First impressions were a wow. Warm welcome and an appreciated welcome drink. Room was ready which was a bonus, lovely appointed room, tastefully decorated with a huge power shower. Clean and nice gifts left for him and her.
Bar area lovely and Isola restaurant was just beautiful,
Pool was fantastic, and the deck areas kept spotless each morning and night. Beach area was also a haven.
Staff were friendly, accommodating, helpful, pleasant and smiling. Attended to our needs.
The food quality was exceptional, especially lunch time salads, pizzas , prawn tacos. Food at Ammos and Isola restaurants very well presented, cooked and served, Service at the former was poor, not enough staff, the latter excellent.
However, in my opinion this is not a true five star hotel. Reviews are always highly subjective and I have been lucky enough to stay in many great hotels over the years, worldwide. The management may say otherwise and I am sure their balance sheet reflects their current outlook and policy but for me the following suggestions, if implemented, would increase my rating to a true five star resort, namely :
1. The music around the pool in the afternoons is quite ridiculous. The volume is far too loud, not relaxing at all. Tracks mixed to the same bass background becoming monotonous. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were a delight with no DJ, a pleasant space to relax and chill to calming background music. Thursday to Sunday painful. Whilst I accept the hotel want a “vibe”, resembling Dubai, it isn’t the latter. It isn’t the bottomless Friday brunch Dubai scene. Management should note the amount of noise cancelling headphones on show, the amount of people who move to the beach in the afternoon to escape, the fact that a large majority of the staff resent the loud music.
2. Whilst the staff both at the pool, and the beach bar are brilliant and attentive, too many trays and plates are left lying around and not cleared.
3. Again the staff are fabulous but the cock eyed system of trying to explain and point out which bed you are on is frustrating. Why not simply number the beds to aid the staff, not to mention frustrated residents??
4. The practice of allowing non residents to use the pool, loungers, and cabanas is egregious. People have paid, way over the going rate in my opinion, to stay at this hotel. To then be unable to get a bed is not acceptable. Further more the unruly behaviour witnessed by the so called day guests is not in keeping with the ambiance of the hotel.
5. The rules re bed reservations are not observed. However, I for one, would not like to tackle some of the entitled demanding guests, who feel the rules do not apply to them. I felt truly sorry for the staff in that regard.
6. Similarly rules state no pets, yet some dogs were allowed on the decks. Not acceptable in my view.
7. Turndown service at night sporadic. Some times water left, some times not. No big deal but again not five star.
8. The prices for food and drink are extortionate. Go to Estepona and eat and drink for half the cost. You know when everything you sign for ends in “.00”, then something is amiss. Clever accounting or ease or greed, you decide.
9. Whilst the food quality is undeniably excellent, breakfasts especially faultless, food offering at lunch could do with a simple sandwich or toastie being available.
10. No kettle, a British thing I accept, in the bedroom. A big miss for me.
In conclusion, it is a great hotel, of that there is no doubt. The breakfasts were indeed, as many have said a highlight.The bedrooms were spacious and luxurious. Food and restaurants all to standard. My points above were little niggles which do not reflect my own view of a true five star resort.The staff work hard with the guests their priority but perhaps limited by staff numbers at times.
Reception staff helpful with some great restaurant review for Estepona, there are only a few nearby and only one worth walking to 30 minutes away.
The hotel is a little way out both for Estepona and Puerto Banus so a taxi ride of 14 euros gets you to both places. You can walk to both along the boardwalk to both , about two hours.
The demographic is very much a younger beautiful set, the social media influencers , pouting for Instagram, changing outfits and doing it again. If you are an older generation you may find this annoying/ distracting and if you want relaxation , then this may not be the place for you.
Oh a dichotomy ? Harp music and flamenco guitars played at breakfast , beautiful. Followed by the Ibiza night club scene in the afternoons, did not work at all for me.
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