Recesses (7)
I believe the answer is:
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">recesses</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(alcove is a kind of recess)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for alcoves that I've seen before include "set-back areas" , "shady places" , "Small recesses in a larger room" .)