Hotel El Cid

Hotel El Cid details

“In a central spot just minutes from the sand, the gay-friendly El Cid is perfectly placed for lazy days and party nights.”

One of the best things about this place is its location. It’s just five minutes from the beach, the bars and the train station, which makes day-tripping to Barcelona a cinch. And if you do hit Sitges’ main gay district, you won’t have to worry about hailing a taxi back to your room - you can be there in minutes.

As for the hotel itself, it’s a typically Spanish seaside number – all wrought-iron balconies, stripy awnings and whitewashed walls. It might be due a facelift but the retro feel somehow adds to the charm, and it’s often flagged up on TripAdvisor as being great value for money. Bedrooms are simple but traditional – think crisp white walls, simple wooden furniture and French windows opening onto private balconies. Plus, they’re cleaned daily so everything stays first-day fresh.

Outside, you’ll find a classic rectangular pool framed by a lounger-dotted terrace. There’s a hotel bar mixing up cocktails and soft drinks, too. Plus, of course, there’s the beach if you prefer sunbathing on the sand.

On the food front, there’s a cosy breakfast room serving help-yourself Continental breakfasts – just-baked breads, still-warm pastries and fresh fruit are the mainstays. And there’s plenty of hot coffee and freshly-squeezed juices on tap to set you up for the day.