We stayed at the Lepe Mar after reading the existing review. We had a room with a large balcony right on the beach and even in March it was hot enough to sunbathe. The rooms were clean though basic and we thought it a very good value hotel and ideal for a base for house hunting. The beach was very quiet during the week and then very busy at the weekend so quite a contrast. The only downside was the food. Although sufficient and sometimes quite good it was mainly reheated in the microwave. We could understand this though as we were often the only ones in the restaurant - whatever the time - and the same staff had to be on reception, serve and cook in the restaurant and bar, and sometimes clean and decorate.

We arrived late and just stumbled on this hotel-- we decided against the two in our guidebook, after looking at a room (ick) and ventured down a quiet street----and there was the Lepe Mar! We were there in the off season, so the town was almost deserted.

The hotel was very clean and the staff was extremely friendly. We arrived after the restaurant was closed, so they assembled plates of assorted cheeses, breads and meats for us, and even accomodated my Vegan sister (not an easy task in Spain!) The Lepe Mar must've been glorious in it's day-- it is like taking a step back to the 60's. However, it was very comfortable and was right on the beach-- where we walked the next morning.

If your travels ever bring you to Lepe--- I'd recommend staying here over the more "touristy" hotels that somehow got listed in the Spain and Andalusia guidebooks (they were awful, expensive, and smelly). The Lepe Mar isn't "fancy" like the more modern hotels-- but is gracious, historic, and a true gem of a hotel.