Hotel Altaia

Hotel Altaia is a small, family-run address with 24 rooms, set directly on the beach in Altea. The mood is straightforward rather than showy: a balcony, a sea view in some rooms, breakfast with the coast in front of you, then the promenade when you fancy a change of scene.

It suits divers who want the sea close at hand and a simple base for a couple or a family. There is enough here to settle in properly, without turning the hotel into a resort you need a map to navigate. English-language information is available on the hotel's website, alongside Spanish, which makes planning your stay easier for English-speaking guests.

You are at Calle San Pedro, 28, on Altea's seafront in Spain. The hotel has direct access to a sandy beach, with La Roda Beach immediately outside and Playa de L'Espigó about half a mile away. The sea is not a distant backdrop here; it is part of the address.

Altea town centre, the old town and the seafront promenade are all about five minutes away on foot. That puts restaurants, cafés and an evening wander within easy reach, while Parc de l'Aigua is roughly half a mile away for a change of scenery. The Altea railway station is about 200 metres away, useful if you prefer to leave the hire car out of the equation.

Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is about 34 miles away. For a meal close to base, Restaurante Ca Jaume - Altea is roughly 50 feet away, with Columbus 1492 and Restaurante Mesón Racó de Toni also nearby.

The rooms are described as spacious, bright and functional, with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, heating, satellite or cable television and free Wi-Fi. A wardrobe gives you somewhere to put the clothes that have spent the day smelling faintly of salt, while the private bathroom includes a bath or shower, towels, a hairdryer and a bidet.

For two people, the Deluxe Double Room with Sea View is the obvious choice when the view matters as much as the bed: it has a balcony, a super-king-size bed and a direct sea outlook. The Superior and Standard Double Rooms use twin beds, which can be more practical when you are travelling with a dive partner rather than a partner in crime.

A balcony and outdoor furniture give you somewhere to sit without claiming a pavement table, and the sun terrace adds another place to take the edge off the day. There is a lift, upper floors are accessible by elevator, and accessible facilities include a wheelchair-accessible layout and raised toilets.

Breakfast is a continental buffet, served at the hotel when the seasonal service is running. Until April, breakfast is not served at the hotel, so early-season divers should build that practical detail into the morning plan rather than discovering it when the first boat is already on the horizon.

The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and an on-site coffee house. Wine and champagne are available, and special-diet menus can be requested. The useful distinction here is not a long restaurant list but the setting: breakfast or an aperitif can come with views towards the sea.

When you want more choice, the promenade around the hotel has numerous bars and restaurants. You can stay close for dinner, walk into Altea for a wider selection, or simply stop at one of the nearby addresses without turning the post-dive meal into an expedition.

The beach is the main non-diving activity, and it starts at the hotel door. On a day when your legs have had enough of fins, the direct sandy access makes the simplest plan entirely workable: sit by the sea, take a slow walk along the promenade, and let the Mediterranean do the talking.

For something indoors, there is a games room with board games and puzzles, billiards and a shared lounge with a television area. Live sports broadcasts are also available, which covers the traditional post-dive question of whether anyone has checked the score yet.

The hotel also has a tour desk, concierge service and luggage storage, while Altea's old town and the surrounding coastline give you places to explore beyond the seafront. Parc de l'Aigua is around half a mile away, and the Serra Gelada area is within a few miles for a change from beach level.

Check-in runs from 14:00 to 23:30 and check-out from 08:30 to 11:00. You need to tell the hotel your expected arrival time, and check-in requires photographic identification and a credit card. There is no age requirement for checking in, and children of all ages are welcome.

Parking spaces are limited and subject to availability, so arrival by car needs a little planning. The Altea railway station is about 200 metres away, while Alicante–Elche Miguel Hernández Airport is about 34 miles from the hotel. A lift and accessible facilities make the building easier to use for guests with reduced mobility.

Pets are allowed, with possible additional charges. Laundry is available, luggage storage is provided, and free Wi-Fi covers the hotel. Cots and extra beds can be requested, subject to availability, and their use may involve an additional charge.