5 Reviews
Traveller Rating
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Excellent0
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Very Good4
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Good1
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Average0
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Poor0
Review Overview
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Cleanliness
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Entertainment
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Food
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Service
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Location
16 years 3 months ago
We returned last night from a week's stay at this hotel which, upon our arrival, the young Thomas Cook rep. confidently asserted was 5*. Having stayed in several 5* resorts in Europe and Canada in the last few years we can with equal confidence tell him he is wrong.
The room, the staff we met, the grounds and the overall atmosphere were all we would wish for but the hotel was badly let down by the restaurant:
We were both looking forward to dining in their open-air section overlooking the sea. However our first meal was spoilt by the unwelcome and persistant attention of up to half a dozen wasps - something other guests (and the waiters) assured us was the norm - and an island-wide problem the latter informed us! Thereafter we dined inside, and were bothered by the beasts only occasionally.
Our main disappointment was the unimaginative range, and lacklustre presentation of the food. The menus looked as if the restaurant was suffering from end-of-season fatigue. Where was the creative flair in dish presentation? Why did one have to dine soon after opening time in order not to miss those dishes which were proving the most popular?
Having said this we were well pleased by the size and comfort of our 'superior, sea-view' room and by the quietness of both hotel and grounds.
The staff we met from chambermaids 'upwards' were uniformly welcoming, pleasant, helpful and friendly. Wanting a restful week, the relative isolation of Marbella, its closeness to the sea and the absence of noise inside and outside the hotel (especialy round the three pools) was a distinct pleasure.
Overall, we both adjudge Marbella as a clear 4* resort ... but with the restaurant warrenting no higher than an indifferent 3*.
Max & Edith Carpenter
The room, the staff we met, the grounds and the overall atmosphere were all we would wish for but the hotel was badly let down by the restaurant:
We were both looking forward to dining in their open-air section overlooking the sea. However our first meal was spoilt by the unwelcome and persistant attention of up to half a dozen wasps - something other guests (and the waiters) assured us was the norm - and an island-wide problem the latter informed us! Thereafter we dined inside, and were bothered by the beasts only occasionally.
Our main disappointment was the unimaginative range, and lacklustre presentation of the food. The menus looked as if the restaurant was suffering from end-of-season fatigue. Where was the creative flair in dish presentation? Why did one have to dine soon after opening time in order not to miss those dishes which were proving the most popular?
Having said this we were well pleased by the size and comfort of our 'superior, sea-view' room and by the quietness of both hotel and grounds.
The staff we met from chambermaids 'upwards' were uniformly welcoming, pleasant, helpful and friendly. Wanting a restful week, the relative isolation of Marbella, its closeness to the sea and the absence of noise inside and outside the hotel (especialy round the three pools) was a distinct pleasure.
Overall, we both adjudge Marbella as a clear 4* resort ... but with the restaurant warrenting no higher than an indifferent 3*.
Max & Edith Carpenter
Travel operator: thomas cook
18 years 6 months ago
Stayed here for our 4th anniversary & was very pleased that the view of & from the hotel met with all the detailed web-site shots.
We stayed All inclusive & perhaps expected too much, from previous experiences in other hotels we've visited- as this hotel only half heartedly attempts to cater for holidaymakers that choose this type of package deal.
Unfortunately we felt a little "herded into the corner" as the hotel only offered its "free-all in" deal at one bar area at the ground level of the hotel & food from one restaurant.
As described by fellow visitors, the hotel is on many levels so expect a traipse backwards n forwards with the freebies or pay as we did...so bring yr wallet along for drinks, or roller boots !!
The hotel itself was beautiful, very spacious & decorated to a high standard inside and the gardens were a credit to the grounds people.
My comments about the inclusive "exclusions" should only be taken as a small part about our overall experience here as the setting provides a lovely backdrop for a romantic breakaway.
We stayed All inclusive & perhaps expected too much, from previous experiences in other hotels we've visited- as this hotel only half heartedly attempts to cater for holidaymakers that choose this type of package deal.
Unfortunately we felt a little "herded into the corner" as the hotel only offered its "free-all in" deal at one bar area at the ground level of the hotel & food from one restaurant.
As described by fellow visitors, the hotel is on many levels so expect a traipse backwards n forwards with the freebies or pay as we did...so bring yr wallet along for drinks, or roller boots !!
The hotel itself was beautiful, very spacious & decorated to a high standard inside and the gardens were a credit to the grounds people.
My comments about the inclusive "exclusions" should only be taken as a small part about our overall experience here as the setting provides a lovely backdrop for a romantic breakaway.
Travel operator: independent
Recommended
19 years 4 months ago
Just returned from this international hotel,the food was lovely,varied dishes over the two week stay,although breakfast could of been better.
No show cooking. The hotel was spotless and views to die for from every angle of the hotel was a view of ocean,and lovely scenery.
Location was quiet,a couple of tavernas at the bottom of the hotels very very steep hill. If you've not got toned calf muscles before your hols you certainly will have after. Definatly not a place for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Drinks are very very expensive,heard lots of people say the same,At the bottom of the hill are a couple of cheap shops that sell everthing you need.They are helpful and friendly, and the travernas are also half the price of the hotel.
Entertainment is very good,infact its the best weve come across in the last few years.Not everyones choice im sure but it certainly got the people watching.
If you wanted a lively resort then only five minutes in a taxi to the next resort Moratika was a busier place,costing just 7 euros to get there.
Pool lovely,beach fantastic,would of preferred more space around the pool when it was busy,but you could escape to the beach.
Nice hotel but would only put it as a 4 * not 5*
No show cooking. The hotel was spotless and views to die for from every angle of the hotel was a view of ocean,and lovely scenery.
Location was quiet,a couple of tavernas at the bottom of the hotels very very steep hill. If you've not got toned calf muscles before your hols you certainly will have after. Definatly not a place for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Drinks are very very expensive,heard lots of people say the same,At the bottom of the hill are a couple of cheap shops that sell everthing you need.They are helpful and friendly, and the travernas are also half the price of the hotel.
Entertainment is very good,infact its the best weve come across in the last few years.Not everyones choice im sure but it certainly got the people watching.
If you wanted a lively resort then only five minutes in a taxi to the next resort Moratika was a busier place,costing just 7 euros to get there.
Pool lovely,beach fantastic,would of preferred more space around the pool when it was busy,but you could escape to the beach.
Nice hotel but would only put it as a 4 * not 5*
Travel operator: airtours prestige
Recommended
20 years 4 months ago
My girlfriend and I went to the Marbella for a relaxing week ahead of taking our kids for a week elsewhere and found it to be very very pleasant and luxurious. Lots of nice areas to sit and relax and sip a cool drink. The beach bar was especially good with very friendly service. The pool, albeit saltwater, is good with various areas to sunbathe depending on how near or far from the activity you want to be. The food could be better - you don't really expect buffet style at 5 star hotels. There are not many restaurants and bars within walking distance but the facilities at the hotel make up for this. I would definately recommend the Marbella Hotel and would go again.
Travel operator: independant
Recommended
20 years 4 months ago
Facilities were excellent. Large room, huge beds, efficient aircon. genuine a beautiful sea view. Unbelievably clean, with generally friendly efficient staff especially in the restaurant, where nothing was too much trouble.
Pool was excellent, and even though sea water was a delight to swim in (just don't swallow the water). Once again very very clean.
I was a bit put out re the cost of drinks, because even though 5 star, I felt the hotel was taking the micky at 15 euros for a G&T and small glass of beer.
My other concern was that to extend my room hire beyond 12 noon on our last day, through to 6pm, the hotel wanted 99 euros. (At least Dick Turpin wore a mask),
Only other critiscsm was the unbelievably steep hill up to the hotel, but to be fair we were warned of this in advance.
Pool was excellent, and even though sea water was a delight to swim in (just don't swallow the water). Once again very very clean.
I was a bit put out re the cost of drinks, because even though 5 star, I felt the hotel was taking the micky at 15 euros for a G&T and small glass of beer.
My other concern was that to extend my room hire beyond 12 noon on our last day, through to 6pm, the hotel wanted 99 euros. (At least Dick Turpin wore a mask),
Only other critiscsm was the unbelievably steep hill up to the hotel, but to be fair we were warned of this in advance.
Travel operator: Med Hotels
Recommended
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