The best hotels in Valencia

This elegant Petit Palace boutique hotel in Eixample offers the best of old and new design. Set in a handsome nineteenth-century building fronted with wrought-iron balconies are modern rooms with air conditioning and spare, clean lines; they come with free wifi, minibars, iPod docks and, in upgraded ones, terraces. A breakfast buffet is included in the room rates (from around £80), and you can borrow bikes and iPads at no extra charge. 

With rooms designed by local hero Javier Mariscal (creator of Barcelona’s cute 1992 Olympics mascot, Cobi), the Silken Puerta sports all his signature flourishes, from whimsical drawings on the exterior to chic décor and whizzy artworks in bright rooms featuring parquet floors. All offer free wifi, and if you’re a gym fan you can ask for one with fitness equipment. Swing for an upgraded room or suite and you’ll have options like terraces and whirlpool baths, too.

One of the joys of Valencia is its mix of great city attractions and huge, wide beaches; if you lean towards the latter, this 250-room resort hotel with gym, spa and two outdoor pools set in expansive gardens and terraces right on Las Arenas beach won’t disappoint. Behind its imposing façade (which dates back to 1898 when it began life as a grand hotel) are pleasant rooms in neutral tones, most with seafront views, as well as a lobby bar, an airy brasserie and an outdoor bar/restaurant where you can eat breakfast during the summer months.

Still at the beach, but less imposing than Hotel Balneario Las Arenas, the Hotel Neptuno offers pared-back stylish rooms with picture windows and works by local artists, as well as free wifi, minibars and sea views, while upgraded ones add laptops and whirlpool tubs. The beachfront bar is a great spot from which to people-watch, and there’s a roof terrace with a hot tub too, as well as a small spa and gym. 

The funky name of this laidback hotel reflects its membership of an imaginatively designed mini-chain of five hotels; this one, in a modern building located in the heart of the city on Plaza del Ayuntamiento, is filled with murals that reference icons old and new, from the Colosseum to the Beatles. Each hotel has its own USP – Casual Valencia del Cine features movie murals while Casual Valencia de las Artes focuses on sea-themed art and throws in a pool and sauna. But they all share bright, spacious rooms with free wifi, and most offer a free buffet breakfast, too.

Huge picture windows looking out onto white sands and David Chipperfield’s iconic America’s Cup Building (Veles e Ventes) are just one reason to stay at this lovely beachfront location on Paseo Neptuno. Bright rooms in a mix of contemporary or colonial styles at less than £100 are another, especially when they include free wifi and complimentary breakfast served in a sparkling seafront restaurant and bar.

Luxurious, elegant and boasting a deserved five stars, this nineteenth-century Eixample Noble Mansion on the edge of the Turia Gardens is a beauty, from its interior courtyard garden and Valencian restaurant to its spa and manly modern rooms, which come with free wifi and minibars. Many original features, including beautifully crafted wood, marble and glasswork, make you feel like you’re in the lap of luxury, but at very affordable prices – even in high season, rooms here can be had for less than £150.

There are a handful of One Shot hotels in Valencia, we chose the Reina Victoria over the Colon 45 and Mercat 09 for its elegant art deco building and old-school charm, and a location that’s perfect for exploring the city centre. Spaces are plush and nicely appointed, with lots of wood and original features creating a real sense of warmth and comfort, but rooms don’t stint on mod-cons; expect smart, monochrome spaces with minifridges, rainfall showers or tubs and free wifi.

If you’re a history buff, this is the place for you; the Caro Hotel’s sleek interiors literally incorporate the Roman and Arab remains found when the building was being renovated – the Arab Tower room even features a section of the twelfth-century city wall. All rooms have free wifi, minibars and swish bathrooms with Bulgari toiletries, and the smart, contemporary design beautifully encompasses the many original features of the former palace – including frescoed ceilings, fireplaces and vintage woodcraft. And at around £120 a night, it’s a steal.  

The Melia chain is always reliable for smart, chic styling and good design, and this one tops the lot when it comes to choices in Valencia. Literally – it’s the tallest building in the city. Expect great views from any of the 300 rooms set over the 30 floors, but also kettles (a rarity in Spanish hotels), neutral design in comfortable rooms, marble bathrooms, and free wifi. The spa includes a pool and gym, and the price (with rooms from well under £100) and what you get for it make it a great choice for high-fliers on a budget.