We are doing the Barcelona-Granada drive in June. My bf remembers Alicante fondly but that was many many (many, many) moons ago. It's seems to be a bit built up and not very charming from what I've read here and seen on other sites.

Elche seems like the best bet for relaxing and charm combination and a good place to spend a night.

Huerto Del Cura Hotel looks like a nice place. We don't need much nightlife since we'll have Barcelona and Madrid on either side of this.

Any thoughts or comments on either Elche or other places that would be recommended?

Muchas Gracias!

I used to live there! It is a nice little place and a good stopping point. In fact, I remember suggesting it a while ago on this forum to someone else. El Huerto del Cura is by far the best place to stay and also has the best food. When are you going through? The fiestas are in August and are pretty hectic.

While in Elche, walk through the Palmeral and the park. There are remains of an Iberian wall and the cathedral is really a sight to see in the middle of such a relatively small place.

I love Alicante (lived there, too, and visit every chance I get), but for a visitor it can be built up and a little much.

Elche is a wonderful place and easy to get to. Driving around is a challenge inside the town, but getting from the highway to the Cura is a breeze.

El Gordo (Lottery) for Christmas 2004 was sold in Elche (Alicante) - a lot of the people there had 'decimos' and suddenly became wealthy. If you stop there, buy a Christmas lottery tix.

Like Your significant Other I prefer Alicante, but you may find a nice stopping place in Benidorm or San Juan Playa that's not too full in June. In Alicante, I still like the Palas hotel even though the the Mélia is newer. We spent our honeymoon in Benidorm at what is now the MonteMar Hotel. We revisited the place about 20-years layer: made quite a hit with a bunch of Germans on a package tour.

Warning about Benidorm: it is the most overly built coastal cities in Spain.

I just realized that you said June. . . when will you be there. The Hogueras in Alicante are from the 20-24 and the city becomes a total madhouse. It is tons of fun to go out dancing, but the streets are cut and there are thousands of drunken revelers.

Thanks but Benidorm wasn't even in the running. We'll be in Spain the first 2 weeks of June since we need to be in Paris for the graduate program on the 14th.

Thanks again all. Hope to have a great trip report after all is said and done!

Just want to jump back in and say that Elx/Elche was a fabulous mid-way point. It wasn't overly built up like the Alicante coastal area was (and thinking about it, most of the coast line), the place we stayed wasn't a 4-star but it was neat and clean with a fabulous bathroom, heated pool, and some restaurants nearby that were open on a Sunday. I'd definitely recommend it.