Hotel Balcon de Europa

Have just returned from a 1 week stay and must start by saying the location is brilliant. We had a sea view room on floor 2 which was lovely. I had read reviews about providing your own tea\coffee which I found for a 4 star hotel lacking that these are not provided in room alongside the kettle & cups!!! Breakfast was good - a variety of cereals, hot cooked food alongside continental choices. Evening meals were very disappointing - almost the same dishes under a different name to correspond with the 'theme' of the night. Too many minced pork dishes, the chicken was only the wings/thighs and the chips were like the frozen type bought in a supermarket. Staff were wonderful, helpful and cheery. The cleaning staff do a wonderful job - everywhere is spotless.

Having read all the reviews, I was really looking forward to my holiday at this hotel. Lets start at the beginning. The transfer from the airport will drop you off at a car park about 1/2 mile from the hotel, and a porter will eventually collect you and your luggage, heaven help you if it is raining, or perhaps a single lady on her own. Next, we booked a standard room through Jet2 holidays, dont I repeat dont book a standard room, it was like entering a cave, a small window gave you the magnificant view of a blank white wall, if you craned your neck upwards you could just about see the sky, the rooms are immaculately clean with a small bathroom, it includes a safe, a fridge, a hairdryer and also a kettle with 2 cups and 2 spoons, but because you are in a standard room you do not get tea sugar milk etc,. Now for the good bits, the staff are excellent, friendly, cheerful, and the cleanliness of the hotel could not be bettered.The food was not to my liking, you would have to like pork, local fish and chicken legs and thighs to enjoy their food at dinner time, the breakfasts are pretty much standard, cereal, bacon eggs sausage, and the usual continental elements. Dont expect any entertainment in the evenings as there isnt any, very disappointing as in the brochure it said occasional evening entertainment. The location of the hotel is perfect, right on the Balcon in the middle of Nerja. I am afraid this hotel does not warrant its 4 stars to my mind, and I will definitely not go there again or recommend it.

Our first visit back to the Balcon for a few years and very little has changed. The rooms with sea view balcony is superb, but try and avoid the 3rd floor under the Restuarant, a bit noisy in the morning. The staff are lovely, especially the young lady who served us coffee at breakfast every morning. Apparently the rooms are being upgraded soon, balconies and bathrooms. A fantastic location, but Nerja itself has changed a lot in the last couple of years. Love this hotel.