Hostería del Mar

I've stayed in a lot of traditional four-star hotels, and this is honestly among the best. The staff were unbelievable, and the cleanliness was on another level. The food, location, and pool were all good too. There wasn't a single thing I didn't like. I'll be back as soon as I can.

The pool looked inviting, though it was a little too cool for us, and we enjoyed relaxing in the garden and outdoor bar, where the staff were friendly and attentive. Hostería del Mar is, I suspect, the best hotel in Peñiscola. It may not be the cheapest or the most expensive, but the Spanish hospitality is genuinely high quality. The building dates to 1966 and is kept in great shape, with a style you don't see often anymore. Inside, the decor and cleanliness were top quality, and the staff were helpful and welcoming. It's a short walk from the village centre, far enough away to be quiet but close enough to get there easily. Our spacious room had a small balcony overlooking the sea and was exceptionally clean. The firm bed was comfortable, with two pillows for each of us. Breakfast was generous, with hot dishes like eggs, bacon, and potato frittata, as well as the traditional Spanish bread or tostada with tomato and jamon, plus yogurt, fruit, cereal, pastries, and more. Highly recommend it!

The sand and water were lovely, with a beautiful view of the castle of peñiscola, and the restaurant staff were attentive. Still, the hotel didn't feel like a four-star place. The rooms were very noisy, and you could hear cleaning going on all day. We also got poor information on arrival. To borrow one of the rather old beach sunbeds, you have to buy a ticket at reception. The restaurant looked very good, but breakfast didn't meet expectations: the bacon was tough and the scrambled eggs tasted more of cheese than egg. 😅

Our stay really added to the trip. The concierge was very kind, found us a room quickly, and chose the nicest one available with the best view. The rooms and interior were clean and professionally done, while still having plenty of Spanish character. Breakfast was quite good too.