gkbrownie
February 3, 2025
We are coming to the end of our stay here. Have to bear in mind we have been here since mid January to the first week of February so what it is like in Winter has to be taken into consideration. The Hotel is much quieter, the Pool too cold, the Ice Cream parlour and the lunchtime truck not open, and the downstair Bar wasn't open until the end of January, everything would look different in a month or two. Reception: Efficient on arrival but really lacked some welcoming personality. Room: We had a Superior Club Room overlooking the Pool and happened to be on the 6th Floor. It was a large room, decent balcony overlooking the Pool, good views of the sea, excellent shower, TV with BBC 1 & 2, ITV and some kids channels, and a kettle. Very clean, and had the sun on it from lunchtime until it went down. Rooms on the other side of the corridor were smaller and only got the sun until lunch. On the downside there was a lack of cupboard space/drawers but you manage. There is an annex to the Hotel and a new part at the front with Jacuzzis, although the new part doesn't get much sun at this time of year. The Rooms have the thinnest walls i have ever known, you can hear snoring next door ! Food Overall very good, Breakfasts are brilliant, some of the evening Buffet not so good. We stayed for 3 weeks so you do fed up of Buffet and we worked out which nights to avoid and eat out. Initially they seemed to have the bare minimum staff in the Restaurant which improved as time moved on, again they are efficient and work hard but never converse with you or smile, the only one that really had any personality was "Jabe" who was excellent, pleasant, chatty, and helpful, we always sat near his area. Location: Excellent, right on the front overlooking the Beach and the longest promenade you have ever seen, short walk to Benalmadena or longer walk to Torremolinos which is a great town to wander round, lots of shops. Transport: Taxis can be a touch expensive but not too bad, the Train station is a 20 minute walk away uphill, Buses are the best solution. Short walk up the street and you can get a Bus either way, Fuengirola, Benalmadena , Mijas one way, or Torremolinos town and Malaga the other way. Go to a Tobacconist and buy a Bus Card (which works on the train as well) its 1.50 Euro for the card and you put money on it eg 10 Euro. Every time you get on the bus you touch the panel next to driver and it knocks off the amount, generally most journeys are 50 cent pp so very cheap. Can be busy but its a cheap way to visit places. Entertainment: An Artist on most nights, mostly a singer, odd nights three tenors or a Michael Jackson tribute. Some of which were excellent, one or two not so. If there is no artist you play Bingo for a massive prize, a half of local beer or soft dinner for the Winner, you would think they could stretch to a Cocktail at least. Overall we had a good Holiday, no Hotel is prefect, bits of this one could have been better but it is rightly rated as a