Aparthotel Benalmadena Palace

Our first holiday together! We booked seven nights at Benalmadena Palace, self-catering, a one bedroom apartment. The transfer was only about an hour, with two drop offs before our hotel, so not too bad, I didn't think.

The apartment was on the first floor close to the snack bar (open all day), main entertainment bar (evenings till approx 2 a.m.) and the pools. A bad choice you may think but it was actually really handy and unusually peaceful.

The hotel was clean and tidy and full of very friendly, helpful staff, from reception to the life guards to the bar staff and the chamber maids. No one could do enough to help.

Our room was adequately equipped for self-catering. The bathroom was not quite as clean as I would have liked and showed a bit of wear and tear considering the hotel is only a couple of years old. We didn't have enough towels but a quick word at reception and extras were delivered within minutes. The beds were made and bins emptied every day. The bedding was changed at least three times.

The hotel is very family-orientated. We went in the last week of September so it seemed pretty quiet - no fighting for sun loungers and no late night drunks round the pool! The building work was on the other side of the hotel and we didn't hear a thing but I'm not convinced any work was actually done while we were there!

The hotel boasts a lovely outdoor pool area with a baby pool, an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and well-equipped gym. Other spa facilities were available but you have to book and pay for them. The kids' club runs for about four hours a day - the staff are great. I was always told the Spanish love children and it shows.

We tried the hotel restaurant on two occasions - breakfast and evening meal. Both were buffets with an extensive range of hot and cold food - Spanish and English. It was a bit more pricey than eating out but was very impressive.

The hotel is situated on a hill which will seem pretty daunting to the disabled or young kids. The car-park half way up the hill does help a bit, but if you find it too much, you can always get a cab to the top for about three euros. The walk from the hotel to the marina is highly recommended - especially in the evenings when everything is lit up. The first row of bars and restaurants are mostly English - good for your late morning fry-up. Along the sea front are the Spanish restaurants. You might be accosted by the waiters but don't be put off - they are really friendly and will remember you next time you walk by too! We tried quite a few of the places there are they were all brilliant. My partner would recommend the BBQ sardines and of course - paella! The steaks are magnificent but I do advise that you are careful when ordering - the Spanish appear to cook much rarer than we do! The only place I wouldn't recommend eating is the eat-all you-want buffet place further along towards the marina. It was over-priced and the food was bland.

We were advised to be cautious of anyone offering lavender or lucky charms and people selling cheap watches and tat like that. Apparently, while they're chatting to you, they're also picking your pockets! Luckily we didn't really get approached by anyone anyway.
We took the Airtours trip to Gibraltar to see the dolphins. I do not recommend this. An hour journey took more than two hours in a stiflingly hot, uncomfortable coach leaving the hotel at 7.30 a.m.! As soon as we got there, there was barely time to nip to the loo before we were herded onto the boat for the dolphin trip. The dolphins were amazing and I don't regret that - I do regret not finding a different excursion from one of the many available in Benalmadena itself. After the dolphin trip we were left with too much time to hang around Gibraltar but not enough time to actually go and DO something or see something in Gibraltar. We would have loved to have gone up the rock but there wasn't time. All we could do was wander round the many, many, many duty free shops and then back on the stinky coach for another horrendous two plus hours!

All in all, I think Benalmadena is a lovely place and the Benalmadena Palace is highly recommended. It does live up to it's four star reputation - the bottled water and fresh fruit in the room, waiters with fruit round the pool, free facilities and a lovely clean environment. I'm really glad we paid that little extra and booked this hotel.

The aparthotel was excellent. The indoor swimming pool was kept beautifully clean and warm. The staff were very friendly. Thoroughly enjoyed our months visit. Hope to return 2007.

A very pleasant holiday was had, food perfect, rooms perfect, in fact it all was just perfect. Don't worry about the so-called hill - it's a dream (cut through the garage).

The staff are ever so helpful in every way, I will be going back!