Holiday Village Hotel

We have just returned from a fantastic 2 weeks at this brilliant hotel. My 6 year old son has had a ball, joining in with the numerous activities every day and attending the superb kids clubs - special thanks to Rosco and Flick. The In2Action team were always happy and enthusiastic. Where do they get their energy ?! The kids club had something for everyone and was run very efficiently. A good system was in place for collecting children at the end of each session where they had to be signed out and signatures verified on their membership card. The entertainment team were also happy and hardworking. Singing and dancing , with so much energy in that heat takes some doing but they did it night after night ,always with a smile. One evening Lauren and Monique were ill but they carried on like true professionals. Tom the manager is justly proud of his team including the lovely Donna , and Darren with his unique black humour ! Mike , the Maitre D also deserves a mention for running the restaurant so well. We witnessed first hand a family complain about anything and everything. their complaints were totally unjustified in our opinion. We usually ate dinner around 7pm but once or twice we arrived at 6.30 as the restaurant was opening. The chefs and kitchen staff along with the waiters and waitresses lined up to greet us as we walked in. They were delighted if we smiled and said Hola. Its a shame not every guest could be as well mannered ! All in all, a top class holiday from start to finish thanks to some very dedicated, professional people. Ignore the whingers - they'll never be happy.

The hotel is not situated within Benalmadena as the brochure suggests it is in fact a 10 minute taxi journey away. therefore the white sandy beaches are not close by and you can only buy food in the hotel shop as there are no other shops around. the restaurant serving lunchtime meals is a 15 minute walk away, along with the majority of the pools (wave pool and beachclub). this walk comprises leaving the hotel grounds walking along a road, up over a larege iron bridge and thereon through a tunnel system leading to pools etc., extremely inconvenient at the best of times let alone when taking small children in the mid day sun. the pool areas were in a state of disrepair with cracks and holes in pathways at any given point. the snackbar was inundated with pigeons at all times of the day although this area was extremely clean always. the all inclusive meals were comprising of bland tasteless food and we had at numerous occasions have to return uncooked food. all in all a complete let down it is rated at a 4 star we would put it at a 2 star when comparing with other hotels on mainland spain. avoud at all costs

Arrived 11th August 2007, family of 4, two adults, two children, 9 and 14 After reading some of the reviews I was a bit worried, we stayed at the holiday village in Majorca last year and had loved that. Arrived at 9.00pm to be told cold food had been left in the fridge, hadnt enjoyed the airline meal and were starving so thought we would try and get in the restaurant the reception desk told us we couldnt use that night. Arrived two minutes before it closed and it wasnt a problem, we were seated and looked after. Next morning got up and had a good look around, the place is huge and very impressive, there is something there for everyone especially children. Worries instantly vanished and couldnt believed the beach club, it was like having your own mini water park! The whole place was very clean, staff around all day emptying bins, cleaning, tidying. Lots of reps on hand all day to entertain and solve problems. The evening entertainment wasnt always great but they tried so hard and seem to be enjoying themselves doing it, did see a few good acts while there. The Irish bar downstairs opens at 11.00pm when the outside one closes, had a good laugh here and stays open till 2.00am. Kids clubs run from 10.00 the earliest activity to 11.00pm for the latest activity. Our daughter loved it, there were a good choice of activities each day. There is an internet cafe, large games room and a billiard room all of which the our teenager loved, the reps let older teenagers join in with adult activities in the pool so well entertained. The main pool is huge and the beach club is fantastic, lots of different pools including adults only pools which is great. The wave pool can be quite ruff so only for strong swimmers. Lots of shallow areas for small children and plenty of sunbeds. You can hire rubber rings for the day that can be used on the slides and in the wave pool, cost 3 euros and 17 euros deposit. Snacks all day by the main pool with lunch served at the beach club restaurant. Lots of variety to choose from, loved the salad choice, open from 12.30 pm to 3.00 pm. The only thing I can grumble about is you cant get snacks at the beach club you have to pay for them, or walk over the bridge back to the main pool. When ordering food you need to show you room card but not for drinks, mind they never asked the kids for the card. Great indoor pool, warm and relaxing with a Turkish bath, sauna and jacuzzis. Adults only from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm then closed until 3.00pm when the kids can use it up to 7.00 pm but then need an adult with them. Excellent gym equipment. Massage and beauty treatments available at a charge. Good selection of food available for breakfast and evening meal, had no complaints, different theme every night so you dont get bored. Loved the Mexicans great choice of menu and excellent food. Enjoyed the Italians but the waiter was a bit grumpy. Need to book 24hrs in advance for these, you are entitled to one visit to each per week, made a nice change from buffet. Used train and taxis to get out and about as the village is not in walking distance of anywhere. went to Benalmadena marina which was great and to a restaurant on the beach front. Visited Fuengirola which was very busy and the water park at Torremolinos, had a really great day here. Lots of water rides which both children and adults loved. The kids favourite place was Tivoli (amusement park) lots of rides to choose from, got soaked on the log flume. Shows to watch and a choice of restaurants. A good night was had by all, got there at 7.00pm and didnt leave until 11.45 pm, doesnt close until 2.00 am in August. Taxi rank outside the hotel or reception will ring one for you. About 10 euros to Benalmadena and 16 to the water park. Train station 15 minutes walk away, very easy to use, trains run every 30 minutes cost approx 1 euro 25. Beware of ladies at the beginning for the bridge and at the end when you go to the beach club. they want you to go and see their new development at the Holiday Palace, offer you vouchers for trips if you go. If you show any interest at all they will hound you. We just said no and they left us alone. Doctor available in the hotel, we needed to use him as our son had an accident on the wet marble, he was excellent an excellent asset to the hotel.

We arrived at the Holiday Village at 9.30pm on Sunday evening, told the restaurant had closed but could get a snack from the Piano Bar, so we went to our room to put our cases in and go in search of a drink and a snack. We decided to get the beds ready before going to the bar, when we put the put you up bed up in the lounge area for our son, the pillows had blood spots on them. Not to cause a fuss we took the pillow case off and gave our son one of ours , the sheets on one of the main beds was also blood stained but all the sheets were changed the next day by the maid as soon as she was aware . There were a few sandwhiches left in the bar but none that looked appealing, but we managed to buy some snacks from the very expensive shop on site, but this satisfied our son and he was happy with this. On first impressions the hotel looked well maintained and there were no queues at the bar for drinks etc. We had a great pool sea view from our apartment, the apartment itself was big, two sinks in the bathroom, and two showers although one leaked and made the bathroom floor like a skating rink, so we steered clear of that one. The Beach Club was fantastic and the long trek mentioned by other reviews was over exaggerated, you only had to walk over the bridge from the hotel, and to be honest we were glad of the exercise after eating a large breakfast. The wave pool was great and the Jacuzzi Pool was fantastic, we found the kids pool by the restaurant a godsend for our son. Food - Breakfast was good, the omlettes especially and the pancakes for my son as he is a fussy eater and will not eat bacon etc. The only downfall for breakfast is that there were hardly ever any cups on the table we always had to ask for them, but the waiters and waitresses were always flat out and working hard to keep up with things. Lunch- this was at the Beach Club, this was always good, something different most days, burgers, hotdogs, pizza etc for the kids. Desserts were always plentiful, one little niggle though is they never put out crackers for the cheese, this did annoy me slightly. Dinner - this i have to say was a bit hit or miss, they had an Indian Evening, but the curry was more like bland lamb stew, but all in all, there was always something to have. Piano Bar, inside was air conditioned and pleasant enough, outside was always busy and tables did not get cleared very quickly at all, it made us laugh as one day last week the hotel were obviously having an inspection by the Tourist Board, on that paticular day all your drinks were in glasses not plastic cups, there were continuously clearing tables and sweeping up, in the restaurant you had a full set of cutlery and several wine glasses on the table. This inspection must have finished by about 8pm as all the staff seemed to relax and tables were not cleared, the glasses and extra cutlery on the tables in the restaurant were removed. I have to say the Kids Entertainers were excellent and worked really hard, Well done to them. Bar staff could have been a bit happier. The one major problem though was the day of departure, after arriving late on the arrival day and no food being provided, we were told that our all inclusive ended at 12 midday on the day of departure and that it would cost us another 15 euros each to upgrade so it would last until 6pm. I am so glad we didnt do this as it seemed a rip off after we arrived so late on the first day with no food etc. We didnt upgrade but still were able to get drinks etc with no problem, before we were due to be picked up we were a little peckish and decided to buy some food from the snack bar, we were just about to do this, when we were told not to buy it just to order it as the staff do not check room numbers etc, so keep this in mind if you are going told to upgrade, dont as its not worth it and they do not check and i think we were quite entitled to it anyway. All in all the Holiday Village was fine, i have to say we will not be returning as i have been to better all inclusives in the past. i would rate it 7/10 with the Beach Club and the Entertainers earning most of these points. Irish Bar was good also.

I must admit I was not expecting much with this hotel given some of the reviews we read before we left, we spent two weeks here leaving on the 24th Aug. Having never stayed in an all english hotel before (normally German) we did expect the worst, long queues, chips with everything, etc But it was not like that at all, the choice of the food was very good, english influenced, my eldest son who is a fussy eater ate every meal time really well. The hotel buffet restaurant had themed nights every day. The only problem we had with this was if you were eating towards the end of the sitting (there is two) you struggled to find a cup and spoon. But all in all the food here was good. Going all inclusive you get to eat in the hotels very own mexican and itailian restaurants once a week. I have to say these were fantastic we could not decide which one was the best, but visiting these is a must. Be prepared you will not be able to move the portions are big, and it is waiter service. The beach club restaurant is also very good with a massive choice of food each day. We never had a bad meal during our stay. The hotel its self is very large, the reception staff were polite and the communal areas are very clean, when we arrived the room was clean with a magnificent sea and pool view, as mentioned in other reviews large bathroom with two wash basins, bath and seperate shower (and bidet) constant hot water and good air con. Lots of english TV channels (ITV 1 and 2, BBC etc). All the balconies were large, but there is a problem with pidegeon droppings on the walls, floors and railings. Our biggest complaint (and we did) was that the maid service was very poor, the beds were made every day and the floor swept but that was it, the room was never dusted and the floor was never mopped, which was not good in relation to walking on the bird droppings. However, we complained to the first chioce reps and the room was cleaned properly within the hour. Although it was never mopped again. We judged this service as a 3 star hotel. The choice of activites was immense the kids clubs start at 10am and finish at 11pm, there was always something happening everywhere all over the hotel. Our son attended the high ropes, football school and swim kids. All of which were extra costs but the trainers were very proffesional and friendly. The entertainmaint was varied the piano bar was nice and relaxing with easy listening duo's etc. and the family outside stage was mainly the first choice entertainers, which after a while gets a little tedious, the pantomine was good but some of the visiting acts were as would be expected. The beach club was across the road over a foot bridge and was a great day out, wave machines, slides with rubber rings and lots of shallow safe pools and fountains to play in. The weekends got busy with spainsh ( we found out that they were members of the beach club and subscibed to membership) the beach club is shared with another hotel Holiday palace and next year will be shared with two others. we always got a sunbed around either pools but we did have to reserve before 9am. Would we go again? Yes but the beach club will be too busy when the other hotels open next year. Credits go to Tom (in2action team) and Tom and Donna (entertainers)

Me my partner and our 3 children (16, 13, 2) really enjoyed this hotel and would recomend it to anyone with children. The hotel and the rooms were very clean and food was good. There were lots to do for children of all ages(with clubs etc). Even the teenagers were kept entertained as there is a internet room, a cinema room, games rooms and indoor pool with sauna, steam room.... There is a disco open till 2am which our teenagers really enjoyed. Would definatly go back again! However there is not much else around the hotel at all, you would need to get a bus/taxi to the nearest shops/bars, although we didn't need to do this.

WE HAD A RELAXED TIME. Pools at the beach club catered for everyone. We had teenagers of 16+17 they were a little bored.The only annoying thing was showing our room key for drinks. This complex is fantastic for kids of 0-14. Clean communal areas. Isolated location. Food was plentiful and catered well for fussy kids. A la cartes were great ( Mexican + Italian). Polite staff at most places except the beach club bar, where they would find anything else to do if it meant they didnt have to serve. The reception dealt promptly with any requests. Pool towels very nice, therefore you dont really need to pack some.

Holiday Village, Benalmadena-Costa del sol, stayed 2 weeks from 14 july 2007 Flight 2 and a half hours with First Choice was short and on time so really good as I hate flying!! Transfer From Malaga airport it takes about half an hour to transfer to the hotel, it is on the outskirts of Benalmadena. Check-in If you fill out the registration form on your transfer it is quick and easy. The staff were curtious and pleasant at all times. Hotel set half way between Benalmadena and Fuengirola and not good for a stroll into either, its too far from both ,catch a bus! The Living Room Well this was my first let-down, as before we went away we had heard there was building work going on at the back of the hotel and also at the beach club where most of the pools are located. Hearing this I called into to my First Choice shop to find out, they phoned head-quarters and asked and was told that there had been building work at the beach club but was now complete and that they knew nothing about building –site that I now had the most wonderful view of from our room, along also with a railway line and donkey in field that let you know when the train was coming. Phoned down to ask for another room with seaview but none available and would have cost an extra 15 euros a day!! Sorry! The room itself was large, clean and spacious with living area and dining table with 5 chairs, air-con, TV (remote to be hired), double pull out bed, huge double wardrobe and mirror in passage, coffee table and desk. The Bedroom This was big with 2 4ft beds together, telephone, dressing table with mirror, 2 bedside tables with lamps and 1 main light, again massive wardrobe with shelves and safety deposit box inside(payable) The Kitchen I think the kitchen was adequate, for those all-inclusive but a bit sparse on saucepans and kitchen tools (also remember to take tea-towel and dish-cloth with you, none supplied). There is kettle, toaster, microwave, hob and ample cupboard space. As for the well-stocked fridge it consisted of 1 small carton of orange juice, 2 small bottles of water and 1 small bottle of coke. If all-inclusive I would take tea and coffee if like us you like a cuppa in the morning and ask for a glass of milk in the bar to take to your room. The Bathroom This was the best bathroom we have had in any hotels we have been in. It had 2 showers (1 over the bath, 1 shower cubicle) 2 sinks with complementary smellies replenished when needed, hairdryer, shaver point and clean towels every day and also a bidet! The Balcony This was massive with table and 5 chairs, but totally spoilt by the awful view of the railway line and the building site, which the reps said quite honestly had been going on for ages and hadn’t any idea when it would be finished! Restaurant in hotel The food is not the best we have had and expected it to be a lot better for a 4* hotel, it was luke warm and repetitive, and if you want water with your meal ask for bottle or they’ll bring you warm water! We often had to go looking for crockery and cutlery; I think it was under staffed, saying that we always found something to eat, it was that or catch a bus to find somewhere to eat. You have to go to the beach-club for your lunch unless you use the snack bar at the main pool (burgers, chips etc.) the beach club restaurant closes at 3 o’clock. Food on a par with main restaurant. The Beach Club Here you will find all the pools for the kids including the new wave pool(that the reps had told me was complete, wasn’t finished until the end of our first week!!), Bar, tennis courts, high wire, restaurant. I must say our 13 year enjoyed it here, it had slides and water features all over the place, there’s even a small spa pool for adults only ,beds in Jacuzzi, lovely and relaxing looking out over the Med but if you look in the opposite direction you see the main road between Benalmadena and Fuengirola! The beach club is accessed via a winding bridge over this main road. Main Pool at Hotel This was where we spent most of our time, although I must warn you between one or another of the pools they had to be closed about 6 or 7 times due children and sometimes much older children using them as toilets a bit off putting, the entertainers were busy all the time with quizzes and games. Also to be found here was mini-golf, driving-range. Various kids clubs available from babies to teens catered for but, there were still some unruly teenagers about, with parents not in sight! Also available is An Arcade, billiards, internet room , Health club and fitness room were very good and you could escape from the children ,have a sauna, Jacuzzi and swim in here,(wonderful) The Entertainment In the evening we felt it was very poor for entertainment ,we have been to 3* first Choice hotels where they had professional acts but here it consists of half hour kids disco, half bingo, and then something that the hotel entertainers have put on, they work hard but felt it was a let down. The Irish bar starts about 12 o’clock as we were going to bed so can’t vouch for entertainment in here. They have 2 more restaurants on site, a Mexican and an Italian that if all-inclusive you can eat here once a week each, our son is faddy eater so didn’t check these out. The whole complex is surrounded by railings for security and as also as security staff on duty 24/7. But they didn’t manage to catch the people who vandalised the back of the stage one evening. On the whole Wouldn’t go back to this hotel it is too far from the resort centre and you have to catch a bus (even these stop at 10.30 in the evening)to get anywhere. If you have small children then it would be good for all the activities on offer but found it to big and too noisy. I would not say it was money well spent but we live and learn!

Spent 2 weeks at the Holiday Village... Reception staff very helpful and polite. Fantastic Room on 3rd Floor of Block B - Our Friends stayed in Block A and their room was smaller with single beds, their room was for disabled guests - We had 2 double beds, large and clean bathroom with both a bath and a shower. Air conditioning is fierce so only need it on a medium setting. Lots of hanging space and needed blankets.. The shop at the village is reasonably priced considering it is in the hotel and the only shop for over a mile. The hotel is in the middle of no where but as you are AI you do not need to leave the hotel. We walked to the beach which was a trek. Now for a little moan - firstly all AI guests have to wear red wrist bands, when you are at the Beach club you also have to show your room key when going to lunch or queing for a drink, there is only 1 bar there and with 2 slow staff - the queue is long and can take anything up to 10 minutes to get served. Also the staff at the beach club are not smilers to say the least quiet abrupt actually. The pool area at the beach club was closed on 4 occasions as there was a little item left in the pool. The word in spainish is merda (Poo) to us !!!!! there was a note on the back of our room door when we arrived about warning guests that this will not be tolerated and we thought that it was a joke but it is not - There are 2 other smaller pools at the BC so you can use those but it is very inconvenient. We also noticed groups of spanish families use the BC of a weekend and they were not guests as they had no wrist bands on - They also like to take your sunbeds if you are not on them - and also share your sun shade without asking !!!!! cosy .... The First Choice entertainment is dire. But the trio (different one each night) at the piano bar are very good. Not a lot for teenagers to do, there is an internet room but most just hang around looking bored

Boy , what a hotel. We took our two grandchildren aged 11 and 14 and it was amazing. Food was ok plenty of choice and I cannot say we ever did not find something for everyone. The clubs for the kids were great and the pools etc were out of this world the imagination used was just fantastic. Adults had their own pools with jacuzzi beds in them for relaxation,never seen them before. Having been to the village in majorca this hotel and its facilites were outstanding, clean towels every day and beds changed regularly. We were at the back where some building work was going on but it didn't disturb us at all, we in fact adopted the resident donkey who brayed every morning to greet us.Went on several trips, Gibralta,crocodile park and aqua park all booked with holiday reps and in fact worked out cheaper than going it alone. Also went to Tivoli World [funfair ] took a taxi and also went on the cable car up the mountain [scary] but the kids loved it. Paid £3800 all inclusive can't fault it both staff and kids entertainers wonderful. Evening entertainment depends on your age as grandparents the piano bar suited us thats all I can say.Only downside is the time share touts that grab you on your way over to the beach club. And by the way the hotel doctor is on his own, lovely bloke puts you at ease.