I am in Alacant / Alicante rather frequently for business reasons and, after having stayed once in a downtown hotel, in a room without window and no good parking options nearby, I chose the Hotel Castilla in Platja de Sant Joan and returned there twice in 2003. It's a good choice because rooms are correct and spacious, prices very attractive (at least in the off-season, when I use to go there), there is plenty of parking space around and connections to downtown Alacant / Alicante are good (10 min by car; public transport with buses and tramway every 15 min). The area is not that nice (high apartment blocks for holiday-makers) but the area is busy even during the winter, and there are many restaurants nearby which open all year. Beaches are just 100 metres away, and staff uses to be correct (some people are very nice!).