"Just returned from here. Stayed one week half board on a last-minute bargain price holiday with Tui and it was worth every penny.
The room was lovely and modern and spotlessly clean. It was chilly at night and we found the heating/aircon unit fabulous for keeping us at the right temperature. We had fresh towels every day and the bedding was changed during our stay. TV was a bonus as it had several English channels. Unfortunately, the lobbies leading to the rooms from the stairs and lifts were not very nice - threadbare, stained carpet made it feel like a hostel. Such a shame as the rooms are lovely.
Food was nice with plenty of choice, but the hot food was just about lukewarm, which I really do not like. It's such a shame as breakfast and dinner were good (especially the deserts!) but just not warm enough. We always got a seat but were out of season. I imagine the size of the dining room is large enough to accomodate busier times but it must get very noisy.
We didn't stay at the hotel for the evening entertainment, but saw that there was always something on and it was a nice room/stage set up. There was also a big TV lounge showing the football matches.
I felt like the main pool area really lets the aesthetics of this hotel down. The pool itself is lovely, but the sunbeds are very, very old and dirty (some were broken) and set in a fixed position so very uncomfortable. The mutli colours against the sickly yellow floor is just horrible. Also, the coir umbrellas were all falling apart and very unsightly. We hardly spent any time at the pool and much preferred the comfy sunbeds on the beach (although we did of course have to pay for those).
The surrounding areas were really nice (once you got down the hill!). Lots of pubs, bars and restaurants handy. The beach and promenade was wonderful to walk up and down and the marina stunning (also the place to go for nightlife and nice shops).
We went to Benalmedena Pueblo (Old Town) on the bus for one euro 60 and it was so worth it - absolutely beaustiful place with lots to see and some wonderful restaurants. We also went to Malaga for one euro 75 on the bus and had a wonderful day. We visited the cathedral and the bullring whilst we were there. The little stalls on the harbour are also good for a look around.
On a cloudy day we spent a couple of hours in the nearby Sea Life centre and were surprised how good it was - great for the kids!
All in all we enjoyed our stay in Benalmedena and the Hotel Bali. If the pool area, room walkways and lukewarm food get sorted it would definitely have received 5 stars."
