Los Arcos Montemar

I have just come back from the Los Arcos and can honestly say that youth hostels are cleaner.
We arrived late on Friday evening, the reception area was clean and pleasant and the staff friendly and helpful. The room was another story altogether. The smell was pungent, stale smoke, foist and mould. There were mouse dropings on the floor, cockroahes were rife and the towels in the room were wet, they hadn't been changed from the previous guests.
We swapped rooms and although there were no droppings nothing much was better. We took dettol wipes to disinfect the room and it was filthy.
The sheets stank of stale smoke and by day two there were mouse droppings again. The floor was carpeted probably in the 70's and was disgraceful, we did not put anything on the floor, not even our feet.
When we told the receptionist that there were mouse droppings on the floor and on the communal stairs we thought they would have been cleaned up. In fact nothing was vaccumed or wiped during our stay. The bathroom was mouldy and grotty.
We did not eat here or dare to venture in the pool and will never ever again go. Health and safety should close this place down.
I couldn't give this place a rating lower than 1 but I would give it a -100. Beware when booking.

1 reader found this review helpful

My partner & i were booked to stay at the los arcos for 13 nights from 26-09-10. On arrival the approach & reception area seemed ok & reception staff pleasant enough. The only other good point about our stay was that the towels were changed daily. We stayed room only so we did'nt experience the food. The rooms were very dated, smelly, dark & the carpeted floors were frayed & filthy. The wardrobes were smelly & mouldy & the shower curtain was also mouldy. The shower just about hung on to the wall without falling off & the tiles were also mouldy. We would never walk around barefoot on the filty floors. The walls were very thin & we struggled to get a good nights sleep.
The beds were made daily but the sheets were not changed & after 7 nights sleeping in the same sheets we took all the bedding off ourselves & piled them up on the bed, i think they got the hint as we had fresh bedding that day. On day 9 we awoke to find the water supply to the hotel had been cut off. We improvised that morning, washing & shaving with a cold bottle of water they gave us & then went out for the day. We were horrified on our return that evening to find that there was still no water. We now had to fetch & carry buckets of water from the pool to our room to flush the toilet, again washing from a cold bottle of water. When we awoke on day 10 to find the water was still off we moved to another hotel nearby. How on earth the los arcos has 3 stars we do not know. If it was to be regraded i would be surprised if it got 2 stars.
We will never go back to the los arcos but would return to the hotel we moved to nearby as this one deserves its rating. Prepare to be dissapointed if you ignore this review.

1 reader found this review helpful

we stayed at the los Arcos in Sep of 2010 and entered a time warp as soon as we walked through the door.
The first room smelt very smokey and the carped and desk were sticky, the toilet wouldnt flush and the tv bracket did not have a tv.
We complained and got a new room, this one had a tv but we could only get 1 channel and it was in spanish, the wall was mouldy in the bedroom, the sink had a big star crack in it, the tile grout was black around the bath, the orange wardrobe doors were broken and roughly painted, the bedside light flickered when you closed the bathroom door, the bedroom carpet was minging and there was still the stale smell every time you walked in.
we have read the other comments and would absolutly agree with all of them.
To be fair, we stayed Bed and Breakfast and although it was the same choice of menue every morning....it was fresh (except for the scrambled egg which went through several colour changes over several days before it was changed).
Pool area is quite nice, but it only had two sun loungers, eight chairs and three tables between 51 rooms....totaly inadiquate.
we have stayed in better Two Star hotels and reading some of the older revues, it would seem that the Los Arcos got its rating a few years ago and has slipped its standards in more recent years.
This is a cheep and conveniently placed hotel with friendly staff, but you will need to take your sence of humour with you or it could be a long holiday.

2 readers found this review helpful

the staff were mostly nice people.the food was terrible.if they served a meal that wasn,t all eaten it would be on the following day.a pudding made one day would stay in the fridge to be eaten the rest of the week.cold meats and cheese was put out for breakfast was put out all week in fact the we left the meats and cheese were curling on the edges.one evening the food was put away 30minutes befor the meal was over.we went out to have a meal else where and really enjoyed it.the best thing about our stay was clean towels daily and the beds were tidied every day.

1 reader found this review helpful

my friend and i stayed at the los arcos in June 2008,the hotel itself was basic but adequate,the rooms are in need of refurbishment but as a base you could do worse.the pool is small and not many loungers but the beach is only a short walk away.the problem is the food,although the breakfasts were much the same as most other Spanish hotels i can honestly say the evening meal was the worst i have ever seen in a hotel,hot dogs in white wine sauce with sloppy packet mash,baked beans with chicken nuggets and salad,there were several complaints while we were there and guests were informed if they wanted certain foods they could order it,though a few people tried to order chips only to be told there were none,i have honestly eaten better in 1 star hotels.The hotel is in a good position for Benalmadena,which is beautiful and the centre of Torremolinos,both in walking distance.there are plenty British bars nearby that do lovely food,if i was ever to stay in the los arcos again ,which is highly unlikely,i would just go bed and breakfast and have my evening meal elsewhere.I feel its a shame that the food is such a let down and cant really see how the los arcos managed to get a 3 star rating.

1 reader found this review helpful

the Hotel was a small run establishment reasonable clean but in need of serious restauration. Some of the staff was very friendly, others lacked vital customer service skills including the so called manager.
the food was totally unexceptable for a paying guest, The breakfast was a continental one and consisted of 2 wariety of meat one of cheese and cereals. the evening meal was even worst there was a choice of a meat dish and a fish dish with some overcooked veg and totally soaked in fat what it seams to be chips when they were awailable. They would often ran out and if you did not ask for more the counter would remain empty.
the pudding did consist of tinned fruit and tinned fruit and tinned fruit on special day's just for a treat there was also green jelly.
Transport was fairly good and there were bars and restaurants nearby, the beach was not very far and if you had a car it was in a good position to explore the beautifull costa del sol so if you intend to go to this area please do not spoil your holiday by staying at the Hotel Los Arcos Montemar.

3 readers found this review helpful

This is a small budget hotel but rather pleasant. The staff are polite and helpful. The rooms are basic but adequate. We went B&B and the breakfast is cold cuts continental, this suited us but will disappoint if you want a full English. The location is good for the beach and the promenade. Close enough to Torremolinos and well situated for a cheap bus ride into Malaga. (1.3 Euros/40 mins) Rooms at the front are less quiet but pick up the sun which is useful if going out of season like we did. The rooms at the back are quieter but no sun, possibly better in the height of season. Out of season the hotel was quiet and patronised by Spanish, Polish, and a few mature Brits. Subsequently our stay was a courteous and civilized experience, and not disrupted by the beer swilling yobs that often make the British abroad look like escaped animals. At this bargain basement price I do not think you will be disappointed.

I booked this holiday on the internet because it was a quiet hotel and i got what i wanted. The pool is small but there was never many people in it. I was disappointed that there was no sun lounges but we made do with chairs. The food was basic with no chioce and as i am vegatarian there was often nothing for me, but the staff accomadated by making me omelette and chips every night. Breakfast was cornflakes, bread and cold meats. The staff were very nice and the rooms were clean but basic with no english tv. The hotel was in a nice quiet area but only 5mins walk from the beach and shops. It is ideal for a quiet holiday.

2 readers found this review helpful

Me and my daughter thought it was great.
The room was basic but clean and the maid service was very good.
The breakfast was as we expected...a continental buffet which consisted of as much cereal, croissants and juice as you wanted.
The location was ideal as it was just a few miniutes walk from the beach.
The staff were helpful and friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

1 reader found this review helpful

this is a cheap and cheerful wee hotel, only 5 minute walk to the beach.
all staff were very friendly and helpful. rooms are cleaned every day. breakfast is continental buffet style.
my wife, 2 bairns and me had a quiet room at the back of the hotel.
the air conditioning unit came in very handy, for keeping my cans of beer (purchased at the supermarket along the road) cool :-) .
the pool is small, but adequate for a cooling dip.... the bairns definately enjoyed it.
there were sunbeds when we first arrived, but were removed due to being broken. there are plenty patio style chairs, table and parasols around the pool.
if on a budget, this hotel is perfect............. if you've plenty money to throw about, maybe you'd be better heading more up market and leave us cheapskates to enjoy our holiday in peace. ;-)