"We recently stayed at the Hotel Best Siroco in Benalmádena as a family and, overall, had a good holiday, although there were a few areas where the experience could have been better.
The hotel’s location is excellent, within easy walking distance of the promenade, restaurants and shops. Access to the beach is straightforward, although it’s worth noting there are quite a few steps and a tunnel under the main road to reach the seafront, which may be something to consider if travelling with very young children or anyone with mobility issues.
Our rooms were very clean throughout the stay, and housekeeping did an excellent job each day. The beds were comfortable, and the air conditioning worked perfectly, which made a huge difference during the heatwave we experienced. The only disappointment was that, despite booking as a family requiring two rooms, they were located a considerable distance apart rather than beside or even close to each other. This wasn’t ideal and did take away from the family experience.
Breakfast offered a good selection each morning and was enjoyable. We stayed on a half-board basis, but unfortunately lunch and dinner became quite repetitive. While the quality of the food was generally good, the choice was limited, and there were several occasions where there wasn’t much that appealed to our family’s tastes. In hindsight, we’d probably choose bed and breakfast next time and enjoy the many excellent restaurants nearby instead.
The staff were a mixed bag. Some were exceptionally friendly, attentive and welcoming, while others appeared less approachable and didn’t seem particularly interested in engaging with guests. The reception team were always pleasant and helpful, although both check-in and check-out were extremely slow, despite us not requiring any additional assistance during our stay.
The pool bar staff were friendly, but the area itself could have been better maintained. Empty glasses, plates and cups often remained on tables for long periods before being cleared. Drink choices were adequate, although premium brands weren’t always available, which was a little disappointing.
The pool area itself was pleasant, but there were simply not enough parasols available for the number of guests. During the exceptionally hot weather we experienced, finding shade could be difficult at times, and additional umbrellas would make a significant difference to guest comfort.
The animation and entertainment team were enthusiastic, but we felt they could have done more to engage with all guests. There appeared to be a noticeable language barrier at times, with many activities seeming to focus primarily on Spanish-speaking families and children. As English-speaking visitors, we often felt left out of the entertainment. There was also plenty of scope for more activities and interaction around the pool during the day, which would have created a more inclusive and lively atmosphere for everyone.
One thing that really surprised us was during the World Cup. On one evening, the bar staff switched the televisions off as soon as the bar reached closing time, even though the match only had a few minutes remaining. It seemed a strange decision and isn’t something we’ve experienced at other holiday hotels.
One aspect that was beyond the hotel’s control, but did affect our experience on occasion, was the behaviour of a small number of fellow holidaymakers. We found some guests to be rather abrupt and discourteous around the pool area, which slightly detracted from an otherwise enjoyable stay.
Overall, we enjoyed our family holiday. The hotel’s greatest strengths are its excellent location, clean and comfortable rooms, and good breakfast. While the food at other meal times, some aspects of the service and the entertainment could be improved, it still offers good value for money. If we returned, we’d definitely opt for bed and breakfast rather than half board and make the most of the fantastic restaurants Benalmádena has to offer."
