Carabela 2

We had spotted this hotel while on a previous self catering visit to this popular Spanish seaside town and decided to try it out which we did in late October, 2012. We are delighted to report that in our opinion it was a good choice in every respect. We were warmly welcomed on arrival, and given exactly the type of room & situation in the building, and even a real double bed, which we prefer to two singles which often are shoved together to look like a double, until you fall down between them during the night! The hotel is long established but has been very well maintained and was spotlessly clean both in the room and in the public areas. We would recommend that one should request a room to the front of the hotel which looks over the car parking area, to the San Antonio public park, and has the sun from morning until evening. This is a much better outlook than to the back which would only afford a very close and gloomy view of the next building, We were privileged to be given room 115 which was a first floor corner room with a huge wrap round terrace, the largest at this hotel. It appears that the odd numbered rooms are to the front and the evens are to the rear, on all floors. The down side is of course some noise from late night motor scooters and the early morning refuse truck, but this is Spain after all. The included breakfast was the normal Spanish or continental type which is quite adequate and was pleasantly served by staff in the small dining room. Apparently they fully operate their restaurant only during the summer months when one can have lunch or dinner as required. There is a large Consum supermarket immediately behind the Carabela where one can purchase snacks and drinks. The hotel also has several excellent cafes in the vicinity where one can find tapas and sandwiches. There are a few Spanish bar/restaurants nearby doing excellent menu del dia lunches for under 10€. We found that if we bought lunch then a couple of tapas were fine for our evening needs. All in all, this hotel was perfect for us and in our opinion gave excellent value for money. One small thing has to be said, and very quietly. Cullera has relatively few hotels, and as a result has thankfully managed to escape the attentions of UK tour operators. It is still completely Spanish. There are no British bars, no Sunday roasts, no loud music or tat shops, and in fact, in two years we have only once heard English being spoken. The locals and shop staff do not offer to speak English, and we suspect that without Spanish, it might be difficult to get what you wish in a bar or restaurant, as there do not seem to be menus in English either. Only once in a Chinese restaurant did the waiter attempt to converse in English to us but it soon transpired that he was much better able to do his job speaking in Spanish with us, So this can be your secret escape in Spain, SSSHHHHHHHH.......