Sea You Hotel Port

Location is a key factor in the success of a hotel, and the new, or to be accurate, revamped Sea You Hotel Port is in an interesting location for both visitors to Valencia and residents.

This 4 star, 8 storey hotel resolves in part the problem of “beach or city; which do you want?”

As Valencia’s city centre is a few kilometres from the city, it’s necessary to use some sort of transport to get from one to the other, so Sea You is a good compromise. Within walking distance from the beach, it is located alongside the port, as the name suggests, in a boom area where, for example, it is within sight of the clock tower building where it is hoped to house a Sorolla museum, and of the old port buildings, which are being reformed and remodelled to host a number of leisure activities, such as the Galician seafood festival held nearby in the summer of 2018.

The hotel is also right on the edge of Valencia’s new Notting Hill, the Cabanyal, the old fishermen’s quarter which is now moving upmarket and has a lively nightlife with bars and restaurants for all tastes.

The city centre is well connected by bus and tram, or a bracing 20 minute stroll for the fitter among us.

The hotel has been completely refurbished since its management was taken over by the Libertas 7 group and among the new attractions are a series of original paintings by local artist Pablo Noguera.

Attention to detail has been paramount in the new design; the beds are so big that you could play a cricket match on them and each room has poetry on the wall to inspire you in the morning. Also, the wooden floors add a little nautical touch that suits the area down to a t; speaking of which, the variety of teas is one of the widest and most exotics I have come across in any bar.

As well as the terraced, sidewalk café, there is a first floor restaurant with pleasant views of the little square, with fountain and church, where the hotel stands, and piles of books available for the guests.

The house chef is from Castilla La Mancha and produces delicious home cooked meals with a Mediterranean influence, with a lunchtime menu for 15€.

There is also a discrete second dining room for company meals or private functions witha ceiling decor that I can only describe as challenging.

I have saved the best for last however. The rooftop penthouse bar with mini pool is sure to be a winner on those Valencia nights where the summer breezes can best be enjoyed up high, and up there, with views of the sea and ships, of the Sierra de Calderona mountains and the City of Arts and Sciences, what better way to spend an evening!

There is also a small gym up there and a sauna, although the jacuzzi in every room should keep most aquafans happy.

Sea You Hotel Port is located in Plaza Tribunal de las Aguas, number 5, next to the Atarazanas Museum and across the square from the Maria del Mar church.