Sol Aloha Puerto

5 readers found this review helpful

We have just returned from a week at the Sol Aloha Puerto and have nothing but praise for this hotel and its staff. Two days prior to our departure on holiday to Las Arenas in Benalmadena we received an e-mail advising that we had been relocated to the Sol Aloha Puerto and having read the reviews it was with some trepidation and having no alternative we accepted the relocation.
On arrival at the hotel we observed the rather dull exterior and noted that it was rather larger than the type of hotel of our choice nevertheless we still had an open mind. Reception was bright and airy and staff helpful. The room which had a side sea view and overlooked the entrance was bright and spacious, a bit tired maybe, but clean.
The dining room was bright and airy and looked spotless with cheerful and helpful staff. The variety of food was excellent with, surely, something for everyone. There were always three soups, many different breads, a roast, different pasta dishes, several types of fish, chicken dishes, grilled fish and chicken and endless variations of salad. The desserts were many as was the fruit.
Breakfast had many options also with made to order omelettes and fried eggs if desired. There was cereal, fruit juices, yoghurt, fruit, ham, cheese, salami, various breads & rolls, croissant, pain au chocolat etc. plus the usual ingredients for the "English Breakfast" if so desired.
When we were there there were just sufficient sun beds round the pool but in the height of the season this may be a problem.
The entertainment at the hotel was of good quality and enjoyable.
Overall the hotel was excellent but in my opinion although the rooms were clean and bright and which are like a suite with separate bedroom and seating area could do with brighter curtains/bed covers.
All in all we had a great time and would return.

2 readers found this review helpful

Just back from a week with my husband at the Aloha Puerto just before Christmas. Despite mixed reviews we found the hotel really nice, we had a sea view but not on the sunny side (these rooms cost more), our room was spacious and clean, the beds were so comfortable we struggled to get out of them in the mornings! The maids came and changed the towels every day. We had no complaints about the food, it was plentiful and varied, you would have to be really fussy not to like anything at all. Possibly due to the time of year, the hotel was gearing up for Christmas week but was nowhere near full, so we didn't have to queue at any time in the restaurant. Tables were always cleared quickly and the chefs were spotless but I would imagine at the height of the season it could be a different story as it is a big hotel. Staff were always pleasant and polite but I would agree with other reviewers that the bar was expensive, and although a very pleasant and comfortable one, it was nearly empty most nights. Also the charge for using the fridge in the room (10 items from the room service menu) we thought was a bit steep as the cheapest thing on the menu as water or coke at 2 euros. This meant you'd have to spend £20 on soft drinks/beer to get the fridge switched on, and they'd cost nowhere near that at the supermarket. As it was winter we didn't need the fridge, but again it would be a different story in the summer.
In all we'd definitely stay at the Aloha Puerto again but not the week before Christmas as a lot of the local bars are closed and Torremolinos is like a ghost town at night. By the time we flew home on 21st December they were all opening up again and the hotel was filling up.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have recently stayed at this 4 star rated hotel and were disappointed with our stay.
The Reception staff were not welcoming and on the occasions we needed to speak to them they ignored us for unacceptable lengths of time.
The dining room was a disaster area - far too big and no matter what time we went to eat it was full to capacity and the noise of conversations unbelievably loud, but worse was the racket the waiters made collecting cutlery and crockery and pushing full trolleys around to the badly situated work stations. This could not be classed as a dining room - more like a works canteen with hundreds of rowdy workers. Dining was not a pleasure here and the food was mediocre.
The swimming pool was not heated and although the temperature was 25 degrees the pool was freezing, hence there was nobody in the pool.
We will not go back.

1 reader found this review helpful

On arrival we were put into a sub standard room on the ground floor, when I complained we were told a change would be done next day at 10 am, the change didn't occur until 1330, ruining our first day. I have read reports of this hapening before & think they are utilising sub standard accomodation & hoping the customer will put up with it, Dont.
The room we eventually got had several faults, the worst of which was an electrical socket hanging from the wall with bare wires exposed, they were all reportedimmediately, and prompty ignored. If you get room 1505, you probably notice light in bedroom u/s, ceiling above fridge bashed.
Food was basic, prices in the bar are excessive, resulting in an empty bar most evenings, the entertainment is very poor.
Possibly if you are german treatment may be better, personally I'll find another hotel

This hotel is very good value for money. The rooms are excellent in so far as you have a sitting area and a bedroom, 2 separate rooms!
The food in the onsite restaurant is buffet style and is plentiful and diverse. You are not far from the main bus routes to the surrounding areas.
The only downside that we found was that it could become quite noisy late on at night due to the close proximity of the local pubs, but apart from that it was really very good.
Staff were also very friendly.

We had two recommended choices this year, the Aloha Puerto or the Riviera. We chose the Aloha Puerto. The holiday was very good except for a couple of things:
A). Who on earth allows the sunbed grabber situation? If you don't get up at the crack of dawn to drape your towel, you had no sunbed. We sat and watched on a couple of occasions where the beds were "towelled" all day and no-one ever used them! This is a very selfish practice thus; we had to spend 8euros to lie on the beach when this sunbed facility is included in the price of our stay. These selfish people want a check on them.
B). The hotel is definitely not 4star. It needs a total revamp. We e-mailed asking for a room overlooking the pool on or about the third floor upward, we got a room (3103) overlooking the bins and small power plant on the other side of the hotel. A great big plus for the hotel though is the food - that is unbelievably good.
We ventured to the Riviera to see what we'd missed - loads of vacant sunbeds, decor definitely more upmarket, all pointing to a proper 4star.
Last year we stayed at the Riu Nautilus which was terrific. The only way I would stay at the Aloha Puerto again is if I was assured of a room overlooking the pool and they sorted out the sunbed problem, a sun holiday turned out to be very expensive.

We had one week here on a half board basis. The food is very good and mealtimes are quite long. Facilities are good except for loungers at the pool. We found loungers were being "reserved with towels" very early in the morning. For the size of the property, the Hotel lacks sufficient loungers.
Staff were great and rooms were of good size and clean.
Location was great for the marina and local shops. Taxi for 4 adults into the town centre was 6 euros.
My only big moan would be the cost of drinks in the Bar. For two pints of local beer and two whiskey and lemonades was 22 Euros.I nearly fainted; whiskey and lemonade 7.50 euros. 3.50 euros for a pint. Locally this brand was the poorest and cheapest around, yet I was charged a premium price. Down the road, a pint of San Miguel was "one euro". The dearest we were charged locally was 2 Euros.

So in all don't drink at the Hotel and go to the beach where you are charged 8 euros for two loungers and an umbrella.

Just come back from Hotel Sol Aloha Puerto, fantastic location, hotel rated 4 stars I would say more like a 3 star.
The pool area could do with a spring clean, and life guard ensured no rowdiness or ball throwing etc to spoil your relaxation. The clean beach towel service daily was a real good idea.
Reception was very good, entertainment staff very amusing but due to broken English could be a problem. This is a very much a Spanish hotel so be prepared.
Loads of different bars and shops opposite the main entrance and walking down the marina along the prom is really good at night with a lot of people selling various items of jewellery, bags etc.
You can walk from Benalmadena to Torremolinos stopping off at different bars on the way make a night of it.
This was one of the best hols we have ever had and would recommend this to anybody.

Lovely hotel with large rooms -separate bedroom to sitting area. Very clean.
Excellent location, not in the heart of Torremolinos but only 5 mins walk from Benalmedena Marina with array of shops, restaurants and lively (but not rowdy) bars. Hotel right next to beach which again is very clean.
Excellent choice of food at all meal times. Would not hesitate to recommend or return myself either with group of friends or children.

1 reader found this review helpful

Great hotel for wheelchair users. There is a ramp down to the promenade and u can walk into Torremolinos centre or right on to the end of Benalmadena Costa via the fabulous marina on the level promenade.
The hotel have a different show every night and you have no need to look for entertainment outside the hotel, the shows are first class too. The food is very good and there is plenty of choice. There is a lift down to the restaurant so no problems on that score. We found the staff very helpful and always ready to give a hand when needed.
The rooms were excellent and had a bedroom and lounge giving plenty of room for a wheelchair, We sat on our balcony overlooking the sea and the promenade watching it all happening and couldn't believe our luck. We are booking again anytime now.