We would like to spend one night in a small village about one hour east of Valencia? Does anyone have a recomendation??

One hour east? That would put you on an island in the Med.

While that might be nice, I actually meant one hour south. We want to rise early the following morning and drive in to the city of arts and sciences.

You put on the title "city" so I was about to answer Castellon is one hour north But then inside you say a small village one hour south ...so my answer is no good Another answer...but I don't know if it's one hour or more like one hour and a half..Altea. Moraira is very pretty too.

depending on the time of year, the beach traffic could be gruesome certain days/hours.

but kenderina is right on.. but you might want to go a bit further up towards denia/xabia(Javea) or even Oliva.
these are also beach towns.. and off season would be easy to find reasonable priced lodging.

altea is quainter and more artsy, but almost 20 minutes further south.

gandia is a nice beach town with plenty of accomodations and a huge wide beach.

THanks everyone! I will look at all these places.

none of these are "villages". nothing too unique so close to valencia that hasnīt been invaded, really.

gandia would be the easiest drive, and will probably have the most beachfrontlodging available but may be "bigger" than you want.

there are some rural hotels up in the mountains around gandia. you might be able to find something more unique that way.

see www.toprural.com