La Encarnacion Hotel Los Alcazares Murcia

Historic Los Alcazares Hotel La Encarnacion

The Hotel and Balneario La Encarnación is the most historic hotel in Los Alcázares, built right on the beach front in a privileged position.

Its construction dates back to a period when the affluent middle classes from the cities started to visit the seaside to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of bathing in the warm waters of the Mar Menor, the Balnearios stretching out into the sea on stilts to ensure bathers a modicum of decency as they entered the warm water.

The hotel itself not only offers overnight accommodation but is also popular as a restaurant, offering an excellent lunchtime menu or a stylish evening dining option, with an intimate and attractive courtyard, or views from the front terrace straight onto the beach.

in addition, the Balneario itself has been converted into a restaurant, and diners can enjoy a selection of fresh local fish, the famous local speciality, murcian caldero, with the sounds of lapping waters accompanying their meal, a glorious place to enjoy a special experience over the waters of the Mar Menor.

A BIT OF HISTORY

The hotel  building itself dates from the end of the 19th century, built by Alfonso Carrión, a well known industrial miner from La Unión, and a man who played an important ròle in the economic growth and future social development of Los Alcázares.

This was the first hotel complex anywhere on the Mar Menor, and was visited by King Alfonso XIII in 1924. At that time it was next door to a magnificent sailing club, which was unfortunately destroyed by a fierce storm in December 1949.

After the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) it was home for a while to the Russian officers who collaborated with the government of the Second Republic in the construction of the Los Alcázares aerodrome.

Since then it has been the focal point for most of the institutional and cultural activities held in the municipality, and is a reference point for all visitors to the town. On 13th October 1983 it was the venue for the first full session of the Town Council of Los Alcázares.

During the summer musical recitals take place in the intimate courtyard or terrace of the hotel, and the hotel is an important focal point for the "El Día del Caldero", in honour of the many local fishermen and their typical food. This local tradition began in 1983, and year after year guests join us to celebrate on the 12th October, a Spanish national holiday.

The Hotel was also the location for the film Garden of Eden, starring Richard E Grant, in which it´s authentically nostalgic atmosphere became the setting for a film actually set in the French Riviera.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE BUILDING

This is a listed building, and has been declared as being of listed Cultural Interest.

The style is typically Mediterranean, with the two floors distributed around a central patio and garden which is the hub of all the activity in the building. The ground floor houses two restaurants, the old gallery from the thermal baths and two halls, one on the east looking out over the Mar Menor, the other on the west with views onto the Paseo de la Feria.

In front of the east façade is a terrace just 15 metres from the sea, where guests can enjoy the early morning and late evening sunshine. The patio and garden area is a comfortable place to relax at any time of day, and is also a popular venue for ceremonies and the celebration of special occasions. Special decorations are added for such events.

The upper floor contains 37 rooms - singles, doubles and various other combinations - which have been decorated in an appropriate period style. Some look out over the sea and others face inland, and most have en suite bathroom facilities.

The hotel is open all year, and accommodation is Bed and Breakfast with use of the restaurant. During the year the hotel is open to visitors who are keen to see the gallery from the old thermal baths and the interior patio and garden.

Summer nights in the hotel are a memorable experience, with live music on the terrace looking out over the sea or in the garden, depending on the climatic and sea conditions.

The "La Encarnación" restaurant is open all year. The restaurant staff are highly qualified, most of them are bilingual, and their high level of professionalism is widely respected.

Customers can choose to eat in the dining-rooms or outside on the terrace, or even in the patio and garden area. This flexibility makes it an ideal place to celebrate special occasions, with differently sized areas and levels of service which are adaptable for any kind of event. The restaurant provides itself on providing a quality service for christenings, first communion parties, weddings, works parties or business meetings, all at very competitive prices.

Just fifty metres from the hotel and restaurant is another striking listed building: the Balneario de San Antonio. This was built on stilts over the sea, and is the last remaining building of its type. Nowadays it is open all day for customers who wish to take their coffee, drinks or refreshments in a truly unique setting, as well as being available for all types of family and business celebration.

The HOTEL BALNEARIO LA ENCARNACIÓN has a two-star rating.

Address: C/ De la Condesa, 6. 30710 Los Alcázares. Murcia.

Telephone: 968 575007 (Hotel) Restaurant: 968 575048 (Restaurant)