Hotel Castilla Reviews

We booked up at the Hotel Castillalicante after reading about the resort and hotel

All in all, we were disappointed. I'm not sure if it was because we were expecting too much, due to our previous beach holiday in Mallorca (see Beverly Playa review) - or because neither of us had been to the Costa Blanca before.

The resort was very similar to the part of Aludia I'd been to (Alcudia Beach Hotel) - across a main road to the lovely beach and set amongst a residential area with a small strip of shops not far from the hotel. The difference between Alcudia and San Juan was the fact that it was all tall tower blocks rather than smart houses. Standing on the balcony, you could often have a neb into the local apartments!! We didn't see anything we shouldn't have though!

We had booked bed and continental breakfast on the website for what seemed a good deal.
We hired a car and using a map from the hotel web-site (and the handy signposts on the main roads directing you to certain hotels), we found the general area - but not the hotel. We found it in the end, but not a parking space. After squeezing into a small gap, we trundled down the road to the hotel and checked in. It turned out that parking was available for 7euros a night and leaving it on the road would lead to a fine. I paid the 7euros.

As we expected, the resort was quiet and the shortage of café's that were open, lead to us having a meal in the hotel bar.
The waiter spoke no English and us, very little Spanish - but eventually we managed to get some sort of tapas dish with a beer each for 9euros. It was tasty - but not filling. It consisted of potato, tuna fish, egg, peas and had a vinegary taste.

We slunk off to bed and had an early night.

Breakfast was poor. We went back to the bar and were asked if we would like tea or coffee, orange juice and either toast or croissant.
That was it!!

It was the same every day. We found that they had opened up the restaurant - but for some reason we weren't allowed in there.

During the day we had a wander around the resort and found a little bakery that made lovely bread. We also found a lovely café on the beach called Casa Domingo. The service is quick and the prices reasonable. 7 bottles of beer (between the two of us), paella for two and a huge plate of king prawns came to 30euros. It filled up quickly over lunchtime with Germans and locals, so get there early.
We didn't have an evening meal there, so I can't comment on what it is like on a night.
I am guessing it will be different in the summer months too.

We explored the wider areas, using the car and visited the Caves de Canelabra (not suitable for disabled or those with walking difficulties) and further down the coast towards La Manga/Cartenega.

We found a Caprabo supermarket and would recommend it if you want to try local/international food at reasonable prices. The beer and wine are cheap!! The fresh bread and cakes are nice too!!

This was a quiet resort and if you hire a car - ideal for visiting the places around the region.
I am not sure what it would be like as part of a package tour or without a car as you would be limited (even if all the bars were open) as to what you can do.
We found an English bar (The Pink Flamingo or something) and had a look in. We had a swift half and left. It was smelly, dusty and not nice. The food was kept in those hot trays you get in chip shops that the peas, curry and gravy are left in....

Despite the breakfasts, the hotel was nice and clean and the staff friendly. Be aware that the pool isn't heated (or it wasn't turned on) and was very cold!!

We might have felt differently, if this was our first visit abroad. We wouldn't go back - but all in all, apart from the breakfasts - there was nothing majorly wrong with the San Juan. It just wasn't our cup of tea.