More Traveller Reviews of Minerva Jupiter Apartments
Beware Of The Pigeons!
from lil_ole_wine_drinker
Stayed in Minerva/Jupiter last month...we just wanted a cheap week away...the Minerva/Jupiter were the cheapest, so we ended up there! The hotel it's self is very dated, but in a cool retro kind of way - it works! Didn't find the staff very helpful, you have to hand your key in when you leave & we would often come back from a night out & have to sit & wait for someone to come back to the desk!! The rooms themselves, although they looked like something out of the 70's were very clean & maintained...actually got a double bed too, for once we didn't have to push 2 singles together! The room was a nice size, with a bath...had a balcony that was inhabited by pigeons so the chairs & the table were covered in bird poo...so be warned, don't hang your towels over the railings to dry!! Overall it was a good size, had everything we needed to make our pot noddles...the only draw back was not being able to sit out on the balcony! The maids only came in twice the whole week & didn't even attempt to clean away the POO! The pool is amazing, but was closed off when we were there, their was only the kids pool open which was disapointing, so it meant everyone was squashed into one area, or you had to sunbathe on the hill, which was ok coz it gave you loads of space! The pool bar was ok, not cheap tho! You've got a terrance & toilets & a pool table. We had one day on the hill then went to the beach the rest of the time, which was a 10 minute walk out of the hotel, round & down, the beach is lovely & the sea is gorgeous!! The place it's self was a bit too laid back for us, as were in our early 20's we would have liked something a bit more lively, the bonanza square which is oppasite the hotel is great, but not to be confused with the 24 hour square which is quite a treck down a hill, but on the way you do pass another strip with more bars & pubs. Never actually went to the 24 hour square as we were told it was dead 'rough' & their was a lot of pick-pocketing going on, so we kept away. The Bonanza square has plenty of pubs, about 10/15, a Chinese & an Italian, but closes around 1ish, although Legends Bar was always open a little later, i think they stay open as long as theres someone wanting a beer! It was mainly older couples (about 45-65ish) that were around the square, but they all had either the footy on or some music & they were all English run from what we could see! They all do great breakfasts through the day as well. The Hotels location was great, it was about 10-15 minute walk down to the front & on to the marina...the shops round there are nice but STUPIDLY expensive. If you want a nice chilled out relaxing holiday with not so many late nights, it's perfect...i'd go back to the hotel again if i got it as cheap as it was last time... SMOKERS BE WARNED: I didn't know this, but they don't sell cigerettes in packets of 20's in the newsagenty/gift shops, theres only 2 official ciggy shops in the entire town & they close between 2 & 4 i think it was, so be warned, don't get stuck without any fags like us!!!
very good base
from cathmurray
my daughter [15] and i have just returned from a 4 day stay at these apartments and hopefully this review may help someone else looking to stay here. the apartments are made up of 2 blocks [Minerva and Jupiter] both blocks consist of studio or 1 bed apartments, and both blocks share the pool.this is no problem as the pool is very big and is probably one of the best pools available in in this resort.We had a studio apartment which was of average quality for what we paid.We booked it through [--] and paid about £100 for the 4 nights.Every thing we needed was there,however i can't say it was luxury because it wasn't,but it was clean and had all we needed for a short stay. The staff are not especially friendly or helpful and the only other gripe i have is that during the evening my daughter would take a bath and this seemed to use all the hot water,because when i showered after her, the water was barley warm,which i didn't mind because it was so hot out there,i thought it would cool me down.However as the minutes ticked by the water got colder and colder and became unbearable,so you may want to consider showering at different times. I chose these apartments,purely because of the pool and i certainly was not disappointed,it is fabulous.For me the apartments were a little out of the way,i would prefer next time to stay near The Marina[about 20 minutes walk] having said that there are plenty of bars,restaurants and shops on the door step.i particularly liked 'the swan' just across the road in Bonanza Square,they serve a great pint of Carling and the staff are friendly. There is a big supermarket almost next door,which sells nearly every thing and not too expensive and there is a little shop just beside the pool gates.there is a large bar terrace at the poolside selling drinks and snacks.i would deffinitley recommend these apartments to any one.One last but important thing is that they do not have a 'luggage store' room so if like us your flight is very late at night,either book your room for an extra night or you have to leave your bags just beside reception at your own risk.The guy there is often called away for different things so bear this in mind
My Fave Basic Holiday!!!
from stacey_83
Ive been visting this area and these apartments since I was 9, (im now 23) and i've loved it every time i've been!!! I've always found the apartments to be simple, clean and ideal as far as self catering goes! My family love them so much my aunt's bought a studio here!!! as i said i've been coming for years, firstly with family and no as an adult with my partner. the apts are clean with 24hr reception, safe hire, hairdressers, wee shop that sells lilo's, rubber rings etc in high season. and the pool!!! well it's the best pool you'll find without going to a hotel!!! granted the pool isn't open all year round due to staff costs (as most of the apts are owned they're not all rented out by the building) although it opens on the 1st of june and the latest i've been is the end of sept and it was still open then. across from the apts you have bonanza square which has a supermarket, several bars & restuarants and a small grocers. as you pass the supermarket and the sq ahead of you will be the wellington bar, next door is the newsagents where u will find most british papers. It is also now against the law for shops to sell tobacco without a licence so you'll have to go to a tobacconist, the nearest one is if you take a right at the above newsagents and follow the rd u'll come to a restaurant 'hong kong' on the corner follow the corner round to the left and the tobacconist is next door!!! Coming out of the minerva block if you head up the hill at the end of the row of bars across the road, in the basement of one of the apt blocks is a club called Bunny's, now here you will find the best drag show on the planet!!!!! WARNING NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED OR EASILY SHOCKED!!!!!!! This has to be booked far in advance, would advise doing this before travelling call 0034 639002425. They charge 5 euro each which will be added to your tab!!!! Hope you all enjoy your holiday!!!!!
What pool?
from Poochy45
Having stayed in these apartments before and having thoroughly enjoyed my time there I was expecting the same again...alas, no. Although the apartment itself, the area its situated in and price I paid were all excellent the big problem was the pool area. These apartments basically sell thereselves on the pool area, three pools, one baby one (basically a puddle), a kiddies one, (not very big or deep), and the massive main pool area, which has different areas, depths, slides etc and to me is the main selling area of the apartments, without it, its just another set of apartments. Well, thats what it was like when I was there, 'cos it was shut!!!....not only the pool, but the surrounding area was fenced off, the bar/restaurant and even the toilets!!! I know I was there quite early in the season, but it was still very warm when I was there and I would have been in the pool....and if I wanted to use the toilet, I had to go all the way back up to my room!!, no foyer toilets here!! Apparently there is now a new law saying that pools over a certain size have to have lifeguards manning them, I have no proof of this but this is what I was told....if it is correct.....Hire them!!, the shutting off of that pool, bar, toilets and poolside area spoiled my holiday, and even though I liked the place before, until that is resolved, I wont be back....travellers beware, it dosnt say anything about the pool being closed at certain times in any reviews I have read of the Minerva Jupiter.
fantastic pool
from BIATCHXO2007
it's a few years from i was at this complex but i have to say it had probbilbly the best pool i have ever had on holidays it was cleaned every night and was spotless!! The room's are clean and the pool side bar was great for drink's and snack's!! when we arrived we were asked to give finger prints which i have to say freaked me out but we found out the next day we had to give them to enter the pool area!!!
location, location, location
from prettypolly63
June 2005 was the last time we stayed at the Jupiter/Minerva but that was our 4th year there. We didn't go last year beacause we are saving for our 'holiday of a lifetime'. The Jupiter appartments are probably the best apartments we have ever stayed in. We stayed in the 1 bd, it is compact but clean & ideal for a couple. The main attraction though, is the pool and the gardens in the complex. It has three pools, 1 very large pool, 1 smaller pool but still big enough to swim in and a kiddies pool. The area surrounding the pool is grassed and has neverending space! With a poolside bar that provides hot snacks and drinks (including alcohol!) at a reasonable price. The apartments are about a 20/30 min walk to the beach through Paloma Park (which is extremly tranquil even in high season). The best part of being situated at the Jupiter/Minerva is that you are away from the noise of the hotels that are situated on the beach. If you take a short walk to Arroya de la Miel, you will come across Tivoli World, which is ideal for young teens and children alike, which is very cheap to enter. The train station is in Arroyo and will take you to Malaga via Torremolinos for a small cost (as the beach is nicer than in Benalmadena)
allmost heaven in the sun
from manonamission
we stayed in the jupiter for 6 nights nov 06.we had a large one bed apt.it was bright and clean and well seviced.we were on the 5th floor with sea and mountain views.the furnishings were a bit dated but clean and comfortable.the pools and gardens shared with the minerva were excellent and have sun beds for hire.the apts have 24 hour reception.opp is a large supermarket and another across the road.opposite is bonanza square full of spanish and english bars and a good selection of restuarants. opp the minerva is skivers rest pool darts and sport on large screen tv.15 mins up the hill is the gamonal (sonyas bar breakfast 1.75 euros) is a selection of proper spanish tappas bars up and down the narrow side streets,go on get lost and enjoy yourself in the robust spanish atmosphere of real spain. down to the coast is a large park with chickens,ducks ,geese swans,pigeons and peacocks roaming loose.(take some bread to feed them)on the lake are various birds and terrapins and water vowel.there are emus and goats in fenced off areas ,cacti gardens play areas water falls,just go see it .the beach is just down the road from the park ten mins walk from jupiter.a leisurely walk along the beach promanade brings you to the marina ,its okay to go green with envy the boats realy are that expensive.and to top it off it was 80 deg and wall to wall sunshine.we will be back.
Little Britain in the Sun
from NewmanWales_UK
Not the place to stay if you want to get away from it all. The complex was very dated and can be noisy. The area that the apartments are based is very British. Lots of British Bars and cafes. Ideal if you like to feel that you are in the UK but with the sun. Also where the Jupitar and Minerva is located, its not ideal for those who are less mobile.I would recommend the Marina area of Benalmadena. Nice hotels and fab restaurants. The beach had a blue flag ( nice and clean ). Recommend a trip to Mijas, lovely spanish town with great views of the Costa Del Sol coast. You can go to Mijas on a local bus which will cost approx a euro. You can get a train from the airport which costs approx 2 euros. A taxi would cost approx 20 euros.
Loved every minute!!
from A TripAdvisor Member
We were there a few summers ago and enjoyed every minute from just lounging around the pool to dancing the night away in the 24 hour square. We personally couldn't have asked for a better holiday . The management was really friendly and were only too happy to help. And if that wasn't good enough that year there was a heat wave and we all came home with the most amazing tans. I can't wait to go back next year!!
costa del heaven
from A TripAdvisor Member
benalmadena is quite possibly the radest place on the planet. I hav e had the pleasure of residing at the Jupiter/Minerva complex at least fifteen times. the pool area and gardens are quite outstanding, as are the restaurants and poolside bar. i would like to suggest trying the restaurant's club sandwiches as they are most excellent. The apartments are within spitting distance of the beach and a number of clubs and bars. 5 minutes up the road are a combination of todo shops and several larger establishments. Every night guarantees a fun filled adventure for holiday makers from all walks of life, including many ignorant northerners! however dont be put off as even they are incredibly hospitable to all. i would strongly recommend the area to anybody seeking a dope holiday!
3 readers found this review helpful
I have been visiting this area for the last 10 years and stay in either Minerva or Jupiter. Everything is on your doorstep. We go for the excellent swimming pool with slides, lifeguards and gardens with enough space for everyone. There are 3 pools, the paddling pool for... more