The Gardenias apartments in Alcossebre are in the upper, greener part of the town, the Marcolina development, right on the edge of the Sierra de Irta. It is an apartment residence with sea views and a shared pool, where different agencies and owners rent out homes by the season. The name "Gardenias 3000" comes from the operator that markets it on most portals, Apartamentos 3000.
This page is informative and independent: Casa Azahar does not manage apartments at Las Gardenias or offer bookings there. At the end we suggest Casa Azahar alternatives in the same area.
Where the Las Gardenias apartments in Alcocéber are
Las Gardenias is in the Marcolina development, in the Irta and Ribamar area, north of Las Fuentes and the marina. It is the same development where the Marcomar apartments are, which Casa Azahar places about 1.3 km from Las Fuentes. Guests highlight the quiet, the sea views and the closeness to the beach and the natural park.
Nearby beaches and coast:
- Las Fuentes beach (Les Fonts): about 400 metres of fine sand, with lifeguards, a children's area and freshwater springs in the sand. It is the nearest urban beach with services.
- Cala Blanca, next to the Alcossebre lighthouse: a small cove of fine sand and pebbles, the starting point of the park's routes.
- Cala Mundina and Cala Ribamar: coves of sand and pebbles whose access is rated difficult by the official tourism website.
Advantages of the area: silence, views, pine woods and trails that start a few minutes away; it is the natural starting point for getting to know the Sierra de Irta. Drawbacks: the centre and Cargador beach are too far to walk to every day, the coves have no lifeguards or services, and for shopping and dinners you would normally use the car.
What the Las Gardenias residence is like
Las Gardenias is an apartment residence with sea views and a shared pool that, according to reviews, opens only in high season. The homes belong to different owners and their condition varies: some guests talk about renovated units with furniture in good condition, and others about apartments with worn beds, mattresses and sofa beds.
Facilities mentioned on the portals and in reviews:
- Shared pool (high season).
- Sea views from some of the homes.
- Service at a reception desk, where keys are collected.
Private parking, a lift and air conditioning are not mentioned; in fact, the lack of air conditioning appears among the complaints.
What guests say about Las Gardenias
7.3/10 weighted average across booking sites · 117 reviews
| Website | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| 3.7/5 | 112 | |
| Booking.com | 8.0/10 | 1 |
| Atrápalo | 1.6/10 | 1 |
| Central de Reservas | 4.9/10 | 3 |
Public scores from each website, checked on octubre de 2026. They may have changed; see the source for the current score.
The scores for Las Gardenias are very mixed depending on the portal, and it is worth understanding why:
- Google (3.7/5, 112 reviews) is the listing with the most volume, titled "Apartamentos Gardenias 3000". It collects the experience of many guests of the main operator over the years and is the most reliable reference for the whole.
- Booking (8.0/10, 1 comment) is not a listing for the residence, but for one specific Albert Villas unit, with a single comment. It describes that home, not the others.
- Atrápalo (1.6/10) and Central de Reservas (4.9/10) have very few reviews, 1 and 3, and they are negative. On Central de Reservas every sub-score is below 6.
The TripAdvisor listing has no reviews and there is no Expedia listing. In short: the 7.3 average mixes one well-rated unit with a more modest general perception of the residence.
What guests like most:
- The quiet area, next to the Serra d'Irta Natural Park.
- The sea views and the closeness to the beach.
- The friendly service at reception.
- The furniture in good condition in some renovated units.
What some guests repeatedly point out:
- Mattresses, small beds, pillows and sofa beds in poor condition.
- Collecting keys at the reception of another establishment, far away and with waits.
- The lack of air conditioning.
- The presence of ants and noise from neighbours.
- The shared pool, open only in high season.
- The handling of the deposit.
The guest profile is Spanish couples and families, with the odd Belgian visitor.
Our assessment
Strengths
- A natural, quiet setting at the gates of the Sierra de Irta.
- Sea views from some of the homes.
- A good base for hiking and cycling along the park's coast.
Points to bear in mind
- According to reviews, the condition of the homes varies from one to another, especially the beds and mattresses.
- Guests miss air conditioning, something to consider in July and August.
- Keys are collected at another establishment, away from the residence.
- The centre is too far to walk to every day.
Who is it ideal for? For couples and active travellers who come to walk or cycle in the Sierra de Irta and want silence and views, preferably outside the hottest months. For families with small children who want a beach with services and everything within walking distance, other areas suit better.
Tips if you are going to rent at Las Gardenias
- Ask for information on the specific unit. Recent photos of the bedroom and the sofa bed, and whether the home has been renovated.
- Ask about climate control. If you are travelling in summer, confirm whether there is air conditioning or at least fans.
- Clarify the key handover. Where they are collected, at what time and how long it takes to get from there to the residence.
- Check the deposit conditions before paying and when handing back the keys.
- Pool. If you are travelling outside July and August, check whether it will be open.
When to go to Las Gardenias
Alcossebre has a mild Mediterranean climate: according to AEMET norms for the Castelló-Almassora station, the average is around 24.5 °C in summer, with maximums of 29-30 °C, about 16 °C in spring and about 19 °C in autumn, and it gets more than 2,700 hours of sun a year. The sea is about 25 °C in the height of summer.
For this residence, the time of year matters more than for others. In July and August the pool is open, but reviews warn of the lack of air conditioning, and the heat is noticeable. In spring and autumn the area looks its best: mild temperatures, a green Sierra de Irta and walking and cycling routes at their best, although the pool, according to guests, opens only in high season. June and September are a good balance: warm water, fewer people in the coves and cooler nights. Bear in mind that in summer driving onto the park's coast requires a prior booking; always check the current rules on the park's website.
Around the residence and things to do
- Serra d'Irta Natural Park, declared in 2002: about 7,743 hectares and some 12 km of unspoilt coastline as far as Peñíscola, with dwarf palm, pine woods and watchtowers.
- Route 2 on foot (Faro d'Irta - Cala Cubanita - Font de la Parra): 12.8 km, easy, from Cala Blanca.
- Ruta del Cranc by mountain bike: 13.2 km, easy, along the Ribamar coastal track to Cala del Volante and Peñíscola.
- Santa Llúcia i Sant Benet hermitage, at 312 metres above sea level, with a short route from the Montemar development.
- Las Fuentes marina, with sailing, kayaking and diving trips to the Columbretes Islands.
In summer, driving onto the park's coast requires booking a space in the GVA Parcs Naturals app; on foot or by bike it is not needed.
How to get to Las Gardenias
- By car: AP-7, exit 44 (Alcossebre-Torreblanca), or N-340 and then the CV-142 to Alcossebre. In the town, follow signs to Las Fuentes and the lighthouse, and then to the Marcolina development.
- By train: Alcalà de Xivert station, about 10 km away.
- By plane: Castellón, about 22 km (about 25 min); Valencia, about 123 km (approx. 1 h 30 min).
More details in the guide to how to drive to Alcocéber.
In summary
In a few words: Las Gardenias is a sea-view residence at the gates of the Sierra de Irta, with a very attractive natural setting and uneven reviews about the condition of the homes. If you decide to go ahead, choose the unit carefully, ask about climate control and clarify the key handover and the deposit.
Casa Azahar alternatives near Las Gardenias
If the Sierra de Irta area appeals to you and you prefer Casa Azahar's local management:
- Marcomar Apartments: in the same Marcolina development, at the foot of the Sierra de Irta, with an adult pool and a children's pool and apartments of one to three bedrooms.
- Madeira Apartments: in Las Fuentes, about 6 minutes from the beach, with sea views, a shared pool and free parking, close to the coves and the lighthouse.
- Fuente Sol Apartments: in Las Fuentes, near the marina, with a seasonal pool, a tennis court and ping-pong.
In the Las Fuentes area you will also find the pages for Las Villas de Las Fuentes and Irtamar, and all the others in the Alcocéber complex directory.