JG you're an Angel !!!!
Thank you

Train it is with taxi from station - unless I have a sudden energy boost and race to the hotel!!

It makes it so much easier when someone has actually been there and done it!

Can't wait to get away from all the work stress and just chill.

We have just booked transfers with Travel Republic:-
£28 return for 2 people Fuengirola
£18 return for 2 people Torremolinos
We prefer this method rather than buses or trains as they drop off guests at the entrance of the hotel and
directly outside the door at the airport on return. We feel this is safer and more convenient - at a time we
are carrying cases and have our valuables, Cards and Passports with us.
Also, if is rains - no worries!!! (not that it does much in the Costa del Sol!!)
When we are staying at the resort, then we have no hesitation in using their excellent public transport
because then we travel light and don't take much money out with us - just enough for a few drinks and a nice meal
at Benalmadena Marina. I hope you have a good time. x

Thank you Suzie

Mam is of the same opinion as yourself - easy straight forward and we have our valuables I just hate transfers where they go all around the hotels etc - we'll have to decide pretty soon as the transfer prices appear to be increasing !!!


Just looked out my window - horrible dark wet windy and cold - typical winters day - looked on the webcam for Fuengirola and hey ho rain and dark there too!!!! Bet it isn't as cold though!! But there's still 2 weeks to go for us so hopefully a little sun will shine through.
Is it normally warm fleece or just cardigan at night this time of year? I know out of the sun daytime can also be a bit draughty but normally a cardi suffices??? Taking just cabin luggage means being very strict on amount taken so I try and make as much of an informed guess as possible. So all information greatly appreciated.

AGAIN (sorry)

Just read some of the recent reviews on The Gardenia Park (Tripadvisor) which are less favourable and more negative - why does this always happen before I go away?? Anyone else experience this?

hi again bev...............first of all i do not know anything about the hotel you and mum are going , BUT over the years I too have read reviews on hotels, that i have stayed in or was about to stay in. and I often think to myself on returning home, where the folks who made the negative posts ever in the hotel at all. There again maybe my requirements may not be the same as others, and there again we live more and more in a society that is very very claim conscious ( excuse spelling ) and i think this is a growing concern not only ref holidays . not much help to you I'm sure reading this, but maybe to give a different slant on the overall thinking......................enjoy in 2 weeks time, and dont forget to get back onto this thread on your return

harry

Don't worry - be happy!
Agree with Gentle.
Think how many people are staying in the same place at the same time.
We all read just a few posts which are negative and that unsettles us but please realise
that a lot of people don't bother to review if they have enjoyed it.
We all have different expectations and if I read a lot of reports about poor hygiene or food poisoning,
then I would take it seriously and do even more research and if 'bad', I would not book in the
first place or cancel but sometimes the things that people complain about is something that I would like! (Bingo/fun/entertainment)
You have your holiday booked - you will have a lovely time, it is too late to change so please stop reading reviews
and look forward to it!!!! x

Have never stayed in the Gardenia Park but do know it quite well, our place being just five minutes across the road.. I've been in and out of it quite a lot down the years, mainly for internet access.. it always comes across as clean and well kept and the pool area is sizeable... guests I've spoken to have been complimentary about the rooms; the only complaint I've heard would be about the evening entertainment, the standard and sometimes lack thereof.. the Brits in particular have a gripe about elderly Spanish and German people hogging the best seats while sharing a Coke and four straws all evening... with so many great eating and drinking places and bars with varying entertainment all within walking, bus and taxi distance, that's easily remedied... Los Boliches in particular in worth the short journey

Well thank you all re the info about trains but I had to book a transfer today for us due to a problem with my knee causing me walking restriction!!! Leg pointing one way knee another - popped out yet again!! Old injury happened a lot but timing really is great this time so won't be walking far lugging 2 suitcases. So the train goes out of the window!!

Thanks for all the info re transport as we will definately be using it - can still get around ok just a bit slower so will rely a bit more on the transport!!

Thanks jimg am now looking forward to the break even more!!

Isn't it strange that all the best laid plans ..... well at least we're going away, although the weather forecast is also set to change from nice and sunny to rain!!! Typical I spend time watching the web cams seeing them on the beach this week and then read the forecast which shows clouds rain and much lower temps!!

Hey Ho 3 more sleeps and away we go - hop along hop along hop along!

Never worry about the forecast.. it can vary from one end of the prom to the other this time of year.. cloudy in Fuengi, sunny in Torreblanca, wet in Benalmadena... that kind of thing... its outside all our control so go and enjoy the break... be interested to hear how it all goes... market day in Fuengi is Tuesday, btw, tho Benalmadena Friday is just as handy, right beside the train station, Tivoli World and cable car... here's another wee recommendation for a day out, Fuengirola Zoo, if you like that king of thing.. interesting and well thought out.. inhabitants all well cared for... and don't forget the Red Dragon pub round the back of the Gardenia.. if the gate to the seafront isn't open, go down the walkway, along the wee river under the bridge by the bus stop 2 minutes walk from hotel

Jimg - I owe you a drink - thanks again for all the info - will use all the tips especially the markets!! Been looking online at Tivoli and the zoo too.
Will post all about it when I get back!
Can't wait now

You can also get a bus from directly opposite the Gardenia, straight to Benalmadena Marina which is worth a wander round any time of year.. and if you still need something to do after all that, nip up to Rio del Sol and cut my grass.

If only I could carry my secateurs and my lawnmower - I'd cut your grass no worry!

Well I'm packed finally and looking at the forecast it looks like there's going to be some rain!! So it's a good job we've got all these nice places to visit - the rain won't put us off - after all we are used to it!!

So it's bye for now and I'll report in when I'm back

Thank you all for your info and advice

Bev

try and have a meal in the following..

Kasa Kon Tiki - Los boliches - buy one meal get one free..

Moochers fish alley centre of fuengi

Pepes Tapas - los boliches centre beside the church square

Living room and Bar Latina for drinks los boliches - lovely bars I frequent

the zoo is great, try and get money off vouchers or book it thorugh one of the many travel agents near your hotel..maxi travel, it will be 2 3 euro cheaper than paying for it at the zoo

Have a walk up to the sohail castle - the views are outstanding. couple of euros pp to get in...its a nice walk out

Take one the many buses upto mijas / marbella or take the comfy train to malaga city..its an amazing city that sometimes gets over looked..

If you need anymore info on sites / place to eat / visit let me know..I go every year to fuengirola and love the place...

DragonBev..........i am waiting to read how your holiday got on. was hoping to be reading your posting.

harry

DragonBev has posted her review Here:-

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/spain/costa-del-sol/fuengirola/gardenia-park-hotel/

luci

HELLO HARRY - and of course everyone else

I'm so sorry for the delay in replying here - so much happened and time has just flown by

We had a fantastic holiday - ok so the weather was far from great - rain, wind and a little sun but it was still a great holiday. We ventured on the bus daily which as you all said was so easy and cheap to use and we saw Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Torreblanca, Los Boliches and of course Fuengirola but didn't make it to Mijas - well not on this trip!
The weather did put us off wandering a bit further but I was slightly at a disadvantage with my knee so we took advantage of the lovley Gardenia Park Hotel and relaxed read books and just people watched.

The hotel was lovely and we had no complaints we had long lunches and extended dinners!!!! We absolutley loved it and we are definately returning in September when the weather may be a bit better and we get to explore and find all the lovely placed reccommended by everyone.

When we got home I had a problem with the internet and was unable to use it properly for more than a week I would get on it start to write and then get cut off - so frustrating - and so time consuming. I wrote a hotel report and tried to post it several times and eventually managed to get it posted. And yes Harry I was trying to post one day when you too had just posted - you don't realise how frustrating bad connection is until you are going through it!

So all in all it was lovely and we will be returning!

The area was lovely and flat and we could get around easily. It wasn't really busy at all - and of course the weather didn't help so it was lovely to get around. We did the market too which was again easy on the bus and we would bus it in to Fuengirola and stroll back up the promenade to Los Bolishes and sometimes even further! Didn't quite get back to The Gardenia though! Bit too far for us on foot. I loved the roundabouts with the different statues figures and monuments on them. The elephants were amazing.

So I can now say that we 'Fuengirola First Timers' are now 'Fuengirola Firm Fans'

Hi jiimg

Hope youur grass has been cut - I would have of course popped up and cut it but the weather wasn't that kind (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it)

I can see why you live out there - it's lovely and we will def be back. We're off to Salou again in June (had this sort of arranged before we experienced The Gardenia) so we're aiming for September where the weather will hopefully be better. We did have a couple of hours of sunshine and I have to say it was lovely sitting in the gardens just realxing. Next time we'll do more exploring!!!

Thanks again Bev

Don't live there yet, Bev... still slaving over a hot keyboard to make it happen!

Hi there dragonBev,

Its good to see you back on the boards. What a brilliant review about your hotel on the other link, and now reading this lovely report here as well............A great result and your heading back again speaks for its self.

harry