Puerto Marina Apartments

iv alreday commented about the resort below, but forgot about one important fact. a blonde haired girl called kayleigh lives near the hotel. from time to time she will be on the hotel grounds as a resident, but shes not obvoiusly!! beware of this girl, shes about 22, sort of on the chubby side and talks with a strong liverpool accent. watch her. at first i thot she was staying in the complex but as the days went on me and my sister got chatting to her and shes lives with a member of her family near the hotel and regulary poses as residant. we were leaving almeria on the mon morn, the sat nite before that kayleigh and her 'boyfrend' took my sis out to go clubbin, while they were down there strangers were throwin nasty comments to my sister because of whose company she was in. they were shoutin things like 'theif' and similar abuse to the girl. they treid to get in to a couple of clubs but the bouncers would not let thenm in because of this girl and woulnt let my sis in coz she was with her, a barman also confronted them calling kayleigh again a theif and demaning her to pay up the money tht she owed him. (apparently ordreing serveral drinks and beverages and runnin for it!) by this stage my sis had enuf and started to walk back towards the hotel and surprisingly they gopt stopped by the cops and got searched for no reason, (aye rite) next day my sis told the hotel manager the way this girl had been acting and that she was using the hotel grounds (pool,bar etc) as the complex was only suppose to be for the use of 'paying' customers but the moody spainard hotel manager done nothing. i assumed she couldnt be bothered.

overall stunning place. gud entertainment every nite so u didnt hav to go far. food ok, nufin spectacular, but i suppose as being used to great british food you cant realy compare. emm, the town was a 5 min walk from the hotel which wasnt bad, lovely wee town, lots of restuarants and little pubs, not tht gud 4 gifts though. had alot of trouble finding stuff.
a beautiful place and definately would recommend. perfect for families and couples that are looking for a relaxing holiday!

Well first of all I have to say it was possibily the best hoilday I have been on.
When we endured the hours upon hours journey ride to the hotel in the bus we were afraid of where we were going as it was allicated on arrive. We drove in around quiet roads around mountains and further and further in, the middle of no where. Then a town appeared and it was beautiful, at the foot of the town was our hotel. Awesome. It was the nicest looking hotel ever!!
The entertainment was unreal, it is the type of hoilday to go on if your there for a girly weekend our a lads weekend too. The reps were the best craic ever and a production of Grease was done on the last night there as well as bingo and games on at night and daily. The craic was immense.
The only problem I had was that because it was self-catering, we had to get our own food from the pokey shop on the bottom floor of the hotel and the food was the same almost each day we went down and a rip off.

I will start with flight out and being told that we were not entitled to in-flight meals from monarch as first choice hasd not booked meals eventhough our tickets showed that they had been supposedly booked. The rooms were cleanish and quite big for 5 of us,although the maid service was poor,as we never knew when they were going to turn up and they didnt clean to my standards. The hotel staff did their best despite being very over worked. The food was rubbish and had insects crawling all over the salad ,and when i spoke to Derek the first choice rep he was very rude and started shoting at me in front of other guests,he totally lost control and eventhogh he sent me a card with his apolgies the next day,the damage had been done as far as i was concerned. The entertainment was rubbish and Tanya was also at times a bit over the top in the way she spoke to some of the kids. The pool was freezing and full of bugs and the way the hotel maintenance staff kept it clean was to just empty big containers of chlorine into the pool and that was it. Overall we were very dissappointed with this hotel and no way will we be going back

First problem on the plane. Though we had paid for in-flight meals, we were told by the stewardess that Monarch Airlines had no contract with First Choice to supply meals. In resort, the First Choice Rep, Derek, told us that that was correct and that Travel Agents had to 'tick that box' in order to book the holiday.
Next he informed us that All-Inclusive would cease at noon on our last day, even though we would not be leaving the hotel until 16.15. When I argued that this was not fair, he stated that this was the norm in Spain, contrary to what I had experienced previously with both Thomson & Thomas Cook at other Spanish hotels, where everything was available right up until departure.
Next item, FOOD. The meals were very bland and repetitive, and often cold. At one meal, my grandson, aged 2, wanted a yoghurt. On checking it was found to be a week past its sell-by date, whilst I found some of the 'fresh' fruit to be rotten.
ENTERTAINMENT. A kid's Club during the day, but no creche, no swimming sessions, no archery, no pistol shooting, no darts, no live music, no live shows, no folklore shows and no cabaret. Just bingo, karaoke and a quiz. The reason given, that it was end of season and that anyway we had come 'on the cheap'. Personally I had paid &1890 for 3 adults and a 2 year old, not what I would call cheap.
SECURITY. No security whatsoever. Consequently 4 rooms were burgled on our last night, (which had happened previously this year) but our Rep did not feel it necessary to come and help out.
PUBLIC AREAS. Not very clean. Pools cold and dirty, one with the filter cover missing. Broken umbrellas and chairs around the pool. Pool bar closed 3 days before the end of the holiday.
Finally, on the last day, with A/I finished we went for a snack before catching the coach. Only burgers or a sandwich available. But a Spanish couple who came in after us were given a totally different menu with a range of hot Spanish snacks.
On the plus side, the apartment was very nice with a large, safe balcony, although the apartment door could not be locked from the inside, and my grandson managed to open it with ease. Also there is a nice beach within 400yards. Though the hotel is located at the tip of Mojacar, there is a reliable,half-hourly, local bus costing only 1 euro per trip, regardless of distance. Most of the staff(waiters, barstaff, cleaners and lifeguard) were friendly, approachable and very hardworking, unlike Reception and Maintenance.
In conclusion, I cannot see how this hotel has a 4star rating, and I feel that First Choice should appoint a Rep to support its customers, not to constantly defend the hotel and its management.
I cannot recommend this hotel or travel company to anyone.

3 readers found this review helpful

Excellent hotel but a major problem!!!
we arrived home from puerto marina hotel yesterday afternoon. Myself, my husband and 3 young children. We had a wonderful holiday and planned to go back. Tanya, was absolutely wonderful, and kept us entertained all week. She was brilliant with the kids, and we are all missing her already. Kayleigh, at The kids club was great, and our children absolutely loved her, she is also absolutely wonderful. We cant praise them enough...absolutely the best.
we made some wonderful friends while there, and as its the end of season there was only a few families there, which meant that we all got to know eachother which was great.
The food was quite good, but we did all get fed up with pork chops being on the menu each night.
The rooms and the hotel its self was very clean, and the rooms were quite big, as was the balcony.
The water in the pools was ice cold which meant none of the kids really went in...only for a minute or so then back out absolutely freezing cold.
On the last day we decided to the shops to get last minute presents in and went back to the hotel to get ready for the evening meal and evening entertainment.
We sat down for the meal and my husband had just gone to speak to someone we had met, and he came running back, and asked where i had put the key. I said why whats wrong?...he said someones room has been broken into. I left my meal and ran out with my children. i passed the word round to who ever i saw...a wonderful lady we had met called Hillary looked after our 2 older children in the entertainment room, and a wonderful lady called sharon looked after my toddler so i could follow my husband up to our room.
My husband was standing by the front door to our room and i said have we been done?...he said yes. I walked into our room to find it in a bad mess...all our cases had been opened and rummaged through and in our bedroom the cases were also opened with clothes out on the bed...the draws and wardrobe were still open and the matress on one side of the bed had been lifted, as was out toddlers mattress. My husband had found a piece of our hand luggage on the balcony with all our paper work out...The room 2 away from us had also been broken into and their safe had been stolen out of the room with their belongings in it....another family on the floor above us had also been broken into...their door had been smashed. The police was with the owner of the hotel in the room that had the safe taken so my husband called to her to say we had also been broken into. She came into our room with the police and looked round and went out on the balcony and by this point i was crying in my husbands arms...she came upto me and said dont cry it will be ok, and do we want to move rooms..then she said you need to see whats gone missing...i said i cant think at the moment, and she said well you need to think...she was laughing with the policeman. They spoke spanish to eachother so we didnt understand what was going on. The police didnt write anything down or take any finger prints...they both looked at the damage on the door where they had broke it to get into the room. You can actually walk along all the apartments on that floor on the other side of the balcony which has a flower border, so its so easy to get into the rooms...we knew money had been taken. Abit later on he kids club rep came back from being in town and she was staying on the same floor as us (1st floor) and she was worried about going into her room so a lovely man went with her to find that her room had also been broken into..so that made 4 rooms.
Our holiday rep who is called Derek got the call to say a room had been broken into...he didnt bother to come back to see the couple who phoned him about their room and safe being stolen...He just didnt seen to care at all. He said he would see them at the airport the following morning! The rep whos room was broken into also tried to contact Derek to tell him her room and others had been broken into but he wasnt answering the phone....Everyone was angry and totally disgusted by this..He should have been there to help and advise everyone, but he had finished work so just wasnt bothered!.
My husband and our friend who had their safe taken were told they had to go to the police station to make statements...The owner of the hotel went with them as they needed an interpreter there. As they all arrived at the station...the owner announced she was going now as she and her boyfriend had a meal planned and just left them all there to sort it all out themselves!
I stayed at the hotel with our children and hillary took 2 of our children upto her room so they could sleep. Her wonderful husband Gerry said he will stay with me and my toddler, till my husband returned.
I said i would wait in reception for him and alot of the wonderful people we had met also stayed in reception with us....We cant thank them enough for everything they did and for staying with me and my young son. kayleigh was absolutely wonderful with everyone, considering her room had also been broken into.
My husband and the other family returned at around 1.30am.
The following morning, the couple in the room next to us also found damage to their patio door, so they had obviously tried to get into their room too. When we arrived at the hotel we found the patio door to our bedroom wouldnt lock so my husband jammed it so it wouldnt open, but the living room patio door did lock..but the thieves broke it to get in.
Yesterday morning the "so called" rep, Derek was at the airport and he just didnt seem bothered by what had happened the night before. The family who had lost everything in the safe were basically left stranded. If Derek had came to see them when this happened, he could have let them know exactly what they should do, but instead...Derek was told off by the bloke at the airport for letting his customers arrive at the airport without passports...He said Derek knew not to do that!! The paper the police had given them wasnt enough for them to get home.
Everone clubbed together and managed to give them some money to try to get home, as they were told they basically had to sort it out themselves. One gentleman told Derek he was disgusted with the way Derek had been and Derek told him if he carried on he would not be going on the flight home.
After such a wonderful week and planning to go back there....NO WAY will we be returning to this hotel.
If anyone who stayed with us at this hotel would like to contact us, please do so through this site and we will be in touch.
Thanks...paul Ange and kids.

well firstly i would like to say i read all the stuff about the hotel befor going and due to some of them was a bit worried about going.....
but no way there all good points to every holiday and a holiday is what you make it if your a fussy person then no holiday is ever going to be good
there was good points and there was bad but the good points always out the bad
the rooms was well spaced for 5 of us (adults)and clean end of season and we had guessed it wasnt going to be done everyday but when it was, plenty was done all clean and tidy nothing to complain about.
food i was so worried about but there was loads even for end of season there was always plenty of fresh salad and meal menu was changed everyday mostly english dishes done in a spanish way with was nice its a change
entertainment was good if you get on tanyas good side she made me laff bit slow she could of put a lot more in but she was a good girl if ya see her say jay says hi
buses was cool wouldnt go to garusha unless you like looking a buildings not many shops but the oldtwon was amazing with all the nucks and shops hiding away really take a good fue hours to really exsplore
pools were great just jump in cold at first but 30seconds and your over it
drinks was fine fast flowing lemonaide got a bit flat quick but they use lots of ice to cool you down
staff was cool had to tech them a thing or to but was ok in the end
all in all it was great loads of fun and anyway you go for sun and rest and thats what you get
i very much would say do the quading treks over the road from the hotel one of the best days we had out

Spacious rooms with huge balconies & sea views give this hotel most of its advantages. A bus every half hour taking you along the lengthy sea front & up to the charming pueblo for €1 is wonderful as you may/will need to escape from the worst hotel entertainment on any continent (lucky the patio doors are insulated). It appears that the kids club staff double as night warblers belting out songs rehearsed with the kids during the day. Those on the all-inclusive option would need to drink a lot to survive a night of this at the terrace restaurant.
Food - well only took a chance with one breakfast due to an early airport pickup & have to say it was the worst meal I have ever encountered in all my years of travel. The supermarket is also well below standard - whoever manages it obviously is not interested in making money as shelves were not restocked & the selection was poor.
Such a pity as this could be a very good hotel if the food? was improved and a decent supermarket/bakery opened for those on self catering. 4**** on side of building but really a 3*** - dont be put off as it is well worth it for the apartment size and view & mojacar is a nice beach resort with plenty of good restaurants and clubs.

1 reader found this review helpful

I am writing this review just to alert the tourists when staying in the Puerto Marina Hotel. We were only there a few days when we came back to our apartment one evening to notice that we had been robbed. Not just robbed, the whole safe with all of our belongings had been ripped off the wall and the whole safe taken!!. Dealing with the actual hotel management was an absolute nightmare, as really they did not care at all. We had no money, no credit cards, no passports or anything, and the hotel did not even offer us food the next day!. It was a week before we managed to get to talk to the hotel manager about what had happened, and really this was a waste of time also as she really did not care. The only help we got was through the Reps from First Choice (or Falcon through Ireland) only for them I don't know how we would have coped.
Anyway I know I sound as if I am doing nothing but complaining, but I don't really have anything good to say about this place. There are no cameras in the halls, there are no security guards in a hotel which would have 1,000 people at the height of the season and none of the double patio doors (both bedroom & sitting room) close properly so in the end we had to wedge the kitchen chairs in the doors for some sort of security!. We were then told by the locals that robberies happen every few weeks in this hotel, so I am just giving a warning to any tourists that are travelling here so hopefully it won't happen to anyone else!

1 reader found this review helpful

We are just back from two weeks in the puerto Marina hotel and thank god we were not all inculisive. The food in the whole hotel was crap. We ate in the hotel on our first night as its a bit of a track down to the resturants it was the worst meal that we had in the whole 2 weeks we were there. The resort of Mojacar it self is very nice with lots of great places to eat and the beach was wonderful. The hotel is in a great setting with all rooms sea facing. My son is 4 years old and he loved the kids disco and going into the kids club the odd day. The entertament is the worst that I have ever experienced on a hoilday, we felt that we had to go out every night as it was so bad. I felt that some of the reps wanted to be anywere else but were they were some times when i droped my son into the club they wouldnt even smile. The rooms were Cleaned every day except Mondays and thursday if you can call it been cleaned they called at 9.30am and when I am on holiday i like to have a lie in, I also had a 12 week old baby girl with me so she would be still sleeping at this time, so I asked the cleaner to come back later which she never did and when she did clean it wasnt up to my standards so needless to say I didnt leave her a tip. Overall i really loved the resort of Mojacar and would go back.