Jardines del Plaza, Peñíscola, Spain

The hotel was open and busy even out of season, when lots of other places were closed. It's right on the beach, with a lovely walk from there to Peniscola city centre or Beniscarlo train station, about an hours walk either way. Rooms were roomy, clean and comfortable, and the included breakfast was really good. The service was very friendly and good for value.

The buffet didn't feel up to the standard of a 4 star hotel. The salad bar was excellent, but the hot dinners were only just warm and came on cold plates. The gala dinner and lunch, though, were amazing. The rooms are very well appointed for a modern hotel. Sockets are where you need them, the lighting is brilliant, the bathroom is well fitted, and the balcony is practical.

The hotel is really far from Peniscola, a 45-60 minute walk to the centre, and the bus is very busy most of the time. Staff were friendly, and our rooms had great views of the pool and beach. All in all, I wouldn't go back, though it wasn't a disappointment and it was a very nice place to stay. We came with my family and my parents. It's a very nice hotel right on the beach, with fantastic rooms, great beds, and lovely bathrooms with a bath and separate shower. We booked all-inclusive, which was handy for drinks, and breakfast was very good. My parents weren't satisfied with the lunch and dinner buffets, though I thought there was enough choice and they could still do a bit better. There were hardly any desserts, just a few pies, and the buffets were overcrowded. They split the dining into blocks to fit everyone, so you can't just go whenever you want. We also tried Mare Nostrum and Trattoria. I wouldn't recommend Mare Nostrum: the food was very bad, the fish wasn't prepared well at all, and the place felt clinical with no atmosphere. Trattoria was good, with good pizzas and pastas.

The spa costs extra even for hotel guests, which I find annoying. The rooms and location are great, and the staff were as friendly as any local can be 😂