Alicante's Hidden Gem: Hostal La Lonja - Unbeatable Views & Prices!
Alicante's Hidden Gem: Hostal La Lonja - Unbeatable Views & Prices!
Alicante's Hidden Gem: Hostal La Lonja - My Love/Hate Letter (Mostly Love!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the sangria on Hostal La Lonja in Alicante. Forget generic travel blog fluff – this is the REAL DEAL. I'm talking messy hair, salty air, and a whole lotta opinions. We're going deep, people. Buckle up, it's going to be a wild ride of contradictory feelings.
Initial Impression & The View That Stole My Soul:
Let's be real, finding the entrance to La Lonja is an adventure in itself. It's tucked away, almost too charmingly hidden. But then you get inside, and BAM! The view. The freaking view. Forget the price (which, by the way, is ridiculously good), the view alone is worth the trip. Panoramic, breathtaking, sea-drenched. Seriously, people, the view. I'm not even kidding, my jaw actually dropped.
Accessibility – The Rollercoaster:
Okay, so here's where things get a little… complicated. Accessibility isn't La Lonja's strong suit, sadly. I mean, there is an elevator, thank the heavens! But navigating the hallways can be a bit of a squeeze, and I didn't see any obvious features for wheelchair access. This definitely needs some improvement. My experience here, it's a mixed bag, but mostly positive.
Cleanliness and Safety - Feeling Squeaky Clean!
This is where La Lonja truly shines. The cleanliness is phenomenal. I'm talking seriously spotless. They even had anti-viral cleaning products (thank you, COVID!), and I felt completely safe. They're on it with the daily disinfection in common areas and the room sanitization between stays. The staff trained in safety protocol also made me feel safe. The hand sanitizer stations were everywhere. It was just comforting.
Rooms - My Cozy Cave with a View:
My room! Oh, the room. It was basic, sure, but in the best possible way. It had air conditioning, which was an absolute godsend in the Alicante heat. There's free Wi-Fi which is, of course, available in all the rooms. The bed was comfy, the blackout curtains were heaven-sent for sleeping off one too many tapas, and the shower had good pressure. There were complimentary tea and free bottled water. And the view! I mentioned the view, right? Okay, I'm going to say it again. The view was spectacular. I can't rave about it enough. I will say, there was no laptop workspace, but honestly, I wasn't there to work! There was a desk, I saw.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Tapas Tingles and Coffee Craze!
Okay, this is where I felt the most conflicted. The restaurants are good, but not amazing. There are a few restaurants around and they offer A la carte in restaurant menus. I didn't see a vegetarian option on the menu (which made me sad since I'm a vegetarian), and the lack of Asian cuisine was a bummer since I was craving some. There is no poolside bar and there is only coffee/tea in restaurant. The lack of a proper coffee shop was a crime, especially with the views. However, the happy hour was pretty darn good! What was great was the ability of the 24-hour Room service, this was a game changer for a late night snack.
Breakfast - The Continental Conundrum:
The breakfast situation? Let's just say it's… continental. There is breakfast service, with a buffet restaurant. I didn't see any Asian breakfast or Western breakfast, but it was fine. Think pastries, cold cuts, and coffee. It wasn't a gourmet experience, but it was certainly enough to fuel your exploration of Alicante.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Extras That Matter:
La Lonja offers a decent selection of services and conveniences. I loved the concierge service, particularly when I needed recommendations for tapas. The currency exchange came in handy, a real blessing! There is no cash withdrawal, so I had to make sure I had cash on hand. The daily housekeeping was impeccable, and the laundry service gave me the opportunity to quickly wash some dirty clothes that I brought with me. The internet access was great, I used the Wi-Fi for special events I took part in.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax - Spa Dreams and Beach Schemes
This is where La Lonja falls a bit short of other hotels. There's no fitness center, no spa, no swimming pool (which, considering the location, is a bit of a shame). There aren't many ways to relax within the hotel. There are some options as far as things to do, Alicante is an amazing city!
For the Kids - Family Friendly?
I didn't see much in the way of kids facilities, but it's generally family/child friendly. There's a babysitting service there, which is great.
Getting Around - Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
Getting around is a cinch. The airport transfer was simple and a godsend. There is no free parking and no bicycle parking either, but there's a car park [on-site] that's convenient.
My Verdict - Love with a Side of Warts:
Okay, so here's the deal. Hostal La Lonja isn't perfect. It's quirky, maybe a little rough around the edges in some areas, and is not quite as accessible as I'd like. But! The view, the price, the cleanliness, and the overall charm more than make up for it. The location is perfect for exploring the city. It's a place with soul, a place that feels authentic. It's the kind of place you tell your friends about and secretly hope they don't go, because you want to keep it all to yourself. I'd go back in a heartbeat. I'm already mentally planning my return.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Mutiara Merdeka Hotel Pekanbaru - Your Indonesian Paradise!Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your perfectly-filtered Instagram itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-slightly-hungover account of my time at Hostal La Lonja in Alicante, Spain. Get ready for some bumps, because let's be honest, that's life, right?
ALICANTE: Hostal La Lonja - The Unofficial Guide (AKA My Brain Dump)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Tapas Conundrum
14:00 - Arrive Alicante, Airport Madness: Okay, so the flight was delayed (surprise!), which meant I was already running late. Not a great start. Found the transfer, which smelled faintly of old cigarettes and a faint, floral air freshener… intriguing.
15:00 - Hostal La Lonja - Check-In (Sweaty & Smelly): Finally! The Hostal. It’s…quaint. Like, really quaint. The paint's peeling a bit, the elevator is smaller than my wardrobe, and my room…well, let's just say it's got character. And by character, I mean a faint smell of… something. Possibly old garlic? I can't be sure. Tried to get a room without windows, and I got one with a tiny window looking into a courtyard…at least there is light sometimes. The receptionist was lovely though, super friendly and patient with my rusty Spanish. Bless.
16:00 - The Tapas Hunt Begins: This is where things went south. I was HUNGRY. Starving. So, I ventured out for tapas. Alicante is supposed to be a tapas mecca, right? Wrong. Or, at least, wrong for me at that moment. Walked around like a bewildered tourist. The first place was packed, the second one was intimidatingly fancy, and the third, well, let’s just say the paella looked… questionable. My stomach growled like a grumpy bear. Feeling a bit low, which lead to an existential crisis about whether or not I should stay in the Hostal, or find something new. I then realized how much I was craving for my own bed..
18:00 - The Olive Oil Revelation (and the Wine That Helped): Found a tiny, unassuming place on a side street. Decided to go for it anyway. Thank god I did!!! The olives! Oh, the olives. They were plump, oily, and bursting with flavor. I got a plate of the jamĂłn ibĂ©rico (cured ham) that practically melted in my mouth. The wine…the wine was cold, crisp, and perfectly complemented everything. Finally, some joy! This place saved my sanity.
20:00 - Sunset Stroll on the Esplanada: Fueled by tapas and vino, I took a walk along the Esplanada de España. It's beautiful, all those colorful tiles and the sea breeze. Watched the sunset, which was, admittedly, gorgeous. Started feeling a lot sunnier.
And then I went to bed: Woke up at 2 am with a terrible thirst, drank a bunch of water, and went back to bed. Such a simple pleasure!
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and the Great Sunscreen Fail)
09:00 - Breakfast at the Hostal (Acceptable): Breakfast was… basic. Coffee, toast, and some sort of vaguely orange juice. It did the job. Ate in the courtyard as the sun was shining in the morning, which was very pleasant.
10:00 - Playa del Postiguet- Sun and Fun!: This is where it's at. The Playa del Postiguet. The beach is what I came for. The sand is soft, the water is crystal clear, and the whole vibe is just chill. Spent the morning swimming, lounging, and pretending I knew how to paddleboard (spoiler alert: I didn’t).
12:00 - Sunburn Alert! (The Redness Returns): Okay, so I'm not the brightest when it comes to sun protection. The sunscreen I used was supposed to be waterproof. Lies! All lies! By mid-afternoon, I was sporting an epic sunburn. Looked like a lobster. It was a painful reminder of my lack of planning and general clumsiness.
14:00 - Lunch with a View (and a Side of Regret): Found a beachside restaurant. Ate some paella AND IT WAS AMAZING. Seriously, the best paella I've ever had. But, the lobster-redness I felt in my skin was starting to burn!
16:00 - The Great Nap of Despair: Back at the Hostal. Couldn't sleep but the sunburn was brutal, so I had to stay in the room. I spent an hour lying on the bed, trying to decide if I should go out for dinner and get extra burned or stay and avoid the burn…
18:00 - Dinner in the Bar - A New beginning!: I needed to eat, so I decided to go downstairs to the Hostal Bar. The bar wasn't busy, so I got to talk to the Hostal's owner. He gave me all the best tips of where to go and what to do. He even helped with the sun burn.
Day 3: Castle Views and a Bit of Melancholy
09:00 - Breakfast Revisited (With More Coffee Needed): Coffee was my friend today. The burnt skin was still painful, and my motivation to move was at an all time low.
10:00 - Castle Santa Bárbara - Conquering Heights: Despite my blistered state I dragged myself up to Castillo de Santa Bárbara. The views were incredible. The whole city, the sea, the mountains… it was breathtaking. The climb, however, was a killer. Several breaks to catch my breath and take pictures, which was a pleasant distraction.
13:00 - Lunch Near the Castle (Again, Questionable): Tried a very average little place, but the view made up for the meh food.
15:00 - Return to the Hostal, Feeling Blue: After a while of moving I wanted to be home. The sunburn, combined with a feeling that I had been alone for too long, made me think it would be nice to go home.
18:00 - Exploring the old town: Even though I had come alone, I was feeling bad, but I forced myself to go outside. Alicante by night is another thing. The city sparkles, the people are happy and smiling, and the food smells delicious. And you just cannot help but smile and smile!
21:00 - The Dinner That Changed Everything: Found a little place with a live band playing flamenco music. The vibe was amazing, the food was incredible, and the music was soul-stirring. Talked with a couple sitting at the table next to me, who were also tourists like me. We laughed, we shared stories, and by the end of the night, I felt that the loneliness was gone.
23:00 - Back to the Hostal, Feeling… Alive: Maybe coming to this trip alone was the best decision of my life.
Day 4: Packing and Leaving (or: The End of an Adventure)
09:00 - Breakfast (Actually Enjoyable): Ate the breakfast and made a last visit to the bar to say goodbye.
10:00 - Packing (The Struggle is Real): Okay, let's be honest, I'm a terrible packer. Everything took longer than expected.
11:00 - Last Walk Along the Esplanada: One last stroll, taking in the sights, the sounds, the scents… trying to etch it all into my memory.
12:00 - Check-Out (Smooth, Thank God).
13:00 - Departure: Off to the airport again. This time, the flight wasn't delayed, which was a definite win.
Final Thoughts:
Hostal La Lonja? Not the Ritz, but it had charm. Alicante? Beautiful, sunny, and full of surprises. My trip? Messy, imperfect, and unforgettable. Did I learn from my mistakes? Maybe. Will I be back? Absolutely! (But next time, I'm bringing MORE sunscreen.) Now, time to get back to the regular life.
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