Visit & Vibes

With everything that’s been going on in my life over the past few years, it felt like the right time to treat myself to a short break somewhere in the sun. I have a long list of places I’d love to visit, and as I went through them, I looked for somewhere warm, affordable, and with a few interesting sights to explore. Alicante ended up being the perfect choice.

This was a solo holiday, and I was really looking forward to it, especially escaping the cold, wet Scottish weather for somewhere much warmer and hopefully sunny.

About The Hotel

In the heart of the Rambla, next to the Explanada de España and the seafront. The Hotel Alicante Gran Sol Affiliated by Meliá stands in the centre of Alicante to offer you all its facilities. Bright rooms, mostly with views of the Mediterranean. A restaurant on the 26th floor with unparalleled views of the historic centre and the marina. A team of expert professionals who know the city of Alicante like the back of their hand and help explain all its most interesting routes. And spaces to inspire you and host your best business meetings.

Booking Experience

For the booking part, I didn’t use any travel agents or anything like that. I booked the flights myself through the airline’s website, and I did the same for the hotel on their official site. The whole process was very straightforward. I chose the type of room I wanted, and since I was hoping for a nice view, I paid a little extra. Overall, the booking experience was simple and hassle-free.

Arrival and Check-In

On arrival at the hotel, the first thing I noticed was how lovely, clean, bright, and modern it was. The girl who checked me in was very friendly and helpful. She explained everything I needed to know, including information about my room and where to find breakfast in the morning.

Overall, she was extremely welcoming, which made the start of my holiday feel really positive.

Décor	★★★★★
Entrance Cleanliness	★★★★★
Staff Friendliness & Welcome	★★★★★
Staff Appearance / Uniform	★★★★★
Restaurant Cleanliness	★★★★★
Hotel facilities & layout explained	Yes

Bedroom and Amenities

When I booked the room, I originally thought I had chosen one with a balcony, but it turned out to be a room with a view instead. I’d seen a balcony in a TikTok video and assumed that “room with a view” meant the same thing. After double-checking the hotel’s website, I realised you can’t specifically select a balcony room, only a room with a view.

When I entered the room, there was a small hallway with two rooms in front of me. To the right was the bedroom which, as you can see from the photos, was very tidy, very clean, and a good size. To the left was a small living room area that also had a large flatscreen TV mounted on the wall. Both rooms offered a fantastic view over the harbour, which looked beautiful during the day, in the afternoon, and even more stunning in the evening when everything lit up.

ROOM FEATURES

• Free WiFi
• Minibar (not free)
• Television
• Hairdryer

Quality of bedding	★★★★★
Bedroom Cleanliness	★★★★★
View from Room	★★★★★

Bathroom

The next room was the bathroom, which was also extremely clean. It had a rainfall shower, although I had to bend slightly to get under it as I was just a bit too tall. The bathroom was well laid out, with a large mirror above the sink, and overall, everything looked spotless.

The only small issue was that the shower’s glass door opened outward into the bathroom, and you had to step into the bath to get in. If you have mobility issues, this might be a bit difficult, but for me, everything worked perfectly during my stay.

Quality of Towels	★★★★★
Bedroom Cleanliness	★★★★★
Temperature of water	★★★★★
Did the hotel/venue provide toiletries?	YES

Breakfast Area

The breakfast area was located on the second floor, and once again the staff were very friendly and welcoming. The space itself was extremely clean and well organised.

There were tea and coffee facilities, a selection of cold meats and cheeses, an area for hot food, cereals, and even cakes. Basically, it had everything you could want for breakfast.

Since it was buffet style, you could go up as many times as you liked until you were full. Everything was very fresh and really tasty, and I felt completely relaxed sitting there enjoying my breakfast.

Quality of Seating	★★★★★
Area Cleanliness	★★★★★
Choice of Foods	★★★★★

Final Thoughts…

Overall, I had a fantastic stay. The location of the hotel is amazing, you’re right in the centre, so everything is only a few steps away or at most a 10–15 minute walk for most sightseeing spots. The castle is only about a 20-minute walk, making this the perfect base for exploring Alicante.

As I mentioned, the hotel was very clean and had a relaxing atmosphere. All the staff were extremely friendly and helpful.

I only had two small issues. First, the rooms weren’t very well soundproofed, so I could hear the guests next door talking and watching TV. They may simply have been louder than usual, but I could still hear them clearly. Second, one of the lifts was quite loud when it went up or down, it sounded like something heavy was being dragged across the floor. To be honest, neither of these bothered me too much, but they were the only minor downsides during my stay.

Despite that, I would definitely recommend this hotel. The location is perfect, the staff were great, the breakfast was excellent, and the views were amazing. If you’re thinking of coming to Alicante, this hotel is definitely worth considering.

Overall Value for Money	★★★★★
MY OVERALL RATING	★★★★

It’s important to note that all the views and opinions expressed in my blog posts and vlogs are entirely personal, have not been influenced in any way and reflect my individual perspective. I value authenticity and honesty above all, and my content is a genuine reflection of my thoughts and experiences.