"Booking & Expectations
I’ll be honest, I had some hesitation before booking because the reviews were quite mixed. I’m a Gold member with Meliá, so I’m familiar with the brand, but this was my first time staying at a Paradisus property. I booked a 7-night stay in a Reserve Junior Suite. I tend to focus on luxury holidays and often travel to the Middle East, where five star hotels and service standards are consistently very high, so I came in with certain expectations.
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Location
The hotel is quite remote, so it’s worth planning ahead if you’re not renting a car. Costa Calma is a short drive away, but there’s nothing within walking distance of the resort itself.
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Arrival & Check-in
On arrival, I was taken straight to the Reserve check-in, which is located in the Reserve lounge. The welcome was warm and professional, and the whole process felt smooth and relaxed. As a Reserve guest, you have access to this lounge throughout your stay, which is a nice touch.
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Room & Amenities
The room itself was spacious with a calm, zen feel. The bed and pillows are exceptionally comfortable. I honestly haven’t slept this well in a long time.
The mini bar is restocked daily with a good selection of drinks and a few snacks, which is a nice touch. There is also a coffee machine, along with the usual kettle and tea options, so everything you need is there.
The only downside for me was the bathroom. The bath and shower area in my room felt a bit worn and didn’t quite match the overall standard of the suite. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it did stand out.
I was also slightly disappointed with the balcony. I had seen photos of larger outdoor spaces, but mine was quite small and not particularly usable.
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Noise & Room Location
It’s worth noting that the reviews about the rooms not being fully soundproof are accurate. I was placed near the Lemon Fish restaurant and the elevators, and it could be quite noisy until late in the evening, with staff cleaning up, and then again early in the morning when things started up again.
While this was generally tolerable during most of my stay, my final night was particularly bad. There was a lot of noise, with kitchen staff clanging and cleaning until nearly 1am, which made it difficult to relax and was not a great end to the stay.
If you are a light sleeper, I would strongly recommend requesting a quieter room location.
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Pools & Relaxation
The Reserve pool area is a real highlight. It’s peaceful, well maintained, and heated, so even on cooler days it’s still enjoyable.
I never had any issues finding a Bali bed or sun lounger. I spent most of my time in the garden area, which was perfect for switching off and enjoying some quiet time in the sun.
The pool bar staff deserve a special mention. They are genuinely friendly, attentive, and constantly topping you up with water and offering canapés throughout the day, which really adds to the overall experience.
I didn’t use the main lagoon pool, as it was quite busy with families during the Easter holidays.
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Beach Access
The beach is just a short walk away down some stairs at the back of the hotel. I didn’t venture down much during my stay, so I can’t comment in detail, but it’s there if you want easy access to the sea.
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Food & Dining
There are plenty of food options across breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you will always find something to eat.
Breakfast in The Reserve was excellent. The quality, service, and overall experience there were exactly what you would expect from a five star hotel, and it was a great way to start each day.
Outside of that, I wouldn’t describe the overall dining as true five-star standard, and I do think the quality could be improved. That said, the staff in the restaurants work incredibly hard, and their effort and service do not go unnoticed.
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Service & Guest Experience
Guest Services deserve a mention. They were consistently friendly, proactive, and checking in regularly, which made a difference to the overall experience.
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Solo Travel Perspective
As someone who enjoys solo luxury trips to disconnect and recharge, this hotel delivered on that front. It’s not necessarily a typical solo destination, but The Reserve adds a more social element if you want it, with activities and spaces that make it easy to engage or keep to yourself.
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Would I Return?
Yes, absolutely. I’ve had a genuinely relaxing week.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable break. I can’t quite rate it five stars due to the food and a few of the issues I’ve mentioned, but it has a lot of potential. With some improvements, particularly around dining and certain room details, this could easily reach that level. I"
