VIVOOD Landscape Hotel & Spa

VIVOOD Landscape Hotel & Spa in Alicante, Spain, a Michelin Key One-Keys property, consistently receives high praise for its breathtaking setting, innovative design, and tranquil atmosphere, making it a favored destination for those seeking a luxurious escape into nature.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for VIVOOD Landscape Hotel & Spa is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as "exceptional," "amazing," "magical," and a "pure luxury" retreat. It consistently scores high, with a "Wonderful" rating of 9.0 on Booking.com from over 700 reviews and an average of 9.1 from verified couple travelers on Agoda. The sentiment is strongly tied to its ability to provide a peaceful and disconnected experience amidst stunning natural beauty.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud VIVOOD for its unparalleled location and design. The hotel features ultra-modern, glass-walled villas and suites that are seamlessly integrated into the rugged beauty of the Guadalest Valley, offering stunning panoramic mountain and valley views. The privacy and tranquility afforded by the adults-only, detached accommodations are also major draws, allowing guests to feel completely alone with nature. The dining experience is frequently highlighted for its excellence, emphasizing delicious, high-standard, creative cuisine made with local, seasonal ingredients. Finally, the generally attentive and friendly service from the staff is often mentioned as a key factor in making stays special.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at VIVOOD are a significant highlight, described as clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. The minimalist and modern design aesthetic is purposeful, featuring floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that serve as "viewing platforms" to the surrounding Guadalest Valley. Accommodations are typically individual "glass-walled boxes" or independent suites, ensuring maximum privacy. Standard amenities include premium bedding, air conditioning, free WiFi, minibars, flat-screen TVs (some with Netflix or streaming services), electric kettles, and Rituals bath products. Many guests particularly enjoy the added luxury of private terraces, private heated outdoor hot tubs, or even private heated pools in select villas and suites. Some rooms also feature a projector for an enhanced relaxation experience.

4. Dining Experience

VIVOOD boasts two panoramic restaurants, Panorámico and ConTemple, both known for their signature cuisine and stunning valley views. The culinary philosophy is rooted in the "Slow Food" movement, with a strong emphasis on farm-to-table, organic, local, and seasonal ingredients, resulting in Mediterranean and international dishes. Breakfast, often served at the table rather than as a buffet, is consistently praised as exceptionally good, plentiful, varied, and super tasty. The half-board option is frequently recommended for its good value. ConTemple, open to both hotel guests and external visitors, offers three signature tasting experiences that pay tribute to the local landscape. While the food is generally described as excellent, some guests have noted that the selection can be somewhat limited and might become repetitive during longer stays, suggesting a desire for more diverse options.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at VIVOOD generally garners very positive feedback, with guests commending their friendliness, attentiveness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Many appreciate the genuine kindness and effort made to ensure a welcoming experience, with some guests even singling out specific staff members for making their trips special. However, some guests have reported inconsistencies in service, particularly regarding attentiveness, especially at reception when addressing issues with the spa or technical problems in their rooms. There have also been occasional comments about a language barrier with some staff members having poor English skills.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location in the Guadalest Valley, approximately an hour from Alicante, is a primary draw. Guests are consistently captivated by the picturesque, stunning, and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, valley, and reservoir. Its secluded and peaceful setting makes it an ideal destination for disconnecting and finding tranquility. The area is also well-suited for outdoor activities like hiking, with trails leading to the nearby reservoir and opportunities to explore charming towns such as Guadalest and Benimantell. It is important to note that a car is considered essential for visitors due to the hotel's remote location and the lack of local public transport beyond taxis. For environmentally conscious travelers, the presence of electric car charging stations is a welcomed amenity. The hotel is also committed to accessibility, with all common areas and one Double Suite being wheelchair accessible.

7. Value & Pricing

VIVOOD is generally considered to offer strong value, with many guests feeling it's "worth every penny" and provides "exceptional value for money" given its luxurious offerings. Review platforms reflect this sentiment, with a value rating of 9.0 on Agoda and 8.2 on Booking.com and HotelsCombined. While the average room rate is around €303, which is slightly higher than the city's average of €274, guests often feel the unique experience justifies the cost. Prices can start from approximately £163.99 per night, with the lowest deals typically found in November and March. The half-board package is specifically highlighted as being very good value. However, a recurring point of contention regarding value is the spa, with several guests finding the services and access fees (e.g., nearly €100 for sauna and hammam use) to be overpriced or not adequately included in the room rate, leading to disappointment.

8. Common Complaints

The most frequent and notable complaint among guests revolves around the spa experience. Many express significant disappointment with the high cost of accessing facilities like the sauna and hammam, which often aren't included in the room rate and are poorly communicated. Some spa treatments have also been described as overpriced, inconsistent, or poorly executed. Limited access to the heated indoor pool for guests not booking treatments is another recurring criticism. Beyond the spa, some service issues have been reported, including occasional staff inattentiveness, dismissive responses from reception when addressing problems, and a perceived lack of effort to rectify issues. A few guests have also suggested that the dining options could benefit from more variety, finding the menu somewhat limited or repetitive for longer stays. Minor criticisms also include some imperfections in room finishes (paint, furniture) and infrequent technical issues that were not promptly resolved. Some guests have also wished for an earlier check-in time and extended spa pool hours. Lastly, the absence of a dedicated gym facility was noted by at least one guest.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. voyage-prive.co.uk
3. booking.com
4. thewanderluxe.co.uk
5. booking.com
6. agoda.com
7. vivood.com
8. tablethotels.com
9. michelin.com
10. mrandmrssmith.com
11. customer-alliance.com
12. booking.com
13. vivood.com
14. hotels.com
15. expedia.com
16. hotels.com
17. hotels.com
18. centraldereservas.com
19. expedia.co.uk
20. hotelscombined.com
21. vivood.com
22. kayak.co.uk
23. trip.com
24. agoda.com
25. momondo.com