Melia Isla Canela

We returned yesterday from this fabulous hotel and are missing it already. The hotel is beautiful, spotlessly clean and the refurbishment has really made improvements. We were standard customers (not level) and found the service excellent. Food is plentiful, well presented and offers a great choice. The staff in all areas are amazing and so helpful. It is a quiet area but well positioned for access to the working harbour, beach and promenade. It’s a beautiful authentic Spanish resort and the local people make you feel very welcome and even try to help you improve your Spanish. The hotels strength is truly the staff who cannot do enough for you. We are already looking at when we can return.

Fabulous location. Pleasing looking hotel. Decor and layout excellent. Warm welcome on reception, just slightly slow check in process. We were all inclusive and found the food to be first class. Plenty of choice at all mealtimes, well presented and well cooked (difficult for even the pickiest person not to find something they like). The included wine was very good, best we have had on all inclusive. Actually served from a bottle not a box or tap. Staff in all departments were friendly, approachable and all spoke some English. Not a lot open in the area when we arrived but starting to open up over the May Day bank holiday. Nice room with large shower. The only downside was the hanging space, Not deep enough to hang dresses (so used the standard lamp frame instead, it worked a treat!). Also the hinged trouser hangers meant that trousers trailed on the foor. Again not deep enough to hang trousers. Need to replace with hangers with crossbars. The hotel is very clean all round. We were hit with the Spain/Portugal power outage. The Management and staff coped admirably with the situation. Apart from no power in our rooms for approximately 19 hours which we coped with. We were not inconvenienced at all. Thank you to all staff. We don't usually bother with the evening entertainment in hotels. However, as it was on slightly earlier (9 - 9.30 pm), we decided to watch it this time. All very good and enjoyable. We highly recommend the short boat trip (with wine & prawns) from the marina around to Isla Christina. Very interesting and good commentary.

We stayed at Melia Isla Canela, for 1 week from 24th April - 1st May. Firstly we were very lucky with the weather as it was lovely and hot every day. We had a The Level Suite, which was lovely, beautiful sea View, super comfy bed, lovely pillows, fantastic hot rainfall shower, spotlessly clean. Coffee machine and Kettle, tea/coffee/sugar. Fridge. The place was tranquil, which is what I had read and that was perfect for me. Why some people write negativity about this is beyond me, as it clearly states it is a laid back quiet place. To have an Adult only area, with no thumping music around the pool was heaven. The people looking for the noise, music around the pool, then go to Benidorm! To be able to chill in the sun read a book and totally relax is so lovely, rarely have I found such a peaceful environment. My life is very hectic and this was just what I needed. The beach is also very quiet but very beautiful and a nice quiet stroll down to it. There is a long promenade running alongside the hotel and a very enjoyable walk. The hotel is beautiful to look at, very stylish. There is an estuary next to the hotel and it is nice to watch the boats drift up and down. I enjoyed watching the fishing boats going out in the evening. There is a harbour close by and some restaurants nearby too, we did not try the restaurants as we ate at the hotel. We were half board and with The Level we had access to a lounge area serving snacks, which was fine for as kept us tied over till evening meal. We had breakfast in The Level lounge, there was a menu to choose from, and there was a selection on display. The Breakfast was very nice, we had breakfast in the main buffet also this was also very nice. The weekend was a bit hectic in the dining room, as many locals where in dining room and we had got used to it being peaceful with plenty of tables. I think the food could do with being kept warmer as the hotplates do not feel very warm. However there is a microwave which is very handy. There was plenty of choice 0f food, I’m sure would meet everyone’s taste I had not realised that drinks were not included with an evening meal, not even a glass of water or coffee. However there are drinks juices and coffee with breakfast. The bedroom was very peaceful at night could not hear anything, perfect. We attended the nightly entertainment and this was very nice. We had the power cut whilst there and we had not realised to begin with as to busy chilling on a sun lounger. The hotel had its own generator so most communal areas had electric, however no electric or WI-FI in rooms. Reception charged our phones for us and we had to use them as torches. The electric came on 7am just in time for morning coffee. We will definitely go back, so if you want a peaceful relaxing holiday in a very Spanish hotel and area, this is the place for you. If you want lots of music, noise, activities, this probably is not for you.

Food was amazing and staff friendly. Adults only pool area is nice. Don’t get the Level. As in I don’t understand it tbh. Getting a pool side drink can be a challenge and cocktails are hopeless. The beach is a bit of a walk but worth it and beautiful. Having to pay extra for the beach loungers is dull though. Hiring bikes was great fun as it meant you could go further along the trip which is really nice. The local town is worth the effort - pretty and friendly. We got the bus and taxi back. A nice stay and I would return.

Beautiful Hotel. Outstanding Cleaning staff. Location is great with a nice little walk to the harbour. Rooms was very nice. But i did ask more than once for help with the safe. It had locked open and no one would come to help so for the week not able to use it. I have to admit this is the 1st time i have stayed all-incl yet had to go daily to the bar for a small bottle off water to make a drink in the room. Not great with cutting down on plastic. Should have bottle water IN the rooms daily. No i do not think value for money to be honest. The food was a disgrace and no wonder you need a microwave in the dinning room so people can warm the so called cooked food up. Also i found it strange that you had to pay for sunbeds on the beach (i had thought that was be in the price) But anyhow they seem to please themself what they charge 8 euro for some why others 12. And on day of leaving i went to buy a dinner for my daughter on which i was told it would cost 28 euros each. Lol No thanks. Food was defo not upto standared and lets the place down. Pools nice. Would i return ? sadly not. Well not unless it was inproved a great deal.

We've been to this hotel on several occasions and it really is lovely, right on the fantastic beach. The only downside were some of the waiters in the bar, it would be nice to have a smile when serving drinks, they seem to be miserable.. Went in June and also just got back from a week in Turkey, such a difference in attitude. So from now on our holiday destination will be Turkey.