Hostel vs Hotel — What's the Difference?
9th September 2024
Wondering about the difference between hostels and hotels? Learn how they compare in price, services, and experience. Find out which is the best fit for your next trip!
Published on 13th May 2024
If you follow us on Instagram you may already know that we have added two new locations to Safestay hostels & hotels portfolio just in time for Summer
First, we’ve got Safestay Calpe Seafront, located on Spain’s Costa Blanca marking a huge milestone for Safestay hostels & hotels as it’s our first management contract.
Next is Safestay Cordoba Mezquita Catedral our 19th property in the Safestay portfolio and our fifth hostel in Spain.
Both properties were added to our website a while ago, but today we can finally let the cat out of the bag and tell you that bookings are now officially open for both properties from July!
That’s right, barely a month after the initial announcement both Safestay Calpe and Safestay Cordoba are opening their doors for you this Summer!
It may come as a shock how we managed to do this, but it was a walk in the park knowing how much YOU would love the opportunity to spend your Summer in Spain with Safestay 🙂
Read along to learn more about both Calpe and Cordoba, where to go and what to see, along with some facts to know before you go!
Located in the Alicante province of the Valencia region in Spain, Calpe or Calp in Valencian is a coastal town attracting thousands of visitors every year for its breathtaking scenery, sandy beaches and exciting nightlife.
Coming from a rich history that dates back to Roman times, archaeological sites like the Banys de la Reina (Queen’s Baths) and the remains of a Roman villa are popular destinations for tourists. However, it’s mostly famous for Penyal d’Ifac – a natural park in Calpe which most people refer to as Calpe rock.
Photo credits: Picasa
This natural landmark is a protected nature reserve and offers stunning views of the surrounding area from its summit. Find Safestay Calpe Seafront a short 15–minute walk away from the popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts. This brings us to our next point – Calpe is a great destination for hikers and divers.
Grab your travel water bottles and climb the Morro de Toix to get the best panoramic view from all the way from Benidorm along the coast to Calpe and beyond. For divers, we recommend getting in touch with tour organisers in the city or exploring Salines de Calp just 20 meters away from the hostel.
For lovers of architecture, there’s Muralla Roja – a bold, postmodern apartment complex with a maze of staircases, platforms and bridges, all painted in vibrant shades of red, pink, and blue.
It comes as no surprise to learn that you will feast your eyes on the best and freshest fish you’ve ever had – The town has a traditional fishing port where visitors can watch fishermen bring in their catch and sample fresh seafood at local restaurants.
Calpe is easily accessible by road, roughly an hour’s drive from either Benidorm or Valencia. The nearest major airport is Alicante–Elche Airport, which is about an hour’s drive away. There are also regular bus services connecting Calpe to neighbouring towns and cities.
Overall, Calpe offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, history, and leisure activities, making it an ideal destination for a relaxing coastal getaway.
Cordoba is a historic city located in the Andalusia region of southern Spain and is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant atmosphere.
Cordoba has a rich and complex history dating back to ancient times. It was founded by the Romans and later became a flourishing centre of Islamic culture and learning during the medieval period. The city was once the capital of the Islamic caliphate in Al-Andalus and was renowned for its intellectual achievements in science, medicine, and philosophy.
After the Christian reconquest, Cordoba retained much of its Islamic heritage while also embracing Christian influence, resulting in a unique cultural fusion that is evident in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions.
The Mezquita– Catedral is an architectural marvel blending Islamic and Christian influences only a short 10-minute walk from the newest addition to our portfolio Safestay Cordoba Mezquita Catedral. But the rich heritage of Cordoba goes deeper than the Cathedral – Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos, the Jewish Quarter, and numerous museums are here to whisk you on a journey through centuries.
Photo credits: Martin Mergili
The city is a favourite among lovers of history, architecture and surprisingly cute flowery courtyards. The Courtyards Festival of Cordoba is usually held in May when all flowers bloom and participants showcase some of the most magnificent patios one cannot even imagine existing.
The city has a high-speed train station (AVE) with connections to major cities like Madrid, Seville, and Barcelona. The nearest airport is Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) where journey time is under 2 hours by bus or car.
Whether you’re exploring its ancient streets, marvelling at its architectural wonders, or savouring its culinary delights, Cordoba promises an unforgettable experience.
We went into 2024 with big ambitions and even larger results, which are already coming to fruition. This news is not the beginning of what we have in store for you, but certainly an important chapter in the big book of Safestay hostels & hotels.
We are already working on the most amazing hot sizzlin’ Spanish holiday plans for you so keep an eye out for updates via our Instagram or sign up to our FREE membership to be the first to know. Trust us when we say this – it’s the best thing to happen to travel since Google Maps.