Cortijo Blanco Hotel

5 readers found this review helpful

Having read a few negative reviews we were slightly wary of what expect. On the day we arrived we were puzzled to see police cars & ambulance in the car park at reception they told us a gent (lone traveller) had collapsed & died so I would say it wasn't an easy day for the staff despite this we were made welcome checked in promptly. Our room was clean and very traditional looking but had no air-con and was located on ground floor with terrace facing onto poolside and area where evening entertainment took place so it would have been too noisy/insecure to sleep with window open so we returned to reception to request a change. It was no trouble to accommodate my request this new room was in a quieter area but had dodgy door locks so was rejected by us. On return to reception the staff were pleasant but told us to come in after breakfast next day as they had nothing else available til then, we had only just returned from breakfast to our poolside room when a member of staff was there offering to show us to the alternative room which was slightly larger and had air-con, our maid was a lovely lady who seemed to take great pride in her work. She didn't speak English but always had had a friendly greeting for us and was happy to help me learn some Spanish. All rooms at the front of hotel seem to have very small balconies so if that’s where you like to sit ask for newer part at rear of complex. I am a fussy eater but found something nice for most meals which for me is unusual when we go A/I. There is water & red/white wine on tap in restaurant areas if you need anything else to drink this can be brought from pool bar.
Varies other eateries nearby but we never used them.
There are other shops & a supermarket close to hotel and lots more in San Pedro town which is a short walk up a very steep hill or a longer less steep walk
A car would be recommended for a stay here, although the busy road was a challenge best to go round back of shops and come out to main road further down. The bus stop to Puerto Banus & Marbella is just a few yard on the right of hotel exit buses were cheap and best way to go to Saturday market in Puerto Banus as parking a bit of a problem.
Ronda was lovely and the trip up was not as scary as I expected, while the road going there is very steep it is new and not as narrow and winding as I expected, take time to stop and enjoy the view over to the coast.
A trip to Gibraltar is also a must; fill up with petrol if you take car over. It can be quicker to park in LaLinea and walk over the border and catch bus (buy day ticket it can use all over the rock) into town. Take the organised rock tour it covers more than you can do walking although you will miss out on cable car ride.

15 readers found this review helpful

Just got back Thursday 1st October 09, after 7 nights all inclusive. Reception staff were very efficient & polite on arrival. We were shown to sister hotel just round the corner even though we were booked in here. Woke up next morning our room was set in a complex of little walkways, we opened the french doors there lemon & orange trees round little courts yards with beautiful flowers, the pool and bar was 20 feet across the road. It was the better pool of the 2 hotels. We had a silver wrist band for this hotel and we were given a blue one for the Cortijo Blanco. We eat our meals and joined the evening entertainment at the Cortijo Blanco. So we had the best of both, our room had 2 single beds, bedside cabinets,dressing table,built in wardrobes and a large ceiling fan (there was plenty of room for a double bed aswell). The bathroom was very clean - bath,shower,wc and vanity unit with plenty of light. The beach was a short walk 15 mins down the road and the town of San Pedro 20/25 mins walk (both worth a visit). We also took a taxi ride to Porto Banus (5 euros) also worth a walk round the harbour area. We did one trip to Gibrater which was excellent. The weather was 26/30 most days. Buddies bar and the Irish pub were also worth a visit. You get what you pay for and I think it was good value and I would go back again.

4 readers found this review helpful

food has a good choice there is something for everyone . friendly staff and very clean . wouldnt recommend beach . there is entertainment for children and good show at night . only thing is if you like to explore it is a good distance from anywhere although we did have a good walk to puerto banus marina which we enjoyed , also had a trip to gibraltar which was also good . just 2 little gift shops and supermarket nearby. there is a motorway right outside but dont be put off as we didnt here the traffic . the only drawback we found was not all rooms have air - con in so it does get a little overpowering at night . but we had a good relaxing holiday which is what we went for .

4 readers found this review helpful

My partner and I wanted to get away for a week All Inclusive, with a short travel from London. We were very, very surprised of what we paid which was £150 per person (fantastic). The rooms were very clean, change of towels everyday, facilities were good, staff were curteous and helpful, food was not brilliant but we found something to eat everyday and plenty of it. The hotel was a bit isolated from the town but we hired a car for the week so we were able to get around and see the sights. Gibraltar was beautiful and we definately would visit again. RECOMMENDED 100% FOR FAMILIES, COUPLES AND SINGLES.

3 readers found this review helpful

Arrived in a hurricane, which lasted all week. With dismal weather and non-stop rain. However, hotel was ok. As only about 100 people in the hotel we were upgraded rooms free of charge. Rooms were large with plenty of storage space which were cleaned on a daily basis. If you fancy a lie in, (put the do not disturb sign on the door) and the maids will come back to clean up later on that afternoon. Towels and sheets were changed daily. Pool and bar areas were kept spotlessly clean.Pools were icy cold (but we did travel in Feb). Food was always fresh and hot, although you are fairly limited for choice. Hotel staff were ok, some more friendlier than others. Entertainment was pretty dismal, but would probably have been better in the summer months when more people are about. Other hotel guests were fantastic, many of them go there for a couple of months at a time and they all know each other. Everyone came out to wave us goodbye when we left, which was lovely. All in all hotel was ok. Not really a hotel I would rush back to, but great if you want a get away from it all holiday.

1 reader found this review helpful

Just got back from Marbella on a under eights football tournement and what should of been the best holiday turned into a nightmare, The hotel seemed to look really nice, food was good plenty of choice, not much entertainment but it is early in the year, rooms basic bit musty but ok. Outside of hotel is the same has being on the M62 in england very busy. So overall OK. The day of the tournement we all set of to have the best experience for under eight football, ONE word to the spanish (CHEATS) When we got back we found that five rooms had been entered not broke into because the rooms was locked back up and no sign of brake ins, but all five rooms had been ROBBED big time. The hotel reception was'nt bothered at all and the police didnt bother either. I would never go back to this hotel ever again because my kids who are Eight and Five was terrified of being away from the room. NOT GOOD.

1 reader found this review helpful

We came here mid November..and on first impression's the hotel is brilliantly clean..!! Set on a main road is quite a problem but the lights are about 10minutes down the road to cross over. We went all inclusive and enjoyed the free drinks which also included hot drinks from 8am till 12am. O.K now the main bad thing..The food!! It was atrocious.. one night the chicken was raw and the bread was mouldy..! If you have a strong stomach and enjoy eating uncooked food then by all means you will love it.!!
I wouldve rated higher if the staff were nice but they were ignorant and intimidating.

this hotel is very good foods ok drinks not to bad bar staff food staff very good hotel is very clean layout very good . now what is not said is . booking in staff very good but if you want to to find anything out its sorry idont no see yoyur rep .gues what THOMSON DO NOT HAVE A REP HERE .now this hotel is on a very very big main road to cross it you have to walk 10mins up the road .where you cross road is the start of the town it is not a seaside town (its a working town).the beach is another 10mins the otherway, but theres nothing there .the bigest problem will be if your room is on the road side you wont hear yourself talk VERY VERY NOISY

5 readers found this review helpful

This holiday cost me £220 per person, for one week, all inclusive. And we had a fantastic time.
I have seen some bad reviews for this hotel - ignore them. It's three star and it's very cheap. You get what you pay for - the hotel is beautifully clean, there are four pools, plenty of sunbeds, a very comprehensive all inclusive menu, great local towns (the road is very, very busy - take a car. We hired one from Sixt for £90 and ended up with a brand new convertible. It was lucky, but any car with air con will do.)
I didn't like the food. But I'm not complaining, because of the price. What do you expect? The produce was cheap, but it was plentiful and the salads were excellent. I certainly didn't starve. Food was available pretty much around the clock and all inclusive drinks were incredible. You do get a bit bored of drinking out of plastic cups from the Pool Bar, but go to Bar Bodega on the other end of the hotel and you can have a glass.
This is an amazing holiday for those with young children. The evening entertainment is great for kids, at least two of the pools are very shallow (deepest part to my waist) and as there were so many parents around, you could read your book in comfort, knowing at least 10 pairs of eyes were on the pool. We made friends with all the families out there.
The thing I was most concerned about, was ending up with loads of 'Brits Abroad' yobbish behaviour. There was a couple of teenage boys who got a bit boisterous - but we barely noticed them. This is very much a family hotel with a good range of ages. The bar and entertainment finishes at 12pm - there are surrounding bars (very quiet at this time of year) if you want to carry on drinking, but you can go to bed in relative peace if you want. Having said that, our room (73) was by the two restaurants and the tiled corridor leading to the tennis courts and other rooms. THis was horribly noisy in the mornings, when people dragged their wheeled suitcases along it. However, our large, clean terrace, looked out onto the pool bar. Therefore, if our daughter was having a nap, we could sit on our terrace but feel the atmosphere.
Puerto Banus is a millionaires paridise - and the beach restaurants are great. Pricey, but worth it to have a meal whilst the kids play at your feet in the sand. San Pedro is quite sweet - if you have a car, go down to Estepona, about a half hour drive. Very spanish and beautiful. We have friends in Gibraltar and drove there with ease.
All in all, this is a great holiday for those on a budget and those with children. You will always find things you are not happy with - that's life. For the prices Cortijo Blanco charge, lighten up, sit back and enjoy the free bar. About 6-7 out of 8 families we spoke to were on a return visit - and we too will be back.

we had a brilliant holiday rooms basic but clean staff very friendly food very good and plenty suit most tastes. entertainment good most nights plenty to do in day for children pools clean beach not far but lots of pebbles but didnt stop us having a good time very busy road outside plenty of taxis plus bus stop right outside we walked to san pedro and purto banus not far away hope to go again next year