Hotel Huerto del Cura

Hotel Huerto del Cura sits inside Elche's palm grove, next to the famous garden it's named after, and its restaurants are worth knowing about even if you're not staying the night. The main restaurant, Els Capellans, does modern Mediterranean cooking in a dining room that looks straight out onto the palms. For something easier, Veranda is the poolside garden bar with signature cocktails and a shorter menu, and Café Leopoldo is the hotel's livelier café space. Veranda has live music on Fridays, and in July and August there are acoustic nights by the pool, plus occasional tastings like cheese evenings with a local deli. Els Capellans also hosts group and Christmas company dinners. The hotel doesn't list restaurant hours online, so ring ahead to book a table, especially for dinner among the palms.