The developers of the Hotel Areca in Torrellano have set a date for their new hotel establishment in Elche Business Park, next to the Imed hospital. The Governing Board has issued the environmental and construction license, and work is expected to begin in September, after the holidays. The project, with a two-year execution period, involves an investment of 5 million euros and the creation of approximately fifty jobs. This will be the third hotel in this business area.
The promoting company is Iris Vitelco SL, which also manages Finca Santa Bárbara in Jubalcoi and has interests in the nursery sector with Viveros Iris. The new hotel will be built on a 5,000 square meter plot at the intersection of Marie Curie and Galileo Galilei streets. It will feature meeting rooms, a restaurant, a cafeteria, and 120 parking spaces (underground and surface). The design is by architect Fernando García, and the commercial name has not yet been disclosed.
The building will have a basement, ground floor, and two upper floors. The basement will house the parking and a spa with a pool and patio. The ground floor will accommodate the restaurant, cafeteria, and lounges with a large terrace, as well as some rooms. The majority of the 98 planned rooms will be standard, but there will also be junior suites and small apartments with dining areas and kitchens.
Laura López Bru, the hotel's manager, highlighted the enthusiasm invested in the project and the confidence in Elche's potential as a tourist and business destination. She emphasized that, thanks to the family's origin in the nursery sector, the new hotel will feature "large garden areas" to create a relaxing space and "an oasis" for guests, serving as a "gateway" to the city.
López Bru also pointed out the possibility of a commercial agreement with the Imed hospital, as they already receive clients from this healthcare center. A mixed client profile is expected, similar to that of Hotel Areca, including business travelers, holidaymakers, and airport users. The hospital and the airport are considered important potential clients.
Mayor Pablo Ruz positively assessed the initiative, highlighting Elche's need for more quality hotel rooms. He believes the new establishment will be a "revitalizing force" for the Business Park, located next to a reference hospital and close to the beaches. He recalled the current hotel occupancy rate of 84% as an "unquestionable" figure for tour operators.
Deputy Mayor Francisco Soler emphasized the "confidence in Elche" demonstrated by this investment, which adds to other expansion projects in the Business Park. He encouraged the continuation of similar initiatives, assuring the "maximum disposition" of the City Council.
The mayor announced that, in addition to this project, there are four other hotel initiatives in the municipal pipeline (three hotels and one campsite). Tourism Councilor Irene Ruiz indicated that the year is expected to close with nearly 1,900 hotel rooms, including the Hampton by Hilton in L'Altet and the new hotel on Solars street. She also recalled other accommodation options such as La Marina Resort (over 2,000 places) and tourist apartments (850, with around 4,000 places).
The hotel occupancy rate for 2026 is already around 83-84%, with expectations of a "technical full house" during the August festivities.
