Hi,
When completing on a property in Rafal in Feburary this year we stayed in the Hotel Eden Mar, Guardamar, while the hotel is quite basic it is very clean, good food, very friendly and central to the town of Guardamar.
Guardamar is a great place to stay & visit as it is just 20mins drive from many good villages, Rafal has a bus service & near the village of Callosa de Segura with a railway, Orihuela a very old historical town, & Almoraldi very busy. All these villages and many others have plenty of shops and a weekly market, also many Bars, Banks & other businesses where you are able to find all you need for a happy laid back life in Spain.
Just make sure you employ a good Solicitor who will give you the correct service you need, a good way is to ask your Bank Manager to recomend one or someone who has already purchased. mack sure you have a Certificate of Habitation this will ensure you have the services connected.
Good luck on your purchase, there are plenty of good properties out there and this is the right time to BUY.
Regards, Doe Doe.