The four-pearl Sant Pere del Bosc Hotel & Spa offers a relaxed and elegant atmosphere among the forests above Lloret de Mar. The Catalan monastery-like hotel is a 20-minute drive from the heart of Lloret del Mar and its beaches, making this a property that caters to travelers with cars who prefer to primarily relax on-site. The 19 elegant rooms are individually decorated and spacious with stocked mini-fridges and some sea views, but they lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. A restaurant with a continental breakfast buffet, pool, and spa allow guests to stay entertained without having to leave the property. Hotel Acacias Suites & Spa is a good alternative for couples who want a hotel with a gym and a location closer to the beaches and city center. 

Evenia Olympic Palace is a four-pearl all-inclusive resort with a sprawling kid-friendly pool complex and family features galore. With six pools, dragon-themed waterslides, a spa, a buffet restaurant, and a bar, there’s plenty to keep the family entertained. The 167 rooms are pleasant and modern. Each comes with two flat-screen TVs, balconies, and microwaves. Guests on the all-inclusive plan can access a free shuttle to the beach. But the resort has a few pesky fees -- for the spa, gym, and Wi-Fi. As an alternative, Hotel Guitart has similar amenities and rooms, and Wi-Fi is free.

While there are other all-inclusive resorts in the area, few offer as many great amenities as this hotel, including several large pools; a great water park complete with a pirate ship and slides; and a spa. The hotel underwent renovations in 2014, and most rooms are cheerful and contemporary, with flat-screen TVs and balconies. However, some common areas -- such as the restaurant -- could use an update as well. Location in a quiet part of Lloret, within walking distance of the city center, is a plus -- but guests should note that there are a few pesky fees, including for Wi-Fi, and for use of tennis courts and in-room safes.

Offering a welcome respite from the crowds and concrete of nearby Lloret, this upper-middle-range 76-room hotel sits on a tranquil, pine-covered hill overlooking the water. Relaxing poolside is a popular pastime here; however, guests craving a toes-in-the sand experience need only follow the pretty path down to Santa Cristina Beach, the sandy crescent that is Hotel Santa Marta’s greatest asset. In addition, the property has tennis courts plus a modern spa with a fitness center, but its rooms are rather dated in terms of both decor and equipment. Anyone looking for a full-on resort experience closer to Lloret should consider the four-pearl Evenia Olympic Palace instead. 

The four-pearl Alegria Plaza Paris is a fun and lively property that's within a seven-minute walk to the beach and Lloret de Mar. Its public spaces are attractive, and while some of its 146 guest rooms are sleek with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and balconies, other rooms are dated. There’s a full restaurant, bar, gym, pools, and hot tubs, plus a spa that comes with an extra charge. Overall, it’s a good choice for couples and friends traveling together, but the young party crowd can get noisy at night. Note that this hotel closes in the winter. Travelers might want to compare rates at Gran Hotel Flamingo, which also has a fun, party-like atmosphere.

Alba Seleqtta is a mid-range hotel located in a quiet area a short walk from the beach and the city center. It features 180 contemporary rooms with balconies and HD flat-screen TVs. Junior Suite Design are particularly appealing, with carved wooden headboards, accent walls, and jetted tubs. The hotel offers a wide array of on-site amenities, including a pool, a spa, a solid Mediterranean restaurant, and a kids’ club. Just note that there are a number of pesky fees -- such as Wi-Fi, parking, and for use of mini-fridges -- and that there have been complaints of poor soundproofing in rooms.

Gran Hotel Monterrey is an upscale property located within walking distance of the city center. Most of its 200 rooms feature flat-screen TVs, minibars, terraces with garden or ocean views, and wooden floors. But lower-category rooms (Comfort and Superior) are underwhelming for a hotel in this price range. Property highlights include a spa complete with hydrotherapy and treatment rooms; a pool surrounded by quiet gardens; a Mediterranean restaurant with outdoor seating; a casino; a beach club; and an outdoor lounge. While the hotel offers fitness activities during the summer months, it lacks a fitness center.