If you are looking for the best boutique hotel in Costa Blanca, then Villa Riu Blanc is exactly what you’re looking for. Whether it’s a weekend getaway with the hubby or girly escape with your bestie, then this brand new boutique hotel is just perfect.
Only an hour from both Valencia or Alicante, you have two international airports to choose from. A visit to Villa Riu Blanc doesn’t get much easier. So, grab a cheap flight and book in some me-time near the sunny coastal towns of Javea, Benissa and Calpe. Costa Blanca in Spain is well worth a visit, there is so much to do, see and explore. We love it so much in fact, that it’s an area that we have regularly returned to.
And here I am with my gal pal, sat by the pool, a bottle of local wine by my side… and I’m in a wee slice of Spanish paradise. It’s a mid-week break from the kids for me and my bestie… girl time is in full swing! The sun chases us around the pool and the olive trees and palms provide the perfect shade. This feels like the very best of Spain… a little bit rustic but at the same time refined.
Read on for our full review of Villa Riu Blanc for all the highlights, the things that make it unique, special and my favourite part… sustainable!
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Table of Contents
The Overview
🌊 Location – Carretera N-332 between Benissa and Calpe. Near Alicante and Valencia
💶 Approximate Rates – approx 145 Euros per night (breakfast included)
🛏 5 Rooms Available – Double rooms, this is an adult only hotel
🍽 Amenities – Inclusive breakfast, pool, Honesty Bar with selection of local wines
📚 Shared Spaces – Indoor fire place & quiet relaxing spaces, outdoor terraces
Villa Riu Blanc, is owned by Dirk & Patricia and has a unique story, that sets it apart from other boutique hotels in Costa Blanca. Read on for our full review below.
The Story – Villa Riu Blanc Boutique Hotel
Owners Patricia and Dirk in 2020 were at a crossroads. Those life changing kind of crossroads where you have some exciting but profound decisions to make. The kind that require some risk taking and a leap of faith. This path led them to a villa nestled in a quiet valley, with beautiful sea views, in the heart of Costa Blanca.
Once a hotel owned by an elderly couple, there was a considerable amount of work to be done. Renovated and decorated with the help of their daughter, this boutique hotel has now been reborn. And in April 2022 Villa Riu Blanc opened its door. The result – a contemporary, yet country villa and most importantly a place of peace and tranquility.
So close to the stunning coastal towns of Calpe, Javea and Altea, you get the best of it all. Ocean views and quiet countryside, all the while without the busy tourist foot traffic. There are a total of five rooms in Villa Riu Blanc, which is just one of the many charms of this special place.
Patricia and Dirk, both originally from Belgium, are the perfect hosts. They take time for their guests. But at the same time, they give you space if that’s the experience you’re after. After chatting with them for a while you can see that Villa Riu Blanc is their heart and soul. They are passionate about creating a quality space that is unique.
It’s all in the details, with Patricia’s unique handmade pottery collections. The sheer curtains blowing in the breeze on the terrace, the scent that fills the villa the moment you enter. But this is only the beginning… there is much more to come. Read on for my favourite aspects of Villa Riu Blanc.
The Backdrop
Villa Riu Blanc finds the perfect balance between mountains and Costa Blanca seaside. The weather is perfect, the air quality one of the best in Europe, Valencia is on their doorstep and some of the most stunning coastline in Spain is mere minutes from the Villa.
Patricia and Dirk chose this villa largely for its ideal location. Less than 10 minutes and you are in Calpe. Here you’ll find beautiful beaches, the Queen’s Baths is one of my favourite places to swim, and in the old town many restaurants to tempt the food lover in you.
Nearby in Javea, one of my favourite areas to explore, there are stunning rocky bays to sunbath on or snorkel in. Some of the prettiest being Cala Portixol or Cala Granadella. Javea is also known for its gastronomy which makes for a perfect place to try the local Spanish cuisine.
What’s best is Patricia and Dirk will not only recommend great places to eat and drink in all of these areas, but they’ll even go so far as helping you book something. It’s those extra little courtesies that I just love!
Basically, there is enough to entertain you here for a weekend, or a week, or even two weeks. It definitely helps to get a rental car, but nothing is more than 30 minutes away. So as far as location, location, location… Villa Riu Blanc is a winner.
The Sustainability
The Solar Energy & Water
For Patricia and Dirk, providing a sustainable property was a key motivator in many of their choices in the renovation of Villa Riu Blanc. Solar energy is the primary source for the water heating and new energy saving air conditioning units were installed. And given that they are in the early stages with their hotel, the plan is to continue looking for alternative solutions to energy and water.
From our chats and the framed information sheets placed around the hotel, I feel their commitment and journey in becoming a sustainable property is a genuine one. I also loved the gentle reminders in the bathrooms to mind water consumption and towel usage.
The Supporting Local
What’s more, Patricia and Dirk have gone in search of people in the local community who are creating quality produce. They have established relationships with these artisans and bring their products into Villa Riu Blanc wherever they can.
From breakfast with the delicious local cheese and sobrasada, a typical cured meat, to the shampoo bars in the bathrooms, and the wines in the honesty bar. It’s on hearing about these stories that you know that Villa Riu Blanc has been truly thought about… love and care has been a factor at every stage of its creation.
In a nutshell – I just love the dedication to sustainability and supporting local. This is something that I would love to see more of for accommodation options along our full-time travels. And these guys seem to have it at the core of what they do.
For ideas related to sustainable travel click here for my 15 favourite eco-friendly travel products.
The Sleeping
Staying in the room Dieciocho, we climb up the stair case to the top floor. I feel like we are going to have a pretty special view. As we open the door and enter the room of beautiful contrasting creams and greens, we catch a glimpse of that views… and it doesn’t disappoint. Just beyond the wooden green shutters the valley view below leads off towards the Mediterranean.
The room is picture perfect, the details in the bedding, the gentle yellow hues from the lamps. The bed is big, it’s comfortable and with the shutters closed for the night, we are ready for our well-deserved sleep in. There are no kids to wake us in the morning, no rush, no panic… it’s magic. The perfect mumcation treat – a space to relax, read and admire.
Oh, and did I mention the bathroom! Chilling in a tub with a glass of Tahulla, a locally made muscatel, and I’m world’s away from my mum duties. The views from the bedroom have continued through to the bathroom. A long window, with cute curtains opens up the bathroom into the valley and the hills beyond. Talk about the right way to unwind!
The Amenities
The Honesty Bar
The honesty bar is a concept you’ll love. Downstairs in the central area of the villa is a bar… that you can help yourself to. Enter the wine… oh the wines are really special. You’ll probably want to try them all if you love wine as much as I do.
Dirk is something of a connoisseur, he knows his wines. He has met growers in the area who not only produce their own wine, but they are small businesses and produce wine with a passion. And as such, Dirk has picked a few of his favourites for the bar.
All you need to do is head downstairs, read the information sheets for each bottle and choose which one you want. On the little clipboard at the bar, you write what you have taken, grab yourself a couple of wine glasses and enjoy it in your favourite location within Villa Riu Blanc.
The Terraces and Monkey Cage
At the back of the villa is a tiered terrace, with plenty of places to enjoy a glass of that vino we talked about above. The rock walls, sunken terrace, windblown drapes, flax woven lampshades and pottery features unite, creating a rustic yet refined space. This area has been created by someone who knows design and can bring together colours and concepts very well indeed.
I know I mentioned the monkey cage, but I’m going to let you find out about that for yourself. It’s an interesting story and one you need to ask Dirk and Patricia about. But just to reassure you, don’t worry, you won’t find caged monkeys here.
The Pool
Hidden on a tiered, cosy secluded section of the property, and I just can’t get enough of this pool. This part of the villa is the perfect place to cool off, but at the same time comfy bamboo loungers provide the ideal location to warm up on.
I don’t know whether it’s the many years living as an expat in Dubai, but the grassy surrounding of the pool resembles an oasis. Picture perfect Spain! Colours you could swoon in, olive greens, Mediterranean blues and hints of terracotta, mustards and cool greens to catch the eye.
Do I really have to leave?
The Breakfast
Breakfast is served with the ranch sliding doors wide open. Once again, that view lures you in. In the distance the Calpe rock against the blue skies and ocean view provides a very special backdrop indeed.
And the breakfast, well, it shines! It’s wholesome, delicious and it’s a feast… you won’t need lunch afterwards.
We are served a little of everything… a pancake, granola and yoghurt, delicious local meats and cheeses, toasts served with an assortment of tomato, jamon serrano, mozzarella, sprouts and hummus. I will be trying to create an assorted toast like this for my breakfast when I return to reality in a few days. It’s a challenge to give justice to the breakfast here with a summary of a few sentences.
But let me just say this… I love food, and breakfast was curated and served by food lovers.
The Child Free Zone
Villa Riu Blanc is a beautiful excuse for a girly getaway or a weekend without the kids. This is because this boutique gem is a child free hotel. Sorry families you’ll need to find somewhere else this time.
This means Villa Riu Blanc is tranquil, peaceful and a true escape. Bring a good book, kick back and relax, take the opportunity to unwind and reboot.
The Villa Riu Blanc Ethos & Vibe
My heart feels heavy as I leave Villa Riu Blanc… when Patricia and Dirk describe their villa as a hideaway, they speak the truth.
This stay was a luxury experience without the crazy price tag attached. So in terms of Ethos and Vibe… I was feeling it ALL.
There is so much good happening here and I hope you find some time from your busy schedule to book that getaway you deserve. In fact, don’t think about it too long… just go ahead and book it in right now! (And be sure to say hi to Patricia and Dirk from me.)
I’m grateful to Dirk & Patricia for offering a night hosted stay and allowing me to write this honest review. Please note I always research a guest house before choosing to take a hosted stay to ensure their values align with My Free Range Family travel values around sustainability and slow travel. All photos and views shared here are my own.
Read all our travel blogs on Spain for more travel inspo. From Granada to Barcelona, or for a Balearic Island vacay to Mallorca… there is a little something here for everyone.
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