We chose the 4*Melia Alicante for our “city break” because we wanted a relaxing stay in a central location in a room with a view of the sea. The hotel accomplished the last two of those aspirations perfectly. The size and design of both the bathroom and bedroom was spot on with the bathroom offering plentiful shelving and a stool for clothing or seating. The bedroom was clean, an agreeable size and provided an extremely comfortable bed. The bonus was a well equipped balcony with delightful views.

One side of the hotel faces the marina and enjoys the evening sunset. However we were in room 4045 which faces the beach so we were treated to Mediterranean waves washing the beach and the warmth of the sunrise lighting the castle and the beach like Ayers Rock. Lovely! The waves are so close you do have to decide when to listen to them and when to listen to the telly – not a decision I’ve had to make before! It’s not a problem though, the patio door is of sound design and it’s down to personal choice. And while we’re talking of design, the room has an additional door between the sleeping area and the bathroom which ensures privacy in the bathroom and also eliminates any noise from the corridor thus ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep. If English is your language, you will be pleased to find the telly offers two BBC channels and two ITV channels. The other English staple of a kettle and tea and coffee in your room is not on offer. You either have to use room service or visit the bar and pay 4* prices for your cup of tea.

We were short changed on our “relaxing” stay by just two niggles. As we were having a rest at 5:30 one evening, we were disturbed by the noise of drilling and banging. It was so loud that when we rang reception to complain we had to shout to make ourselves heard. Only then were we told the floor above us was being replaced which involved two weeks of work. The hotel offered us a different room, but we were settled and we loved “our view” so we stayed put. Hotels do have to do improvement works from time to time but it would help if the Melia had warned us in advance or offered some form of compensation. It spoils the hotel/guest trust and relationship as the guest is paying for a relaxing break not to stay on a building site. Luckily the noise only disturbed one of our four evenings.

The other niggle involved room choice. When we checked in, we were given a twin room despite requesting a double room when we booked. We returned ourselves and our luggage to reception to ask for a different room but were told there weren’t any double rooms, only twin rooms. Due to the number of rooms in the hotel, there was a moment’s disbelief on our part and a moment’s tension as the receptionist told us quite clearly “booking requests cannot be guaranteed”. However we were then offered a complimentary drink whilst the matter was explored. Within 30 minutes a double room had been found and cleaned and we were happily checked in. We are fairly frequent travellers and this is the first time we’ve ever encountered such difficulties in a large hotel. However, the receptionist did do her best to meet our request.

Some of the review comments suggest the staff base is not as friendly as it might be. We found the reception staff to be professional and accomplished and the cleaners friendly and helpful.

We didn’t eat at the Melia as there were too many temptations locally. We did have drinks there, but only once as they were the most expensive drinks we had in Alicante. The Melia is so well placed there is plenty of choice for eating and drinking within moments of leaving the hotel. By the time you’ve explored the marina, the beach, the esplanade, the castle and Parque El Palmeral, you have built up a thirst and an appetite which Alicante can more than meet.

We enjoyed Alicante and subject to all the other places we want to visit, we may well return to the city of light. And if we did, we would happily stop at the Melia because of its central location and lovely views.

Hotel is well located near the sandy beach and the tunnel to castle Santa Barbara. Also not so far from the centre. Rooms are quite new, clean and well-furnished, although without tea making facility. Staff was friendly enough. Breakfast was good, with a wide selection of cheese and ham (chorizo was very good) and sweet snacks as well. Generally nothing to complaint about, but if you need longer beach, take a bus no. 22 (if i remember well) and go to San Juan, there is a very very long sandy beach.

This was our second visit to this hotel. We stayed on the 5th floor facing the harbour, a great view. The room was clean and comfortable, although it was more modern in decor than the previous year on level 3 it was not as spacious.
The breakfast had a huge variety, it was well organised.
A great central location, beach and harbour on the doorstep, city centre a few minutes walk.
The pool was shaded most of the day but this suited us with a child.
There was a mix up with the booking through Hotels.com.
We got the bus from the airport, it took 25 mins and cost €2.40 each, last stop on the route is right outside the hotel. get directions from Alicante.com

Stayed here on our trip to see the Spain v Scotland game and it was great. Not only did the staff have to cope with a full hotel but the Spanish national team were staying here , so they had to cope with the chaos that went with that. hotel is right on the beach ,breakfast has everything you could want and more. the very small pool is the only negative in a great hotel. Defo would go back in an instant.