play equipment, and four meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 500 guests. Reliable Wi-Fi is free throughout, and there’s free secure underground parking.