Hotels and places to stay in Elche

If you're looking at where to stay in Elche, the first thing you should know is that the city isn't very big, so the distances between one area and another are short. The historic centre, around the Basílica de Santa María and the Palacio de Altamira, is the most practical option if you're coming to see the old town, the Museo Arqueológico and the shopping area. Here you'll find hotels such as the Hotel Elche Centro, affiliated by Melia, and also simple hostales such as the Hostal María, which tend to have more affordable prices. That said, the centre is largely pedestrianised, so if you arrive by car you'll have to look for parking nearby or use the public car parks, which aren't cheap.

If you prefer peace and quiet and don't mind taking the car to go to the beach, the Palmeral area and its surroundings are a good alternative. It's about a ten-minute walk from the centre, but the atmosphere is more residential and there are more apartments and guest houses. From here it's also easy to get out onto the motorway if you're planning to move around the region. Another option is to stay near the train station, which is north of the centre. It isn't the prettiest area, but it's practical if you arrive by AVE or commuter train, and you have hotels such as the Ibis Elche or the B&B HOTEL Elche, which are functional and good value for money. If what you're looking for is the beach, bear in mind that Elche has no coast; the nearest beach is in Arenales del Sol, about ten kilometres away, and there are also some apartments and villas there, although the offer is more limited and in summer prices rise quite a bit.

As for prices, the average of the 77 accommodations in the city is around 159 euros per night, but you can find options from 77 euros if you book in advance or travel midweek. High season is from June to September, and there are also peaks at Easter and during the August festivities, when the hotels in the centre fill up. If your dates are flexible, November and February are the cheapest months, and weekends tend to be more expensive than weekdays. To get around, the best thing is the car if you want to visit the Palmeral or go to the beach, but within the city you can walk or use the urban bus, which connects the centre well with the station and the outlying neighbourhoods. Before booking, check whether the accommodation has its own parking or an agreement with a car park, because in the centre it's an extra expense that can add 15 or 20 euros a day. It's also worth checking whether the price includes breakfast, because in chain hotels it's usually optional and in apartments there isn't always daily cleaning service. Lastly, look at the category: the average is 3.6 stars, so don't expect great luxury in most places, but you will find decent, well-located establishments.