Guardia Civil, Local Police, the regional police unit attached to the National Police and officials from the Valencian Government have carried out a joint inspection at the three-star Hotel Sole Bello in La Mata, Torrevieja. The visit followed weeks of complaints from neighbours who say the partly occupied building has been associated with theft, snatch robberies and alleged drug dealing.

Officers inspected rooms and several communal areas, including the pool area and other shared spaces, which were reportedly being used as accommodation. Appliances, including televisions of unclear origin, were also found stored in a corridor. Two people were taken away by the regional police unit over concerns about their immigration status.

The hotel, which has 50 rooms and opened in 2000, has not been operating as a normal hotel for months. Although it still holds a three-star licence granted under its last registered ownership in 2018, reception and catering services are not functioning, and some residents are living there under rental-style agreements.

The councillor for Security, Federico Alarcón, has confirmed that tourism inspectors are reviewing whether the establishment’s licence reflects its actual use. The Generalitat is expected to consider withdrawing its hotel authorisation, after which the original owner could seek a resale and begin eviction proceedings where legally possible.