Does this hotel exist?

[Apollonia1]

I used to travel a lot before kids, but since having twins (now 4), I've only been on one holiday.

I'm looking for a hotel in Spain/Greece that is:

• right on the beach
• in a village/town, with restaurants, galleries, sights, etc (so no car needed)
• modern/white/clean
• smallish hotel (i.e. not a resort hotel with multiple restaurants/pools)

Budget is very flexible. I'd rather not all-inclusive, since they seem to be further away from the village/town center.

I used to live in Spain years ago, and remember staying in simple hotels on the beach, which would be perfect, but I can't remember where they were! i.e. the type of hotel that Spanish/Greek locals would go to.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Realistically you are going to have a hard time finding this.

Restaurants, sights, and (especially) galleries implies a larger town.
A larger town and being right on the beach implies lots of other hotels nearby.
Lots of other hotels nearby implies expensive land.
Expensive land implies that a hotel, especially a modern one that was recently built, will need to be big because they need to bring in so many thousand Euros per square metre of land per year.

So something on your list is probably going to have to give.

Hotels by the sea in warm countries are no longer built by families. They are built by large investment groups who do yield management to the Nth degree.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, you're right. I'm happy for the sights/galleries to give (realistically 4-year olds will not be interested in this).

So a small village/town on the beach is fine.
The hotel doesn't have to be a new-build, but newly done-up (so not musty and dark).
Family run hotels sound ideal, if anyone has suggestions?

I've booked a small hotel on El Campello beach, near Alicante for September, but would love any other suggestions for future holidays.

Ammos Hotel, Chania

We went when DD was 3 and again when she was 4. It is a bus ride into town but other than that is exactly as you describe. It was perfect for us at that age.

@DearOccupant thanks for the recommendation - had a look, it looks like the type of place I'm thinking of.

Anymore recommendations most welcome!

There are lots of smaller hotels matching your description around the Nea Makri/Raffina area of mainland Greece. It's a short hop from Athens too, if you wanted to do an early morning walking tour of the Parthenon for example.

Chios island has the Chandris Hotel right on the quay/marina (I do love an evening walk around a marina 😅) with a beach a few minutes walk away.

Stayed here a few years ago and it ticks all your boxes. Small and very clean. Absolutely amazing breakfasts and gorgeous views a bonus!

https://portocalpe.com/en/

Does the Paradour in Javea fit your criteria?