Hotel Del Alba, Mutxamel

...confirmed. What a mistake! The hotel is very isolated and we do not drive. There was supposed to be a shuttle bus from the hotel to Alicante and El Campello but this does not run on Monday or Tuesday.

On Monday we decided to brave public transport to reach Alicante. We had to walk for ten minutes up to the nearest roundabout- the only real civilisation near the hotel where there are a couple of bars and restaurants. From there we ...
...all the trip from the hotel takes about 90 minutes or more.

Coming back on the first day we missed the last bus from Mutaxmiel because we couldn't find the bus stop. We tried in vain to get a taxi. In the end we called the hotel and asked them to ring for one. They refused initially which was very annoying. We don't speak Spanish and were totally stranded. My husband had to call them again before they finally agreed to get one for ... more

I booked this through last minute and did not know where exactly I would be until after the booking was confirmed. What a mistake! The hotel is very isolated and we do not drive. There was supposed to be a shuttle bus from the hotel to Alicante and El Campello but this does not run on Monday or Tuesday.

On Monday we decided to brave public transport to reach Alicante. We had to walk for ten minutes up to the nearest roundabout- the only real civilisation near the hotel where there are a couple of bars and restaurants. From there we could get a bus to Mutaxmiel- the nearest (one horse) town. There are only three of these buses a day each way! On the first day this bus was 15 minutes late, thirty minutes late the next. The bus takes 30 minutes to Mutaxmiel then there are frequent buses to Alicante. This takes a further 40 minutes. The bus ends up in the city centre, at the far end of the port, some distance from anything useful. So all in all the trip from the hotel takes about 90 minutes or more.

Coming back on the first day we missed the last bus from Mutaxmiel because we couldn't find the bus stop. We tried in vain to get a taxi. In the end we called the hotel and asked them to ring for one. They refused initially which was very annoying. We don't speak Spanish and were totally stranded. My husband had to call them again before they finally agreed to get one for us.

When we got the hotel shuttle bus on Wednesday it was such a relief. Only about twenty minutes to Alicante.

We got to the hotel by getting a bus from the airport to Alicante then a taxi from there which cost 20 euros. Another couple told us that a taxi directly from the airport to the hotel cost more than 40 euros.

The hotel room was pleasant and very clean. It was a bit irritating that we couldn't get wifi in our room, only in reception. I liked the bathroom a lot.

The safe in the room is only big enough for small items but we left our laptop in the room without any problems.

The food in the hotel restaurant is about the worst I've ever had and very expensive. There is nothing for vegetarians.

One of the restaurants at the roundabout, 'Cheers', is very good value with lovely staff. If you walk up the road some way (maybe 20 minutes from the hotel) there is a good Italian restaurant. They don't have an English menu or English speaking staff but it was no problem.

If you want to use the spa you need a swimming cap and goggles. You can buy these from reception for three euros each. I saw guests in there without them though. The sauna and steam room are nice. The pool is just an indoor swimming pool (no jacuzzi etc) Overall the spa is nothing exciting. The treatments are quite pricey and there is no English spoken there.

If you drive and want to stay in a very calm hotel this might be the place for you- or even if you don't drive but want to be cut off for some peace and quiet. If don't drive and like sightseeing don't even consider it. Avoid the restaurant. 

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