Holiday Village Costa del Sol

We went here as a family of four during the October half-term break; upon arrival, I couldn't believe just how big the complex is - it's massive! The Reception area is fairly impressive if not a little dark and almost verging on depressing. The Reception staff were always very helpful and check-in was faultless. Our room was on the 4th floor and it was clean and fairly spacious with a kitchenette which we never used as we were AI. The bathroom was one of the biggest I've ever seen abroad and the shower was great - hot and powerful. However, we did experience a fair bit of noise most evenings with furniture being moved above us and kids running around like lunatics along the long corridors. This is obviously not the hotel's fault but spoiled some nights all the same. Pool area was lovely and the 'fake' grass is a welcome change from slippery concrete. Sunbeds were the most uncomfortable ones I've ever been on. You can't change the backrest so you either laid flat down or sat up - there was no in-between position. We played mini golf a couple of times and had a real laugh but got bitten to pieces by mosquitoes!! The most disappointing part of our stay was the food and restaurant area. I understand how hard it is to please all nationalities and I'm not a fussy eater but the food was typical holiday fodder. Chips, chips, nuggets, burgers, chips and lots of ice-cream. Out of all the meals I ate there, one or two would be what I would consider hot. 99% of the time, the food was lukewarm. The nicest meal I had was a jacket potato with salad but, again, it was lukewarm. Breakfast was fine if you wanted a full English every day but I didn't so stuck with porridge and cereal which was adequate. The thing that I disliked the most about the dining experience was when you walked in, you were asked how many were in your party and then the member of staff talked to a colleague who would wave a blue card at you and stand by the table they wanted you to sit in. I like to pick my own table not be directed to one like I'm a schoolgirl!! There's ample room in there so no need for this. I think the trouble is we've been thoroughly spoiled by a hotel that we've been to 5 times in the last 4 years that this one, unfortunately, didn't quite 'cut it'. It has also taught me that I don't like massive hotels so, in short, would I return here - no.

We were a party of 5 adults and 2 children and were in two apartments on the 4th floor. We were very pleased with our room, plenty of storage space, kitchen, bathroom and living area with a bed settee and a large balcony, perhaps a little dated but very spacious.. Tea and coffee is not provided in your room although a kettle is, but we asked in the dining room and were given some sachets of tea and sugar and bought some milk in the supermarket there. The large pool area was lovely, not heated, with entertainment and quizzes each day. There is a snack bar nearby with, burgers, chips, pasta, toasties and chicken nuggets available most of the day. The dining room was huge and not at all busy as it was the last few days of the season before they closed. I wasn't too impressed by the food if I'm honest though, and the soup was lukewarm most days but there was always something to eat, (just be careful to choose from the back of each dish as some of the younger children pick up and put back!!) All inclusive drinks were OK apart from the white wine which was horrible and to be avoided!! On the way out of the dining room, taking our wine with us, we were stopped and the wine put into awful plastic mugs even though we were walking just a few yards to the bar. Apparently a health and safety aspect but one which is ridiculous as we got to the bar and tipped it back into a glass! The staff all worked very hard and it must be disheartening to see so much food wasted, but the kids all loved it. The water park opposite is really lovely and I should imagine in the peak time, gets really packed. We spent most evenings after the kids show, in the Irish bar playing pool although it was very quiet. The main atrium area is very impressive but also quite cold, especially on one very cold day as the air con is up quite high, and I think some better lighting could be provided in most of the entertainment areas as it seemed very dark everywhere. Some soft lighting and maybe a little coloured lighting would be nice. All in all, a lovely few days with the family, the children really loved it all and the staff were all super.

Just got back from a lovely family holiday at the holiday village. The rooms were kept lovely and clean The pool was great and the animation teams were great my children loved them, they work very very hard! As a vegan family the food wasn't great - but that was mostly to be expected. In other all inclusive resorts we've visited they have food labels, that would have helped a lot. The lunches particularly were lovely. The rooms were very very noisy, lots of people around dragging furniture across the floor etc - the noise seems to echo throughout the building. Despite the poor weather we had a lovely break, the children especially enjoyed themselves, I would rate average / very good.