"4 adults (25 - 62) and one child (4yo) during UK Autumn half term - cost just over double compared to the previous week (£4889 - Jet2)
Around 40 minute transfer time.
This hotel has the immediate "wow factor". You walk in to a seemingly indoor rainforest. There are sections of the hotel with beautiful turtles and birds, worth a look.
Mix of nationalities staying at the hotel. Everyone welcomed and catered for beautifully.
Check in:
There is a 25E charge, per person, upon arrival. They issue the refund when you check-out (which takes a few days to clear). When asked what the charge was for, they said it was for the wristband. Didn't make sense to me, but hey-ho.
The hotel attempts to be eco friendly, so does not issue anything paper based to inform you of any facilities, or your stay week's events. They suggest you scan the QR code on the desk, which details this, but that only tells you of the general features of the hotel.
Breakfast:
On floor -1 and opens at 8am - lots of variety. I recommend getting there early and sitting on the outdoor, sea view tables. Smug vibes!
Lunch:
Poolside food available from lunch time throughout the day: burgers, hotdogs, chips, salad, biscuits, ice-creams.
More formal food is on floor -1, 1pm - 3pm. Pastas, meats, salads, deserts etc a huge variety.
Evening food:
Floor -1 and opens at 7pm. They have a different country theme each evening, along with usual running of rice, pastas, salads, meats, cheeses etc. Puddings galore.
Food rating overall is "good". So much variety, however, everything is lukewarm/cold. Did not have one hot meal.
The food venue (floor -1) is massive and resembles an indoor forest. Gentle music playing and plenty of space. Can get a bit crazy busy at times, but well managed by staff.
Drinks:
Slushies cost initial 4.60E for a bottle that you refill during the week.
We are alcohol free and there were plenty of soft drink options, plus Cruz Campo zero lager. very nice!
Milkshakes also available at the poolside bar.
Can get crazy queues, prepare to wait.
Pools:
The hotel itself has 1 main pool, which can get silly busy.
There are daily games and bingo poolside.
There is also a small child/toddler pool, bubble pool and play area (not sign posted) which is situated around to the left of the hotel, access via stairs/ramp via the main pool.
You can also use the pools at the other hotels. We used the Beach Club ones.
Beach Club Pools:
Brilliant! What a spot too, plenty of room to place a lounger with a fab sea view.
Splash pads for the little ones with a shallow pool. Other more grown up areas are there too: lazy river, wave pool, slide, swim cave.
Access to Beach Club:
Shuttle bus runs every 10 mins to and from each hotel. Can get a bit hectic. Walkable though, but not ideal with inflatables, all your stuff and a child.
Beach Club food:
Ceased. No food available there due to "end of season on Saturday", despite it being the week leading up to Saturday. Eventually there were no milkshakes, slushies and even some soft drinks were out. No party pool time either, due to it all shutting down. Disappointing, as I feel it should all be available if open. Therefor, could not stay there all day, had to shuttle up to the hotel for lunch, which was a drag as everyone herded there and back at the same times.
Spa:
You will be given a free 1 hour session in the spa (including children). There is no catch. Use it.
Kids club:
The kids club is free for all inclusive children. Very well looked after area with windows you can keep an eye on your child. Secure. Activities throughout the day, but not openly advertised.
Mini disco:
9pm at the piano bar for little ones. Some staff were much better than others at engaging the kids attentions.
Evening entertainment:
Not great. Solo singers start in piano bar at 8:30pm for half an hour.
If there's an event on, be prepared to use your crystal ball as you are told to look at the board at reception to see what's on during the week, but it doesn't provide time or location. I saw many families walking around aimlessly looking for where the Flamenco was. Everyone was sat in the Piano Bar waiting, but it was in another area called the "Salon". No posters or help to guide you. Then a frantic exit to get to the other location.
Hotel Location:
This hotel complex sits in-between Benalmadena and Fuengirola. It is not advisable to walk to Benal, it is too far! Fueng is walkable, but a trek nevertheless. Therefor, there is no easy-to-get-to high street, shops, or sea front walk. Taxi to Benal was 15E for 2 passengers. Taxi to Feung shopping mall was 30E for 5 passengers (had to use Uber, as there were no 7 seaters for the taxi company the hotel use).
The only shop in the vicinity is the one inside the hotel which charges way more that it should. EG, sunhat was 25E in the hotel shop- I got the same one at Benal for 5.70E
There is a mini/crazy golf course around to the left of the hotel. Not signposted. Ask for the clubs and balls at reception (be prepared to act out what you are asking for, as "golf clubs" are clearly not something the staff hear often. I was pointed in the direction of the "beach club" QR code, to which a reinactment of a golf swing and broken English G.O.L.F C.L.U.B seemed to do the trick.
Complex is secure with no external vendors entering to harass.
Birds fly into the restaurant, so be prepared for those guests.
Ants everywhere, but not an issue.
No roaches.
No stray cats.
Trips:
Benalmadena - tired looking and many closed shops/venues.
Fuengirola Mall - great shops and eateries. Even has a Primark, haha.
Stupa - views worth the trip but not much to write about the Stupa itself.
Butterfly Farm - right opposite the Stupa. Interesting place.
Fuengirola promenade - nice walk and beach. Not many shops, but many eateries. Haagen Daaz parlour was ace!
Room:
202.
If you like a sunrise, request this room, or one in the above floors. Felt like it was just for me, could not have been more central for the most perfect sunrises.
Room was in great condition, no cracked tiles or tired looking sealant. Hot shower! Has a fridge and kitchen area, if needed. Great!
Staff:
Most can speak little English, barrier can be awkward at times, but always met with a genuine smile. Never a huff or attitude. Lovely staff in all areas.
Halloween:
Decorations were put out and staff dressed up. Kids club did face painting. Kids mini disco was not on though (not notified) as there was a Halloween Show at 10:00 (way too late for little ones), so our child was very disappointed when realised the disco was not on. We also had no idea there would be anything Halloween going on, so did not bring an outfit, so many people went all out, we felt very underprepared!
Overall:
Great little holiday!
Communication is zero when it comes to what's what there. It's a case of finding out as you go along.
Considering it's a "family" place, things are on quite late. Evening meals start at 7pm, kids disco at 9pm, shows at 10pm. Too late IMO.
Very annoying that things were closed, despite families paying so much more to stay during the school holidays. "End of season" should begin at the end of the weekend.
I hope I have helped."
