Yaramar Hotel

2 readers found this review helpful

I have stayed many times at this hotel.
In Jan 2007 I paid over £1200 sterling to stay for 14 nights. Asking for a premier room with sea view.
On arrival at airport no transfers arrived. So paid for taxi. Arrival at hotel and allocated a room with pool view. Requested sea view room as paid for. The room we received was of very low standard. Broken furniture, springs piercing through mattress. The room was unbearably hot and unclean.
I requested a move and told the hotel was full. I attempted for 13 days to speak to the Thomson rep waiting on average 2 hours each day. They never showed until the 13th Day and were blindly dismissive.
The Hotel states a full entertainment programme. Clearly not the case. No entertainment daytime at all. In the evening only a solo singer with booming bass in the hotel inner foyer. On previous years used to have the most pleasant piano player and full entertainment programme in the lower nightclub.
Thomson have let their standard dramatically slip at this hotel. A very dirty room and nobody interested in helping. The adverts for the holiday included a champagne evening; of course this did not happen either. The hotel staff in previous years very helpful but now just not interested. Each morning I would ask for help, a move and told to speak to the Thomson rep, of course who never showed.
When I eventually spoke to the rep. A very young , quick talking man about 21, clearly he had no interest in our position, more concerned with answering his mobile phone.
The night before our departure a note was placed under our door telling us to be ready to be picked up by coach at 7am.There was no coach on our arrival. This also meant we would miss breakfast. The coach arrived at 7.30am. Departed to next Hotel in Benalmadena and sat until 8.45 am. The driver as I understood had gone for his breakfast.
I filled in the hotel complaints form and handed it into the reception upon leaving, he took it, opened it, screwed it up, and threw it into the bin. The hotel had been advertised with a heated pool, I knew from my previous visits this was not the case.
After the fourth day I booked into another Hotel as the heat in the room was unbearable and was never ever cleaned. Same sheets stayed on the beds all during the 14 days. Same towels.
We always booked our car hire and any trips through Thomson but how could you if they did not turn up. I with others booked with a local travel agent for trips and our main visit to Morocco. Why have Thomson created this appalling situation.
My wife and I have had many wonderful holidays at this hotel in previous years but will never return again.
For the smokers there is no place to smoke. The hotel states there are three areas but these are closed from 5pm. Not being a smoker myself but as we know the Spanish are more tolerant in this manner, so if you smoke I suggest you book with another hotel.
Overall, The Hotel has been ruined ,I would book elsewhere from now on.
On our returned to UK, I telephoned Thomson, they asked me to put this in writing did by letter and by email. They have never responded. Which does not surprise me at all. When I telephone they state they have no records of any letters or emails. Despite myself having kept a full record of all emails and letters sent even recorded delivery.
It is so disheartening that you wait all year to go on what you think is a great holiday only to be let down. I would never book at this Hotel ever again. It appears to me that everything that was good here has been moved to the new hotel Florida a few minutes into Town.

1 reader found this review helpful

Fabulous hotel with the best staff I have encountered in several years of holidaying in Spain or the Balearics. They smile a lot and nothing seems to be a problem for them. Pity I can't say the same about Thomson’s reps who have no interest in their customers unless its to sell overpriced excursions.
We took what may have been a gamble and booked our tours through a local travel agent located near the hotel. We discovered that the tours were sometimes half the price of those sold through Thomson.
Contrary to the warnings of dodgy buses, poor guides and being dumped at our destination with no assistance once there, which was exactly what we were told by the Thomson reps, we found the tours to have very new luxury coaches, guides who were polite, knowledgeable and issued maps, leaflets and money off vouchers for our destinations (something Thomson didn't do).
We had absolutely no problems whatsoever, and saved a bundle of cash in the process. The Thomson rep was mortified when I told people who were pricing a couple of tours to go to the travel agent.
The zoo is absolutely wonderful and worth a visit even by those, like us, with no kids in tow. Go in the evening during the height of summer, as when it is really hot during the day, many of the animals are all shading themselves and asleep.
There is a special evening visit with a meal and entertainment which we found out about too late as the reps never told anyone about it as they don't do an excursion there and none of them had ever been. They couldn't even tell us what bus to get. (I didn't like the reps you'll gather)
If there is a let down at the Hotel, it’s the food. Don't get me wrong, we always found something to suit us, but it was all a bit bland, lukewarm and unimaginative.
The best food was when the chefs did local dishes. The paella was superb, as was a local beef stew which was full of flavours and garlic galore which I love.
It's obvious they cater to a mainly British elderly customer, but I do wish they would accommodate the younger and more adventurous visitors too.
We chose to eat out on the odd occasion simply to get a bit of variety, and there are several restaurants less than 2 or 3 minutes from the hotel which merit a visit.
If you like the Spanish lifestyle of eating late, then you'll dislike the yaramer, sorry. Food finishes at 9 and then its really a bit overdone etc.
The rooms are lovely, immaculately clean and there’s a free safe. Bit odd that they charge for the fridge though, although we were fortunate to find ours hadn't been locked so it was free for us. Others had to pay 30 euros for the fortnight.
Would I go back? A resounding yes. In spite of the bland food, this is a super hotel, and the resort has loads to offer.

We stayed for 7 nights at the Yaramer - we have stayed in Feungirola twice before but this is the best hotel we have stayed in here.
This is a Thomson gold hotel - they do not accept bookings for anyone under 16 but other tour operators do (we saw 2 small well behaved children here)we were given a taxi transfer on arrival because there were only 4 arrivals for this hotel - what a luxury.
On arrival the cases were collected and re-appeared in our room a few minutes later after we had checked in.
A nice room -very clean and tidy -a free safe in the room plus free tea and coffee making facilities. We had requested a low floor and for a change received one on the 1st floor overlooking the sea. Free pool towels available plus free toiletries every day.
The pool was cold and the jacuzzi also but we soon got used to it. The gym was on our floor - pretty basic but there was a sauna and jacuzzi available above it.
The food in the restaurant was really good - a really good selection of salads and fruits which is important for me plus beef and chicken and a good selection of other food.
All in all I would recommend this hotel and will definitely return sooner than later.

1 reader found this review helpful

We have just returned from yet another fabulous holiday at the Yaramar. This is our 4th year and hopefully will not be our last.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. The rooms very clean and cool, the linen is changed at least 3 times weekly (but we found it was changed more often) and towels daily.
Nothing ever seems too much trouble for the staff and we have seen the same staff every year so that says something about the hotel owners, they treat their staff well.
We went on more trips this year than normal, all with Thomson as we found them better value than trips booked outside. The highlight was the 4x4 trip visiting the lakes and villages. Dave the driver (and owner of the company) was so knowledgeable about the area and we learned facts about the area we never knew.
We saw all forms of wildlife including an owl that seemed to enjoy having his photo taken. We also went on trips to Nerja, Gibraltar and Seville. The Seville trip was a bit long but very enjoyable, all trips with English speaking couriers.
The pool is clean and whirlpool a delight. There is also an indoor one if you don’t like too much sun. We took advantage of the beauty parlour which is part of the hotel complex and treated ourselves to a fab massage by a qualified physiotherapist. A great plus for the hotel is no children under 16 years so no splashing in the pool!
Altogether four very satisfied holidaymakers.

My partner and I have visited this hotel now every year for a month since opening this year we have just returned from staying for two months. We can only say fabulous once again we were still not ready for coming back.
The staff at the Yaramar are so welcoming and Friendly. The rooms are cleaned to perfection and clean towels and bedding on a regular basis including beach towels. They are always willing to put themselves out to accommodate everyone needs.
The food is always cooked well giving you a good variety and we feel that the last two years the improvement on choice and variety is second to non. We feel that everyone is catered for even diabetics, and lots of healthy eating options for the ones watching there weight.
We feel that the hotel entertainment put on by the management more than adequate , there are lots of different areas to gather in the hotel at night whether you want to dance just listen to music relax , play bridge or cards or even quite areas if you so wish. Also with the Yaramar being were it is it is so easy to have a stroll in the day time to the local markets restaurant and coffee bars or in the evening a steady walk along the sea front especially with the good flat adequate promenade to walk along.

Went for a half term holiday break. The weather was beautiful. Warm, bordering on the hot some days, and sunny.
Our room overlooked the pool and we could sit out on the balcony at night as it was so warm.
The Hotel was good. We would certainly go again. There was so much choice with the food we didn't bother going for the waiter service meal once a week.
Happy Hour downstairs was a good idea - drinks aren't cheap so line then up before 9.30.
We went for some R & R and that is what we had. We could watch what was going on without being dragged off to join in. The sauna and Jacuzzi were a treat as well.
All in all worth a visit although we did find that the average age was somewhat older than the Gold hotels we have visited before, but not a problem.
Thought it was very odd that you had a free safety deposit box but you had to hire the fridge. The room was kept lovely and the hotel was very clean and staff very friendly.

In all the years we have traveled abroad we have never stayed in a hotel more than once, but all this changed once we had visited the Yaramar, we will be returning for the 3rd time in September 2006 and have already booked for 2007.
This hotel is just one of the best. The cleanliness is second to none, the hotel is very light and cool, the rooms are very adequate and comfortable, the lifts are from outer space, the food ensures you go home a stone heavier, the staff are very helpful and so friendly and nothing is ever to much trouble. The pool area is spacious for the size of the hotel and for those who don't swim (or even those who do) the whirlpool is heaven to cool off in on those hot sunny days.
The hotel is situated just across the road from a fabulous beach and lovely restaurant (just taste those freshly cooked sardines) and is far enough out of the town to be that little bit quieter. If you don't enjoy a holiday at the Yaramar then just stay at home because you won't enjoy one anywhere.

Having spent 2 weeks at the Yaramar, my opinion is that the ratings for this hotel are slightly misleading. We found the hotel very comfortable, very airy and spacious, the location ideal for easy access to the beach, which is just across the road. There are plenty of facilities in the hotel to rest and relax, (games room, a gym, sauna and reading room to enjoy). There is a pleasant pool area with an outdoor Jacuzzi, and afternoon and evening "happy hours" are provided. What we found unusual was the indoor entertainment area, which is situated on the lower ground floor.
We've become very accustomed to outdoor entertainment at the other gold hotels we have visited. The entertainment team was very good, well worth seeing. Very little outdoor entertainment can be found in the resort due to the built up nature of the resort itself. The food quality was fine, although there was a lack of variety and an emphasis on providing sea food in the salad dishes, or pork. The desserts were very similar each evening. The staff were fine and helpful, in particular with the older clientele and those with mobility problems.
It was very noticeable that there were older guests at this hotel than previous gold hotels we've visited, probably because the resort is very flat and easy to get around. We were not very impressed with the resort itself. It's very large, very built up and very busy. If you prefer a quainter holiday destination, this may not be the resort for you. Overall the holiday was fine, but it is unlikely we will be returning to this resort in the future.

The hotel is excellent, staff friendly especially Antonio and helpful, hired a fridge 16 euros 1 week, fridge did not work but was fixed very quickly once reported. Entertainment was good, swimming pool was quite cold but plenty of sun beds available.
The room overlooked the beach however the road and promenade are noisy late at night, suggest a room overlooking pool also due to design, noise from the piano bar can be heard in the lower floor rooms (stayed on second floor) Recommend the a 'la carte night which is included in half board excellent food and service free champagne at the end of the meal.
Excursions I enjoyed Gibraltar especially the rock. Also a jeep ride to the lakes and mountains with Go Beyond, can be booked direct at www.gobeyond4x4.com Fuengirola is clean with excellent beach plenty of bars and cafe's taxis are reasonable from the center of Fuengirola to yaramar was 5 euros which is quiet a distance to walk.