"This was not our first stay in this hotel. I’d booked our rooms ten months before our trip and specifically requested the same rooms as our previous trip. A few months before we arrived I again reiterated our request and at that point I was told we’d have to upgrade. Bear in mind that on our first visit we never upgraded we were simply given the rooms.
So we upgraded, paid more and again reiterated that we weren’t fussed about the room number we just wanted a sunny terrace with sunbeds and we were told they would accommodate us as best they could.
We did need to alter our dates nearer the time (costing more). A few days prior to arrival I emailed to again confirm my room request. I didn’t receive a response which in itself was poor.
Upon arrival we were shown a dark room at the back of beyond with a postage stamp balcony obscured view and two chairs that barely fitted. This was meant to be a junior suite by the way and the beds were twin, we are a married couple. Obviously we complained but for over an hour and were told that there was nowhere else for us but that our request would be honoured the next day and we could have a free dinner on the house to make up for it. Note it was not peak season.
We were unhappy as we were only there for a week and nobody wants extra upheaval on day one after travelling the whole day previous. Dinner was also pretty basic by the way, hardly a sweetener.
The next day as requested we went to reception after breakfast and we were told we couldn’t have the room we wanted without paying 300 euros as we had only upgraded to a garden room. Well, no rooms overlook anything but a garden as far as we could see as the sea is quite a way from the hotel. 15 minutes walk and despite my numerous requests this was never pointed out. Eventually the incredibly brusque and surly receptionist gave us a nicer room without the terrace we wanted but at least the room wasn’t dark and had a better size outside space.
That day we took ourselves to the pool, got comfortable and then Workmen started using a pneumatic drill directly behind us to repaid some damage. The sound was deafening and as most people go to a pool to relax, it was far from relaxing. Why not place a sign warning people of the noise and redirect them? Or corner off the area? When we asked them to stop they said it would take an hour. The pool attendant Borja just shrugged and said there was nothing he could do so my husband trudged to reception who said they’d stop it. Needless to say the workmen didn’t stop so my husband went back to reception and the receptionist Sylvia Zamora came down and was unbelievably rude and unhelpful insisting the work had to be carried out despite the fact that the weather was due to cloud up later and us suggesting they wait until then to carry repairs out.
So we had to move. Not what you’d expect from a 5 star hotel.
The weather wasn’t great and while that is not the hotel’s fault, they closed the pool restaurant and bar for days as a result but it was still warm enough to sit by the pool. So we couldn’t order food or drink in 72 degrees of heat for days because of this. Not ideal as the other bar is a good five minute trek upstairs.
On the plus side, room was decent and spacious. Housekeeping excellent.
Having stayed at many Melia hotels (Gran palacio, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona) thus completely ruined our Melia experience and wouldn’t want to repeat it. The reception staff are beyond unpleasant when really they should bend over backwards. Oh and the room we wanted remained empty throughout the duration of our stay despite them admitting they were at fault for not communicating properly and misguiding us.
Breakfast was average. The choice was the same every day which gets boring. Lack of dried fruit and bananas very brown. Two yoghurt choices (strawberry or natural) little yoghurt pots that were sloppy. Terrible coffee.
Bar food sandwiches were awful. Soggy bread and overcooked (possibly microwaved) filling.
The grounds were nicer than we remembered but the overall experience not as good as a few years ago. A shame. Not a 5 star, more a 4 star."
